Senior Portfolio Manager SR Foundation

Position: Corporate Development Manager

Department: Strategic & Top Management

Industry: Insurance / Sustainability / Social Impact

Employment Type: Full Time, Permanent

Role Category: Strategic Management

About the Role

As Senior Manager, you will lead the development and execution of the Climate Solutions portfolio within the Foundation. With full ownership of the topical strategy, budget management (CHF 10 million), and partner pipeline, your role will drive measurable societal impact, particularly in the areas of Nature-based Solutions and Disaster Risk Reduction.

You will work closely with project partners throughout implementation, ensuring high-quality delivery and effective impact reporting. As a compelling storyteller, you will also translate data and field insights into powerful narratives to engage internal and external stakeholders.

This is a strategic, hands-on leadership role, requiring global collaboration and deep subject-matter expertise in sustainability and social innovation.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Portfolio Management

• Define the Climate Solutions strategy, aligned with the Foundation's long-term goals.
• Lead and manage a CHF 10M+ budget for the 2025–2027 strategic cycle.
• Develop evidence-based approaches and scalable business models in climate resilience.
• Shape for-impact investing approaches to complement traditional grantmaking.
• Streamline and align support models for entrepreneurial climate solutions.
• Actively mentor and guide team members; review and support grant assessments.

2. Pipeline Development & Project Management

• Identify, assess, and submit 3–5 high-impact projects annually for board review.
• End-to-end ownership of project lifecycle—from due diligence to contract negotiation.
• Support partners during implementation, troubleshoot challenges, and ensure alignment with goals.
• Continuously refine tools, frameworks, and platforms used for impact measurement and reporting.

3. Stakeholder Engagement & Communication

• Represent the Foundation at global platforms and within climate and sustainability ecosystems.
• Build and maintain partnerships with key stakeholders, internal teams (e.g., Group Sustainability), and external coalitions.
• Support volunteer engagement across global Swiss Re offices, creating opportunities aligned with climate themes.
• Lead communication efforts alongside the Foundation's communications lead, showcasing impact stories and insights.

About You

• 15+ years of experience in the social development, sustainability, or climate innovation space, ideally within a corporate or social enterprise/start-up ecosystem.
• Postgraduate degree in Environmental Sciences, Sustainability, Social Development, or related fields preferred.
• Proven track record in impact-focused portfolio management, including selection, support, and reporting of grantees/investees.
• Strong familiarity with climate scenarios, disaster risk reduction, and Nature-based Solutions.
• Experience with for-impact investing models and social innovation scaling strategies.
• Comfortable engaging with global leadership teams and influencing through data-driven insights.
• Excellent project management, problem-solving, and strategic thinking skills.
• A natural storyteller who can articulate complex impact narratives to diverse audiences.
• Highly collaborative, with the ability to navigate cross-cultural and cross-functional environments.
• High energy, self-motivated, and unafraid to roll up your sleeves and take initiative.

Education

UG: Any Graduate

PG: Any Postgraduate (Preferred: Environmental / Sustainability / Social Sciences)