About the Role
As ProVeg International’s first Chief Operating Officer, you will shape and lead the lean, efficient, service operating model of a fast-growing network spanning more than 14 countries.
ProVeg is ready to scale to the next level. This requires strong operating-model design and leadership to strengthen our operational engine, support network growth, and increase efficiency across global functions. Working with the CEO and as a full member of the Senior Leadership Team, you will build global systems, services, and ways of working that enable senior leaders and country teams to focus on strategy, fundraising, and external impact.
During your first 6–12 months, you will assess and strengthen ProVeg’s operating model, clarify decision rights across the network, and establish a clear service and collaboration model for country offices and international departments. You will also lead the headquarters consolidation, advance the development of IT and People & Culture as effective global functions, and establish clearer baselines for service quality, cost-efficiency, and organisational risk.
Reporting to the Global CEO, leading the Heads of People & Culture, Operations and IT, and partnering closely with the Director of Finance, you will help our independent entities operate as a coherent, well-run whole. You will use data, automation, and evidence to improve efficiency without losing the local agility that makes ProVeg effective. You will lead by example — creating clarity and trust, developing your team, and enabling colleagues across countries and functions to succeed together.
Job Details
- Reports to: Global CEO; as member of SLT
- Direct reports: Head of People & Culture, Head of Operations, Head of IT
- Closely working with: SLT and Director of Finance
- Location: Fully remote. We welcome candidates globally who possess the permanent right to work in their country of residence and are able to follow a working timetable that ideally includes core collaboration hours of 10am–4pm CET.
- Hours: 35–40 hours per week
- Salary: €60–80k (dependent on experience, hours, and location)
When
- Application deadline: 15.09.2026
- Start date: November 2026
Responsibilities
Operating model, governance & the network
- Own and evolve ProVeg’s operating model and the global infrastructure that lets its independent legal entities collaborate smoothly. Set clear decision rights and accountabilities, develop future-proofing systems, processes, and standards so the network operates reliably and is scalable, balancing global consistency with the local autonomy country offices need.
- Build and own the network’s service and collaboration model, including a clear catalogue of central services and reciprocal Collaboration Agreements. Ensure that these services deliver greater value to country offices and international departments at a sustainable cost, and continually improve core functions through better processes, coordination, and appropriate use of AI and automation.
- Own the organisation-wide approach to risk, compliance, and governance across ProVeg’s legal entities, including data protection, trademark management, legal compliance, and board-governance support. Ensure that these foundations protect the network and support confident, well-informed decision-making.
- Deliver the headquarters consolidation and the transition of IT and People & Culture into best-in-class global functions. Lead this organisation-wide change at pace and with care, securing engagement at all levels through fair, timely, and transparent communication with stakeholders.
A lean, responsive centre
- Run a lean, cost-effective centre by improving operating ratios and overall cost-efficiency. Establish effective internal oversight of service contracts and procurement, reduce duplication, and build network-wide synergies while safeguarding the quality of core services.
- Transform the planning cycle including OKRs and budgeting, so that it connects strategy, insights, and impact. Keep the process user-friendly, outcome-focused, and genuinely useful to the planning teams.
- Drive the responsible use of AI, automation, data and analytics, IT systems, and process optimisation across the organisation, working with the Head of IT, Chief of Staff, and Head of Operations. Automate repetitive work where appropriate to free capacity for higher-value effort and improve organisation-wide coordination.
- Act as the organisation’s operational engine in a shifting environment, translating fast-changing strategic decisions into coordinated practical action as external conditions and donor priorities evolve. Resolve operational issues, communicate emerging risks early, and enable the Board and Senior Leadership Team to maintain their focus on strategy, fundraising, and external representation.
Leadership, people & strategy
- Lead and develop the operational leadership team — the Heads of People & Culture, Operations, and IT. Build a high-performing, collaborative team with clear priorities, roles, and standards, and enable each functional leader to take ownership of delivery and develop their functions.
- Partner with the Director of Finance to steward ProVeg’s financial health and long-term sustainability. Work closely with the Director of Finance on a strategy for the international finance function and a clear framework for country finance, strengthen finance as a strategic partner, and connect programme-impact assessment with financial data to support better decisions and more resilient funding.
- As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, help shape ProVeg’s strategy and turn agreed priorities into coordinated delivery. Communicate progress, risks, and trade-offs early and openly, foster a culture of trust, learning, and collaboration, and represent ProVeg externally where operational leadership is required.
Qualifications & Experience
Required:
- You bring senior operational leadership experience as a COO, Director of Operations, or in an equivalent role, with a track record of scaling operations in a complex, multi-entity, or international organisation.
- A relevant postgraduate study, such as a Master’s degree, MBA, or equivalent professional learning and senior leadership experience.
- You have led and integrated several organisational functions, such as Finance, People & Culture, IT, Legal, and Operations, and know how to align them around shared priorities and outcomes.
- You have built operating models, decision-rights frameworks, and governance arrangements that work across a distributed structure, and have delivered results within a matrixed organisation — ideally within an international federated network.
- You demonstrate strong change leadership, with experience delivering organisational transformation at scale while building trust, engagement, and ownership among those affected.
- You bring sound financial acumen, including experience with complex budgets, cost-efficiency, tender processes, and funding models, and are comfortable translating financial and impact data into decisions.
- You have experience overseeing legal, compliance, risk, and governance matters across multiple jurisdictions, working effectively with internal specialists and external advisers where needed.
- You demonstrate the ability to lead effectively across cultures, countries, and time zones, adapting your approach when evidence, feedback, or changing circumstances indicate a better path.
- You have a strong track record of managing and developing people, creating clarity and trust, and enabling others to take ownership and grow in their roles.
- You have basic AI literacy and are open towards responsible use of AI and automation tools to improve work processes.
- You communicate clearly and openly, including when navigating risk, uncertainty, or competing priorities or difficult trade-offs.
- You are fluent in written and spoken English.
Preferred:
- You have experience working in a mission-driven, non-profit, or international NGO environment.
- You have previously designed or developed a global service model or established global organisational functions.
- You have previous practical experience with using AI and automation tools to improve efficiency, insight, coordination, and reporting.
- You share a strong commitment to, or strong affinity with, ProVeg’s mission to transform the global food system towards plant-based and sustainable diets.
Benefits of Working With ProVeg
- A strong organisational focus on personal development, with a designated training budget.
- Provision of a work laptop.
- Flexible, trust-based working arrangements and home-office arrangements.
- Career development support.
- Mental health & wellbeing support via access to the OpenUp platform and a free Headspace subscription.
- We are a workplace that encourages everyone to bring their whole selves to work. We are an inclusive workplace for our diverse employees around the world.
- Generous annual leave entitlement with a minimum of 20–25 days plus public holidays (depending on the country).
- And, last but not least, become part of a great team and work with us towards a world where everyone chooses delicious and healthy food that is good for all humans, animals, and our planet!
Application Procedure
The recruitment process may include:
- First screening of applications
- Interview with People & Culture (30 mins)
- Job-related trial task (up to 90 mins)
- Second interview with the Senior Leadership Team (60 mins)
- Third interview with the Global CEO and Deputy CEO (60 mins)
Further Information
Please apply by submitting your CV and a cover letter including your motivation and describing how you meet the person specification. Even if you do not meet all the requirements, we still encourage you to apply. ProVeg supports and invests in staff growth and development.
We also request applicants to apply without attaching a photo or disclosing their date or place of birth.
If you are living with a disability, health condition, and/or neurodiversity, please feel free to let us know how we can adjust and support your application process. For example, we can offer alternative tools, different interview formats, or additional time for tasks.
Important: Please make sure to use your own words and ideas in the cover letter. The goal is for us to get to know you better in order to assess if this role and your motivation are a good fit. Letters written with AI, or written in a language other than English, will be disregarded.
For any questions about the role or application process, feel free to contact people-and-culture@proveg.org. (Please note: applications sent directly to this email address will not be considered. Kindly follow our official application process.)
