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Chief Executive Officer, European Cyclists’ Federation
About ECF
ECF is the single European umbrella federation of member-based civil society organisations advocating and working for more and better cycling. With around 70 members from over 40 countries, we harness the power of the cycling movements in Europe and - increasingly – globally.
What we do
You can read more about our recent work and achievements in this article [3] and in our latest Annual Report [4].
How we contribute to lasting positive change
At ECF we know that achieving the significant and lasting change that enables more and better cycling, and which delivers the corresponding positive societal impacts, is a complex process. Greatly increased levels of cycling require public investment in more, better and safer cycling infrastructure. They require policies and laws that enable and boost active mobility. Equally important is a strong civil society movement that advocates for change and a shift in culture and behaviour in favour of more cycling.
The change we want to see involves various actors and will occur in different ways and at different speeds in different countries. While in a small number of places cycling is already a dominant way of life, most places have a much longer way to go and much to learn to become true cycling countries, regions and cities.
ECF plays a key role in driving, influencing and facilitating this change. To do this, we bring together all the stakeholders of the cycling world to make the case for cycling. We work to change attitudes, policies and budget allocations in favour of more and better cycling. We stimulate and organise the work of the cyclists’ movement, and we encourage and coordinate the exchange of knowledge on bicycle-related policies and strategies.
Our key advocacy areas
Our advocacy programme is geared towards achieving progress on our ambitious 2020-2030 strategy and is grouped into the following workstreams:
Our high-level goals (as defined in the ECF 2020-2030 strategy)
Responsibilities of the CEO
Working from our headquarters in Brussels, the CEO will work closely with our motivated and committed Board that has been elected by our members and lead a skilled and passionate team of around 30 staff and interns who work across the areas of:
An experienced, values-driven leader, the CEO will ensure the implementation of ECF’s strategy designed by the ECF board and approved by its members.
The CEO will coach and manage our team to fulfil their potential, develop the organisation’s goals and annual plans, actively engage with members and networks, represent the organisation publicly at the highest levels, lead fundraising activities and further shape and develop the organisation and its culture.
Specific responsibilities include:
Strategy
People, values and culture
Members and networks
Fundraising and business development
Advocacy and external representation
Programme delivery
Operations
Governance
Who are we looking for?
Academic background
● Essential: You have at least a Master’s degree in a relevant field.
Professional background
● Essential: You have at least one of the following:
o At least 10 years of management experience, with strong operational and financial management skills demonstrated in a senior role.
o At least 10 years’ experience in senior leadership roles in civil society advocacy NGOs or industry trade associations, ideally with a broad diversity of members/stakeholders and geographies.
o At least 10 years’ experience in senior leadership roles in transnational agencies, national or local government administrations, government ministries, agencies, or similar.
o At least 10 years’ experience working in a senior role in the mobility, cycling or climate policy field at global, European, national or local level.
● Desirable:
o Experience in advocacy and campaigning in EU and/or other transnational and global policymaking environments (e.g. UNECE, UNFCCC, etc).
o Experience of working in different countries / multinational and multicultural organisations.
Competencies, skills and attributes
● A highly motivated individual with strong ethical standards and an open-minded, proactive, results-oriented personality
● Strong commitment to ECF’s mission to promote cycling as a sustainable and healthy form of transport and leisure
● An effective, inspiring and empowering people manager and leader
● Excellent communications, interpersonal and networking skills
● Effective business developer with a successful fundraising track record
● Proven financial, resource management and risk management skills
● Experience with recruitment and people development
● A resilient person who can multitask and set priorities
● Political and cultural sensitivity and awareness
● An accomplished and engaging public speaker
● Willingness and ability to travel, and flexibility in terms of travel and working hours as required.
Languages
● Essential: High degree of proficiency in English (spoken and written)
● Desirable: Additional languages are an asset
What do we offer?
You will lead the world’s largest and best-known cyclists’ federation and promote cycling as one of the most healthy, most climate-friendly and efficient means of transport and leisure.
Your position will be based in a nice office located in the heart of Brussels full of friendly, passionate and international colleagues.
ECF offers an employment package in line with similar non-governmental organisations based in Brussels. Our package includes 20 legal vacation days and 10 extra-legal vacation days, cycling-to-work allowance, lunch vouchers and an extra-legal pension scheme.
Candidates must be eligible to work in the EU and able and willing to live and work in Belgium.
For this role we are also willing to consider an independent contractor arrangement, provided all relevant legal requirements are met.
The successful candidate should ideally be able to start by 1 September 2025 at the latest.
How to apply
Please submit your CV and a cover letter in English in one PDF document to hr@ecf.com [5] with the subject line ”First Name Last Name - ECF CEO” no later than Sunday 4 May 2025.
Early applications are encouraged, as we will evaluate applications on a rolling basis.
A first round of in-person interviews in Brussels is scheduled for Sunday 18 and Monday 19 May 2025, please confirm your availability on one or both of these dates. A second round may be scheduled at a later date.
All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.
We would like to thank all interested candidates in advance. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
For further information, contact Jill Warren - CEO (j.warren@ecf.com [6]) or Henk Swarttouw - President (h.swarttouw@ecf.com [7]).
Click here [8]to see the full application pack.
Equal opportunity
ECF is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from all qualified candidates irrespective of racial or ethnic origin, opinions or beliefs, gender, sexual orientation, health or disabilities
Do not forget to mention that you found this job ad on the Euractiv Jobsite!
Links:
[1] http://www.eurovelo.com/
[2] https://www.velo-city-conference.com/
[3] https://www.ecf.com/en/news/-2024-a-year-of-breakthroughs-for-cycling/
[4] https://www.ecf.com/media/resources/2024/ECF_Annual_Report_2023.pdf
[5] mailto:hr@ecf.com
[6] mailto:j.warren@ecf.com
[7] mailto:h.swarttouw@ecf.com
[8] https://www.ecf.com/en/about-us/vacancies-tenders/