POSITION SUMMARY:
The Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) is a vital role within The Rainforest Alliance's global executive leadership team, reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer. This role is created to (i) drive the organization's commercial strategy and delivery to ensure long-term financial sustainability, (ii) identify market opportunities and build the organization's brand through strategic marketing and communications, and (iii) foster relationships with key stakeholders across a broad spectrum of sources.
Rainforest Alliance aims to substantially grow our impact through scalable and repeatable products, with a core focus on agricultural certification. The CCO will lead teams in marketing, corporate affairs, advocacy, sales & relationship management, and consultancy services. This executive will work closely with the Chief Product Officer to ensure product development aligns with current and future revenue opportunities while advancing the organization's vision and mission.
We are looking for an experienced executive leader, with confirmed commercial expertise and strategic insight. An enterprise leader who is a team player and brings market-driven thinking, entrepreneurial spirit, and a collaborative approach to the organization.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Commercial Strategy Development
Develop and implement comprehensive commercial strategies to achieve the organization's mission and financial goals
Focus attention on the core offer of certification of agricultural practices in tropical regions
Identify new market opportunities for growth and expansion
Sales and Marketing Leadership
Lead and manage the sales and marketing teams to drive growth and increase brand visibility
Build and strengthen existing stakeholder relationships while cultivating new prospective partnerships
Grow the Rainforest Alliance brand in established, new, and emerging markets
Oversee strategic marketing initiatives to position Rainforest Alliance as a leader in sustainability
Communications and Advocacy
Lead internal and external communications teams to ensure consistent and effective messaging
Oversee media management, risk mitigation, and reputation management
Develop and implement communication strategies including press, PR, and event management
Lead the advocacy team working on both European and global policy changes
Develop advocacy strategies to influence policy and drive positive change in key areas of interest
Product Development Collaboration
Work closely with the Chief Product Officer to create new offerings and solutions
Align product development with commercial opportunities and strategic priorities
Stakeholder Engagement and Relationship Management
Engage effectively with corporate partners, industry groups, and other relevant organizations
Represent the organization's commercial interests in multi-stakeholder initiatives
Financial Management
Monitor and manage the organization's commercial financial performance
Support financial teams in budgeting, forecasting, and reporting
Drive revenue growth and cost optimization across commercial operations
Team Management and Development
Lead, mentor, and develop a significant team within the organization
Foster strong leadership, delivery ethos, creative thinking, and entrepreneurial mindset
Create a collaborative environment that drives innovation and results
Cultivate a high-performance culture aligned with organizational values
Market Analysis and Research
Conduct market research and analysis to identify trends, opportunities, and challenges
Improve commercial performance, particularly in consultancy services and relationship management
Monitor competitive landscape and industry developments
Translate market intelligence into actionable commercial strategies
Executive Leadership
Work with the executive leadership team to ensure the organization is delivering against its strategic goals
Represent Rainforest Alliance at high-level external events, conferences, and meetings to enhance its profile
QUALIFICATIONS:
Demonstrated ability (15+ years' proven experience) with a progressive career including 5 years of senior leadership experience in commercial roles, preferably within both the corporate and NGO sectors
Track record of successfully developing and implementing commercial strategies that drive organizational growth and sustainability
Deep understanding of sustainability markets, innovation & supply chain (FMCG) essential, preferably with knowledge of agricultural certification systems
Experience leading marketing, communications, sales, and advocacy functions in complex, multi-stakeholder environments essential
Strong financial acumen with experience in revenue generation, budget management, and financial planning
Proven ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders across global supply chains
Experience with international organizations as well as a multi-office, multi-national environment
Excellent English written and oral communication skills with direct experience working with and presenting to boards
Collaborative management and working style with a diverse workforce
Strong leadership and managerial skills with ability to delegate, train, coach and motivate staff
Ability to handle multiple priorities and problem solve in a dynamic, growing organization
Excellence in cross-functional collaboration and strong team player
Ability to influence, empower and work with a variety of internal and external stakeholders
Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Communications, or a related field; Master's degree or MBA preferred
Passion for sustainability, a strong leader with a results-oriented mindset
Commitment to the Rainforest Alliance's mission and values