Spain Director

ABOUT MADRE BRAVA

Madre Brava is an international climate organization with the vision to achieve 100% sustainable, healthy, affordable food for all.

Our mission is to protect people, animals and the planet by leading a bold shift to more plants in food.

We do so by persuading companies and governments to adopt policies that rebalance protein sales in line with the Planetary Health Diet.

We are a mission-driven, solution-focused team that navigates complexity through collaboration, empathy, and a commitment to impact. As a remote, startup-like organization, we move with agility and strategic risk-taking, grounded in a culture of autonomy, trust, transparency, and accountability.

At Madre Brava, we believe the way we work is as important as what we work on.

For more information, visit www.madrebrava.org     

ABOUT THE ROLE

Madre Brava is seeking a Spain Director to begin our advocacy and engagement in the region, with a specific focus on shifting Spanish food policy and corporate commitments away from industrial meat production and toward sustainable proteins (plant-based, precision fermentation, and cell-based).

The role presents an exciting opportunity to lead transformational work in a high-impact, globally connected organization.

The Spain Director will scope and drive high-impact policy engagement, corporate campaigns, and strategic communications to transform Spain’s food system. This role will work across government, businesses, media, and civil society to create a supportive environment for protein diversification and systemic shifts in food production.

The Spain Director will also be a budget holder, responsible for managing the financial aspects of projects and ensuring resources are allocated effectively. Additionally, this role will contribute to fundraising efforts, including engagement with grant-making foundations, donor relationship management, and reporting on project progress.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership and Advocacy (50%)

• Lead Madre Brava’s Spain strategy to influence food system transformation through policy, corporate engagement, and public advocacy.
• Identify and lead high-impact policy interventions in collaboration with think tanks, NGOs, and advocacy groups.
• Direct corporate campaigns aimed at securing commitments from major retailers, food manufacturers, and restaurant chains to transition away from industrial meat.
• Represent Madre Brava at government meetings, industry summits, and public forums to advance sustainable protein policies.
• Build coalitions with civil society organizations advocating for sustainable food systems.
• Engage with major Spain food companies, supermarkets, and food service providers to drive industry-wide shifts toward sustainable proteins.
• Negotiate corporate commitments to rebalance protein sales in line with the Planetary Health Diet.

Management & Team Leadership (15%)

• Manage one employee (and consultants), ensuring effective coordination and strategic execution of projects.
• Provide leadership, mentorship, and support to team members, fostering a collaborative and high-impact work environment.

Strategic Communications & Public Narrative Change (15%)

• Collaborate with the Global Director of Communication to engage with leading Spain journalists, editors, and media outlets to drive positive coverage of alternative proteins and food system reform.

• Act as a spokesperson for Madre Brava in key public discussions on food, climate, and sustainability in Spain.

Policy & Research (10%)

• Map out the Spain government’s role in food and climate policy to identify strategic advocacy entry points.
• Collaborate with Global Research Director to conduct and oversee research on Spain policy levers to support alternative proteins, including public procurement, trade regulations, and environmental policies.
• Analyze corporate policies related to sustainability, health, and animal welfare to assess gaps and opportunities for change, with the support of the Global Research Director.

Budget & Financial Management (5%)

• Serve as a budget holder, ensuring responsible financial management of allocated funds for the program.
• Oversee project expenditures, tracking costs to align with grant agreements and financial plans.

Fundraising & Grant Management (5%)

• Support grant-making efforts and fundraising activities, including engaging with foundations, donors, and philanthropic partners.
• Participate in grant proposal development, donor reporting, and funding negotiations.
• Establish relationships with potential funders, sponsors, and partners to expand Madre Brava’s impact in Europe.

ABOUT YOU

You are a mission-driven leader, obsessed with impact. You have a proven track record in corporate campaigning and policy advocacy within food systems, climate and/or sustainability. You should have a strong understanding of the Spain’s food policy and corporate sustainability commitments, along with the ability to influence key stakeholders and drive impactful change at the national level.

You are a self-starter that is energized by autonomy and accountability and thrives in a start-up environment. You are comfortable building as you go with just-enough process and making informed decisions with minimal hierarchy, and you seek out feedback as a tool for growth. You work collaboratively, value connectedness, and approach partnerships with humility and curiosity.

You’re ready to roll up your sleeves to both lead and implement work directly, recognizing that strong leadership is grounded in action, adaptability, and a commitment to values-led change. You see culture as a shared responsibility and intentionally foster a relationship-based, supportive environment where both people and impact thrive. You are as committed to how we work together as you are to what we accomplish.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of experience in policy, corporate engagement, advocacy, or program leadership in food systems, climate, or sustainability.
• Strong knowledge of alternative proteins, sustainable food systems, and the role of industrial meat production in climate change.
• Experience influencing Spanish policymakers, with an understanding of key government institutions and food policy frameworks.
• Proven ability to build partnerships with corporate leaders, government officials, and civil society organizations.
• Strategic media and communications expertise, with experience shaping public narratives and securing press coverage.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and manage complex advocacy campaigns or research projects.
• Experience managing project budgets and ensuring financial accountability.
• Fundraising experience, including working with grantors, writing proposals, and securing funding.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills, with the ability to balance strategic vision with execution.
• Fluency in Spanish and English is required.
• Commitment to Madre Brava’s values of bravery, collaboration, and strategic disruption in food systems.

APPOINTMENT TERMS

Location: Spain. Preferably remotely based in Madrid or nearby with easy access to central Madrid. Existing right to work in Spain required.

Reports to: Chief Program Officer

Salary and Benefits: €80,000- 108,000 gross per annum.

At Madre Brava, we place new hires within a published salary band using a transparent, performance-based rubric informed by interviews, references, and work samples. This system is designed to support long-term development, not to maximize immediate earnings, ensuring room for financial growth as team members deepen their skills, take on greater responsibility, and embody our values. Madre Brava shares all salary bands, scoring guidelines, and clear pathways for progression to promote equity, clarity, and excellence in service of our mission.

Contract length: Full-time employee, permanent with a six-month probation period.

Equal Employment Opportunity                 

Madre Brava offers equal employment opportunity to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, or marital status. We are committed to a diverse and culturally inclusive workplace.

HOW TO APPLY

Closing date: 17^th August 2025

To apply please click ‘Apply Now’ above

Candidates are kindly asked to submit a CV of no more than four (04) pages and a cover letter, preferably in MS Word. All application documents (cover letter and CV) should be submitted in English.

Should you require access to information in a different format to facilitate your application please contact us via [email protected]

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Red Sea is committed to meeting the standards set out in our Equality and Diversity statement, acting in line with the UK Equalities Act 2010 and building an accurate picture of the make-up of the workforce in encouraging equality and diversity.