Executive Director, Stichting Ipas Europe (Europe Based role)

Ipas•Chapel Hill, NC

6d•Remote

About The Position

The Stichting Ipas Europe Executive Director provides high level and strategic leadership to meet the goals of Ipas Europe, which are aligned with the mission of the Ipas Impact Network. The Executive Director develops the Ipas Europe strategy and action plans, with a focus on building strong partnerships and leading significant new business development efforts in Europe, aimed at achieving the Ipas Network mission. The Executive Director models a deep commitment to reproductive justice, including human rights, abortion rights, gender equity, and diversity and inclusion. S/he is the primary Ipas representative in Europe and works to maintain Ipas’s technical leadership and foster strong collaboration with diverse partners and donors in the region. The Executive Director works collaboratively with other Network nodes and promotes shared leadership, trust, and non-hierarchical approaches, learning and collaboration. S/he ensures good stewardship of funding and adherence to the Ipas Network mission, values, and standards. The Director, IPAS Europe will lead the organization’s external relations, partnerships, and resource mobilization strategy across Europe, positioning the region as a critical funding and influence hub for IPAS’s global mission. The role is responsible for deepening relationships with key European government donors while strategically expanding engagement with foundations, philanthropies, and emerging funding ecosystems to diversify and grow the organization’s resource base. As the senior representative of IPAS in Europe, the Director will cultivate high-value partnerships, unlock new funding opportunities, and elevate IPAS’s visibility and credibility across the European donor landscape. This role will steward and strengthen existing institutional relationships while proactively identifying new partners and platforms that can accelerate long-term, sustainable funding for IPAS’s work globally. Working closely with IPAS global leadership and the boards of the Europe and UK entities, the Director will also provide strategic oversight of the IPAS Europe platforms ensuring strong governance, fiduciary integrity, and institutional alignment. A key mandate of the role is to strategically mobilize and grow funding from Europe, positioning Ipas Europe as a critical platform for securing resources and channeling them effectively to advance Ipas’s programs across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Overall, the role will guide the next phase of growth for IPAS Europe—shaping a forward-looking partnerships and fundraising strategy that expands the organization’s reach, influence, and impact across the global reproductive health and rights ecosystem.

Requirements

A deep commitment to sexual and reproductive health and rights, especially abortion and contraception rights.
Demonstrated capacity to successfully advocate for reproductive health and rights, despite challenges and opposition.
Strategic thinker with the ability to identify and advance new funding opportunities and partnerships.
Established networks and proven experience in strategic fundraising, donor engagement, and partnership development within the European donor landscape.
Strong track record working with government development agencies, international donors, philanthropic foundations, corporates, impact investors and new and innovative financing - with the ability to mobilize significant institutional funding flows.
Experience operating within international organizations and multi-entity structures, with the ability to navigate governance, compliance, and funding oversight requirements.
Proven success in stewardship of funds and program management, including project design, work planning, budgeting, monitoring, and problem solving.
Proven success in raising funds from government donors, foundations, and other sources including corporates, impact investors and new and innovative financing, especially those based in Europe.
Commitment to shared leadership and non-hierarchical working approaches.
Strategic relationship builder with strong stakeholder management skills.
Brings an entrepreneurial approach to fundraising and partnerships, with a deep commitment to advancing women’s health and rights globally.
Able to work independently.
Professional-level fluency in English (speaking, reading, and writing); Fluency in Spanish, French or Portuguese desirable.
Masters level degree or higher preferred, in public health, medicine, international development, gender, policy, public administration, or related studies i.e. International Business Management.
Minimum of 10 years of increasing leadership and management responsibility, with passion and commitment to work in the reproductive health or rights sector.
Previous senior leadership experience, preferably in the SRHR sector and/or for an international NGO.

Nice To Haves

Understanding of SRHR and especially abortion programming in Africa, Latin America, and Asia – will be preferred.

Responsibilities

Leadership Position Ipas as a sector leader in reproductive justice and a partner of choice in Europe.
Ensure that Ipas Europe has a clear strategic plan, in line with the Ipas Impact Network’s global mission and global strategy.
Work closely with the Ipas Europe Board to ensure strong governance and strategic planning.
Ensure that the Ipas Europe programming meets Ipas’ global quality standards.
Build and lead an extended Ipas Europe team of partners, allies, consultants and/or staff, dedicated to fulfilling the Ipas Impact Network mission.
Model Ipas values.
Management Ensure that Ipas Europe has strong operational and management systems and practices, including work plans, budgets, and regular progress reviews.
Manage and motivate a high performing team.
Ensure compliance with donor contracts, including programmatic, operational and financial aspects.
Ensure robust financial and management systems are in place to support achievement of desired results, as well as to support good stewardship of funding and risk management.
Uphold responsibility for safeguarding the Ipas Europe reputation, physical and intellectual assets.
Ensure compliance with registration, tax, human resources, and other relevant local laws.
Manage vendors and service providers.
Work with Ipas Impact Network staff and the Ipas Europe board on fundraising initiatives and events.
External relations and resource mobilization Represent Ipas and its mission in Europe.
Lead in information gathering and sharing and advocacy for reproductive justice in the region, including advocacy with governments and other donors to increase their engagement and funding in reproductive justice.
Build partnerships and maintain robust collaboration with European donors, government agencies, embassies, corporates, impact investors, philanthropies and foundations, INGOs, local organizations, academic and educational institutions, media, and other stakeholders.
Build Ipas Network intelligence on key trends and opportunities in Europe.
Lead new business development initiatives, as per the regional strategic plan.
Oversee external communications, including the website, newsletters, and social media.