Director of Operations | C40 x GCoM Joint Program (Maternity Cover)

Director of Operations | C40 x GCoM Joint Program (Maternity Cover)

Department

Business Planning, Measurement and Innovation

Employment Type

Fixed Term

Minimum Experience

Executive

Compensation

(Grade 1) Brazil (IC) USD 121,951 , UK GBP £92,767 (gross per annum)

Position title: Director of Operations | C40 x GCoM Joint Program (Maternity Cover)

Department: Business Planning, Measurement and Innovation

Reporting to: Deputy Executive Director

Location: Brazil & UK - Please note that if your right to work in one of the listed locations is not confirmed at the time of applying, C40 will be unable to proceed with your application. 

Salary: (Grade 1) Brazil (IC) USD 121,951 , UK GBP £92,767 gross per annum - Due to its commitment to maintain equity and fairness, C40 operates on a spot salary model. This means that our employees are paid the same salary according to their grade and location. 

Term: Fixed Term Contract – until 31st January 2027 (The appointment and the duration of the role are subject to the final approval of funding).

Background

C40 is a network of nearly 100 mayors of the world’s leading cities, who are working to deliver the urgent action needed right now to confront the climate crisis, and create a future where everyone, everywhere can thrive. Mayors of C40 cities are committed to using a science-based and people-focused approach to help the world limit global heating to 1.5°C and build healthy, equitable and resilient communities. Through a Global Green New Deal, mayors are working alongside a broad coalition of representatives from labour, business, the youth climate movement and civil society to go further and faster than ever before.

C40’s team of 400+ staff is based in offices in London, in New York, Johannesburg, Singapore, Delhi, Rio de Janeiro, Copenhagen, Beijing and Paris, and individual staff based across 25+ different locations.

The strategic direction of the organisation is determined by an elected Steering Committee of C40 mayors, which is chaired by Mayor Sadiq Khan of London and Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr of Freetown. Three-term Mayor of New York City Michael R. Bloomberg serves as President of the C40 Board of Directors, responsible for operational oversight. A regionally diverse management team, led by Executive Director Mark Watts, leads the day-to-day management of C40. C40’s two core strategic funders are Bloomberg Philanthropies and Realdania.

Our international staff work with the C40 network under the leadership of city governments to deliver this mission. Using a data-driven approach, our team identifies and promotes the exchange of proven programmes and policies developed by cities; provides world-class research, technical expertise and access to key partners to deliver new programmes and policies with cities; and communicates cities’ individual achievements and collective leadership.

Diversity statement

C40 is committed to supporting and promoting equity and diversity and creating an inclusive working environment for everyone. We believe that when people with different life experiences are involved in decision-making, we deliver better.

We believe having a diverse workforce ensures we connect better with all the different communities and people affected by the climate crisis. This enables us to make better decisions which lead to better outcomes in the work we do through increased creativity, productivity, greater global impact alongside a broader perspective and approach to our work.

We welcome applicants that are diverse in terms of age, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, ethnicity and perspective. Our goal is for C40 to be an environment where everyone, from any background, can flourish and can be themselves whilst contributing to our mission. If you identify as a person with a disability, we work to provide reasonable appropriate measures and any additional support needed to provide an equitable working experience. If you are living with a disability, chronic illness or neurodiversity please inform us, to provide you with the proper assistance in the application process.

C40 promotes a work culture where staff can input to improve equity, diversity and inclusion through staff-led groups and formal forums. We know that creating our ideal working environment is a learning process and we are committed to the ongoing effort.

About the C40 x GCoM Joint Program

Since 2023, C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group and the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy have been collaborating to achieve a shared set of strategic goals, which are jointly delivered through several linked restricted grants. These grants focus on deploying our expertise across climate finance, data and technology, multi-level partnerships and diplomacy, and communications and events, to support cities to take ambitious climate change action. Building on the achievements over the period 2023-25, this joint program of work is now entering a new phase of work from 2026-28.

Position description

Reporting to senior leadership at C40 and GCoM, this postholder will drive the effective management of the portfolio of jointly delivered activities (hereafter, the ‘Joint Program’), with a budget of $36m+ over three years.

The postholder will direct the Joint Program operations as a restricted grant portfolio and will work closely with the relevant Managing Directors and other senior staff to ensure the pillars of work constituting the Joint Program delivers in line with agreed goals and strategy. The postholder will also liaise with the Program’s sponsor, Bloomberg Philanthropies.

The Director of Operations, C40 and GCoM Joint Program will oversee the coordination and delivery of program objectives by 30+ staff. They will oversee effective program management and reporting, the creation and maintenance of robust program infrastructure and mechanisms for internal communications across the program, manage the program budgets and play a leading role in decision-making and problem-solving for the Joint Program.

Responsibilities

Program delivery:

• Manage the budget of $12+m per year for the Joint Program. Liaising with the relevant MDs and other senior program budget leadership in relation to key budget decisions.
• Oversee delivery under the Program in terms of monitoring progress against work plans, and working closely with the staff leads of each Program pillar, to ensure activities are delivered on time and to budget, and that appropriate steps are taken to mitigate risk and to adapt when circumstances impact Program delivery.
• Report to Joint Program Steering Group on program progress, delivery and risk management, raising any issues that require decision by MDs and/or the Program sponsor and proposing solutions.
• Lead the work of the team responsible for program management and operations, to support the Program pillars on delivery. The postholder will line manage one program manager.
• Direct the operational functioning of the Program to ensure effective and efficient delivery and coordination between staff, including through the following:
  • Developing and overseeing the implementation of the appropriate internal coordination mechanisms and governance structures;
  • Implementing ways of working that enable cohesion between C40 and GCoM in their delivery of the Joint Program.

Program strategy:

• Work closely with senior leadership responsible for the Program to ensure that the Program strategy remains aligned with overall organisational strategy, KPIs and priorities and is responsive to key opportunities arising.
• Work closely with the Director of the Executive Office and other colleagues to ensure all Program sponsor requests are met comprehensively, delivering high quality, fast responses.
• Provide senior input to fundraising efforts through the development of concept notes and project proposals to support the renewal and growth of the Program.

Program administration:

• Responsible for external and internal reporting and Program tracking and evaluation.
• Oversee contractual arrangements for third party delivery under the Program (subgrants and procurements).

Program communication:

• Oversee good information flow among the staff working on the Joint Program and represent the Joint Program to internal stakeholders across C40 and GCoM.

Additional responsibilities as required.

Person specification

• Expertise in relation to the management of large and complex programs.
• Expertise in relation to the management of key external relationships relevant to restricted grant programs (such as program funder and key partners, consultants or subgrantees).
• Experience coordinating projects across multiple organisations, teams or stakeholders.
• Excellent organisational skills and acute attention to detail.
• Effective communicator with very strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to lead discussions to help facilitate action-oriented approaches.
• Able to manage own time, prioritise activities and accomplish tasks with minimal oversight.
• Outcome-oriented with ability to successfully plan and be responsive to changing political landscape and opportunities.
• A strong knowledge of and experience of working within the international climate space.
• Good understanding of the needs, priorities and delivery mechanisms to support cities in the implementation of climate action.
• Comfortable working in virtual / remote working environments and collaborating with colleagues based in a number of different locations. International experience working across different cultures, languages and time zones is preferable.
• Fluent in English (spoken and written).

Other requirements

Applicants must already have the right to work in the country where they apply. Moderate travel will be required as part of the role.

We seek to recruit individuals who not only have the appropriate skills and experience for the role, but are committed to carrying out their roles in line with our organisational values.

C40 offers a comprehensive benefits package to support employee well-being and work-life balance:

• Paid Time Off: Full-time employees receive 35 days of paid time off annually, which includes all national holidays.
• Company Close-downs: In addition to the standard paid time off, C40 provides two non-contractual, non-statutory close-down weeks each year (mid-year and end-of-year) for a full break.
• Parental Leave: All employees are eligible for up to 52 weeks of parenting leave. The first 16 weeks are paid at 100% of the employee's current salary. Weeks 17 through 52 are unpaid by C40, unless payment is required by national law.
• Flexible Working: C40 supports flexible working arrangements to enhance work-life balance, provided they align with business requirements.
• Time off in Lieu (TOIL): Employees can take TOIL to recover following periods of excessive hours or travel in line with C40’s Toil Policy.
• Sick Leave: Entitlement to sick leave increases upon the successful completion of the employee's probation period.
• Employee Training: Training and development opportunities are available to all staff (excluding temporary staff and interns) after they have completed and passed their probation period.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP): Confidential services, such as counselling, are accessible for short-term support.

C40 offers additional benefits based on specific location requirements. This might include Private Pension Schemes and/or Private Health Insurance (where publicly funded healthcare is not available). Therefore, availability is determined on a country by country basis.

Application process

Interested applicants should submit a curriculum vitae and cover letter. The closing date for receipt of applications is Thursday, 26th March 2026 at 5pm GMT.C40 reserves the right to close this job opening before the closing date for applications so please do submit applications early.

To learn more about the work of C40 and our cities, please visit our website or follow us on,Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.

Location

Brazil, UK (Hybrid)

Department

Business Planning, Measurement and Innovation

Employment Type

Fixed Term

Minimum Experience

Executive

Compensation

(Grade 1) Brazil (IC) USD 121,951 , UK GBP £92,767 (gross per annum)