Chief Executive Officer

About Convergence Convergence is the global network and leading advocate for blended finance, headquartered in Toronto, Canada. The organization operates globally with physical presence in Kenya, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the United States. As a not-for-profit corporation backed by multiple governments and internationally recognized philanthropies, Convergence is dedicated to advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement through increased private investment in emerging markets and developing economies. The organization operates with a budget of CAD 14 million (US$10 million) and maintains a team of 40 full-time staff members. Convergence serves over 200 member and partner institutions, whose more than 1,000 staff actively utilize the Convergence platform. The organization’s membership base includes private investors seeking to diversify their portfolios, businesses in need of capital, public agencies, and philanthropic foundations aiming to leverage their funds more effectively by mobilizing private capital for economic and social development. Convergence mobilizes private sector investment in emerging markets and developing economies by producing actionable data and guidance, convening key stakeholders, and accelerating investable solutions. The organization functions as a trusted market builder, data and intelligence provider, deal-flow platform, convenor, and design-stage funder. As an independent voice in the blended finance sector, Convergence is recognized for its practical orientation, integrity, and ability to connect diverse stakeholders across the public, private, and philanthropic sectors to advance sustainable development, climate action, and inclusive economic growth. About this Role Convergence is seeking an exceptional leader to guide the organization into its next chapter as the global network for blended finance. At a time when emerging markets and developing economies face widening financing gaps, and when public and philanthropic capital must be used more strategically to unlock private investment, Convergence has a distinctive opportunity to shape the future of investment and capital allocation for social and economic development. The firm is in sound financial position, with a diversified revenue profile and established donor and member relationships. The remit for the next CEO is to accelerate Convergence’s already-strong foundation as a trusted market builder, data and intelligence provider, deal-flow platform, convenor, and design-stage funder, advancing practical blended finance solutions that mobilize capital toward sustainable development, climate action, and inclusive economic growth. The CEO of Convergence will be responsible for the organization’s vision, strategy, leadership, management, and culture. The CEO will report to a Board of Directors currently comprised of five senior industry experts. With Board support and oversight, the CEO will set short- and long-range priorities that deepen value to members and funders, expand influence across the blended finance ecosystem, and strengthen financial sustainability. The CEO will ensure that Convergence continues to generate high-quality market intelligence, connect investors and transaction sponsors, support the design of innovative financing vehicles, and help make sustainable development opportunities more investible in emerging and developing markets. As Convergence’s lead ambassador and spokesperson, the CEO will build trust and momentum with a growing set of stakeholders, including governments, development finance institutions, institutional investors, philanthropic foundations, businesses, fund managers, and civil society partners while growing this global network. The CEO will lead a talented, geographically distributed team of 40 full-time employees, manage a budget of CAD 14 million (US$10 million), and shape an organizational culture that is collaborative, entrepreneurial, analytically rigorous, and highly responsive to the market. This leader will bring institutional investment experience, global credibility, and leadership experience, positioning Convergence to accelerate private capital mobilization at scale while maintaining the independence, integrity, and practical orientation that have made it a trusted resource for the blended finance community. The role will require meaningful international travel and the ability to engage credibly across public, private, and philanthropic sectors, with a particular focus on geographies where blended finance can unlock investment in climate resilience, sustainable infrastructure, financial inclusion, food systems, gender equality, and other high-impact development priorities. Responsibilities Set the strategic vision for the organization and continue to scan the horizon for new threats and opportunities Translate strategic vision into measurable goals, plans, and outcomes Lead and manage a globally dispersed team; develop leadership and succession plans for senior members of the team Serve as the organization’s global ambassador to the community of practice, investment networks, standard-setters, policymakers and media Cultivate a culture of excellence across multiple streams of interconnected work, several geographies, and a diverse staff Lead and manage all aspects of budget, ensuring the organization’s financial stability through strategic revenue-generating efforts, cost discipline, and long-term planning Create long-term relationships of trust and alignment with core funders, for whom Convergence manages significant resources Maintain a robust and transparent partnership with the board Identify emerging areas of risk to the firm’s reputation and stability and ensure that policies are in place to address those risks Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, including as a registrant of the Ontario Securities Commission Provide strategic guidance on Convergence’s communications, marketing, and media relations efforts, serving as a visible spokesperson and thought leader to strengthen the organization’s reputation, influence, and reach Maintain a strategic view of the evolving landscape and provide the necessary leadership to address emerging opportunities and risks Identify and actively engage with the sector’s key points of influence and continue to respond to the major gaps in the market Interrogate, on a continuing basis, how Convergence can stay on the forefront of the market by evolving its offerings and its engagement strategy Oversee Convergence’s organizational budget, team, partnerships, programs, and operating model, ensuring that resources are aligned with mission, impact, and long-term sustainability Shape and support all aspects of Convergence’s platform: delivering actionable data and market intelligence, strengthening membership engagement, expanding investor and deal-sponsor connectivity, advancing accelerator offerings, cultivating funder relationships, and elevating Convergence’s voice as the leading field builder for blended finance in emerging markets and developing economies Maintain a visible presence with Convergence’s members, funders, partners, and staff across key global markets Requirements Extensive experience in development finance, international investment or investment advisory experience, preferably in emerging and developing economies, and a personal commitment to the end-goal of improving people’s lives Demonstrated experience with private sector capital structures, structuring and deal making experience highly preferred Business leadership in organizations (specifically corporations and/or non-profits) with P&L responsibility is required; experience managing budgets, people, communications and strategy Experience in managing high performing, dispersed teams and leading organizational culture Demonstrated people skills, including the ability to build and manage a global team, motivate staff, and create an environment that maximizes individuals’ contributions and growth A broad network within investment and development circles and a referenceable track record of capital raising Experience operating globally with an understanding of the different contexts in which Convergence operates, and the political, economic, regulatory and cultural differences relevant to the organization’s work Confident and credible external spokesperson, with strong public speaking skills and experience engaging with media; formal media training is considered an asset Significant communications experience, ideally in global settings, both internally and externally with governments, development finance institutions, business leaders, business audiences, funders, and stakeholders globally Experience leading institutional and policy dialogues at a high level, with experience engaging with governments, corporations, institutional investors, philanthropies, civil society, and other relevant stakeholders to galvanize action An entrepreneurial mindset that connects themes, identifies opportunities for collaboration, and generates new ideas for Convergence and the blended finance field Experience delivering high value to a membership model or in a business that delivers insights, advice, and collaboration is desired Experience working effectively with a Board of Directors, including supporting governance, building transparent and trust-based board relationships, engaging directors as strategic thought partners, and ensuring the Board has the information, context, and candor needed to exercise appropriate oversight and help advance the organization’s mission Technology-savvy to address both the opportunities and risks proffered by artificial intelligence and deliver the necessary efficiencies and cost-effectiveness available through the deployment of applicable technologies Experience fundraising from philanthropic, government or corporate sources is desired Willingness to travel and represent the organization globally and connect directly with members and partners; travel would represent approximately one-third of the leader’s time Respect for diversity, including not only the team’s personal characteristics, but also global perspectives, and a diversity of viewpoints held by the many people and institutions with which Convergence works Deep mission alignment and personal integrity, and an ability to model and reinforce the organizational culture ensuring behaviors, norms, and decision-making processes reflect the values of the institution Strategic thinking ability with understanding of how asset owners and asset managers structure deals and partner to impact emerging markets development Vibrant networks from the complex stakeholder system of governments, development finance institutions, private sector players and corporations that provide funding for emerging markets projects and opportunities Experience cultivating a healthy existing donor, member and partner revenue base while continuing to diversify revenue, ensuring the organization’s ability to increase its impact Growth mindset and innovative leadership approach Benefits No benefits information was specified in the job description #J-18808-Ljbffr