Koala Friendly Carbon Initiative General Manager

The Opportunity

We are seeking a founding General Manager of the Koala Friendly Carbon initiative (KFCI) – a nature-based investment platform, responsible for raising and deploying capital into a high-integrity carbon and biodiversity model where premium pricing and credibility are critical to viability. KFCI is a joint venture co-owned by Climate Friendly and WWF Australia.

About the Role

As the founding leader, the General Manager is accountable for guiding the organisation from establishment and capital raising through to operational delivery and scale, under the direction of the KFCI Board. Success in the first 12 months involves securing scale up capital and developing and operationalising the KFCI business plan.

This role combines investor leadership, organisational establishment, and operational execution, ensuring KFCI is both investment-ready and delivery-capable into high integrity carbon/nature market. The General Manager will lead engagement with prospective and secured investors, establish governance and operating systems that meet institutional requirements, support the delivery partners including Climate Friendly and WWF-Australia teams, and transition the organisation into a scaled delivery model.

This is a fixed-term, part-time opportunity (2–3 days per week) for an initial 12-month period, with potential for ongoing engagement subject to securing scale-up capital.

About You

• Proven capital raising experience, particularly with innovative impact capital, with ability to lead senior investor conversations and close funding
• Strong understanding of investment structures, fund governance, and compliance frameworks Demonstrated experience establishing or scaling investment-backed platforms, funds or early-stage organisations
• Track record of operating effectively at Board and executive stakeholder level and building alignment across stakeholders
• Strong commercial, financial and strategic capability, including structuring and risk assessment Ability to translate strategy into practical operating systems and delivery models
• High levels of initiative and comfort operating in ambiguous, early-stage environments
• Excellent communication and storytelling skills, with ability to engage and influence diverse stakeholders
• Understanding of the carbon farming scheme and emerging nature markets
• Must be willing and eligible to be appointed and maintain Authorised Representative status under our AFSL, including meeting all ongoing training and monitoring requirements
• Experience building trusted partnerships with Traditional Owners, land managers and regional stakeholders
• Credible, senior executive presence with strong judgement and accountability  
• Comfortable providing advice and making decisions in ambiguous and evolving contexts 
• Commercially astute, with a bias toward action and delivery  
• Systems thinker with ability to balance competing priorities and tensions, including investor needs, commercial viability, operational realities and commitments to high-integrity environmental and social outcomes 
• Collaborative and pragmatic, able to align multiple stakeholders and partners
• Resilient and adaptable, able to navigate complexity and evolving requirements  
• A respectful, relationship-centred approach to working with Traditional Owners and commitment to culturally respectful ways of working 

About The Koala Friendly Carbon Initiative

The Koala Friendly Carbon Initiative (KFCI) is a joint venture between WWF Australia and Climate Friendly, established to deliver large-scale, high-integrity carbon and nature projects. The company develops and manages environmental planting projects that restore koala habitat while generating Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs).

Operating as a nature-based investment platform, KFCI brings together capital, land managers, Traditional Owners and delivery partners to scale biodiversity restoration, create sustainable income streams, and deliver measurable climate and environmental outcomes.

Why Join Our Team?

• A hybrid workplace - work to your own rhythm and balance connection
• and productivity
• A supportive and inclusive environment that promotes diversity
• 2 all staff events a year to connect with your friends and
• colleagues
• Christmas holiday - 3 days of additional leave each year
• Floating public holidays
• Gender neutral paid parental leave
• 2 days each year for training / development / study leave

How to Apply

If this opportunity interests you, please apply through Seek and include a cover letter addressing the key selection criteria, along with your resume, by 24 July 2026.

Applications will be assessed on a rolling basis, and the position may close before the advertised closing date if a suitable candidate is appointed.

Privacy Notice: As the Koala Friendly Carbon Initiative is a joint venture between Climate Friendly and WWF-Australia, application information submitted for this role may be shared with relevant representatives from both organisations for the purposes of recruitment, assessment and selection.