Programme Manager: Critical Minerals
Programme Manager
Critical Minerals.
Hybrid
UK based
12 months ftc
Shaping a circular economy for critical and strategic minerals and materials is one of the most urgent and high-impact levers we have to advance the clean energy transition, secure digital infrastructure, and enable resilient industrial systems. The global economy is undergoing a massive transformation: electrification, digitisation, and decarbonisation are driving exponential demand for critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, nickel, copper, and rare earths.
At the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, our Critical Minerals mission is to demonstrate that a circular economy approach can reduce virgin demand, create system-level value, and deliver a more resilient, prosperous, and resource-efficient future. We will be focused on various levers, such as transforming how these materials are designed into systems, circulated through value chains, and/or recovered after use - cutting across sectors and technologies like renewable generation, energy storage, mobility, digital infrastructure, electronics, and beyond.
In addition to our work with industry players, investors, and governments across the critical minerals energy and digital value chains, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation is also establishing a new programme to explore the contribution of the circular economy for critical minerals to key topics within current energy transition debates and issues, including just transition and deep-sea mining. In particular, a confirmed aspect of the programme will develop the evidence and partnerships needed to assess how a circular economy for critical minerals can reduce the pressure to pursue deep sea mining. It is a timely and complex body of work, sitting at the intersection of environmental policy, industrial systems, and emerging international governance. This is innovative and groundbreaking work in an exciting area, and we are looking for committed, collaborative people who want to contribute to a field where the work genuinely matters.
Role and Responsibilities
Our Programme Manager will support the shaping of the Critical Minerals mission, focusing on the contribution of circular economy of critical minerals to key topics within current energy transition debates and issues, including deep-sea mining. Responsibilities include overall content and people strategy, providing direct line management to support team development, and ensuring high-quality outputs. You will also represent the Foundation externally, delivering presentations, engaging with senior stakeholders, and occasionally speaking to the media.
Specifically, your role will involve the following:
- Define the strategic direction, objectives, and scope of programmes and projects, ensuring alignment with the mission’s broader strategy.
- Lead programme planning, including deliverables, timelines, resources, and key messages, and act as a primary point of contact for strategically important stakeholders.
- Identify and escalate strategic risks, and support stakeholder conversations, including with Advisory Board members.
- Oversee programme or project delivery, guiding teams on content development, project planning, stakeholder management, and overall execution.
- Support the Exec Lead and shape the overall content and people strategy, ensuring alignment and coherence across all programmes and projects.
- Represent the Foundation in external meetings, events, presentations, and occasional media engagements, including international travel when required.
- Build and manage internal and external relationships to advance the circular economy agenda and strengthen the Foundation’s network.
- Provide direct line management, coaching, and professional development support to team members to ensure high-quality outputs and team growth.
Your profile
- 7+ years’ experiencein a relevant field such as business, public policy, sustainability, economics, or a related discipline. Demonstrable interest in the energy transition, critical minerals, or sustainability more broadly would be highly desirable.
- Significant experience in programme or project management, including designing and delivering complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives in an international setting.
- Proven track record of developing and implementing strategic plans aligned to organisational goals.
- Experience of working with senior stakeholders, such as executive leaders, advisory boards, or external partners, including managing relationships and influencing decision-making.
- Demonstrated experience of line management, including coaching, mentoring, and supporting professional development within teams.
- Representing an organisation externally, including delivering presentations, facilitating workshops, or engaging with media.
- Working in or alongside mission-driven, non-profit, or sustainability-focused organisations.
- Evidence of managing risk, navigating ambiguity, and operating in fast-paced or evolving environments.
Please click the green icon where you will be asked to upload a CV and covering letter. We welcome the thoughtful use of tools, but applications should reflect your own skills, experience, and voice; over-reliance on AI-generated content tends not to reflect authenticity in applications.
Please note that we are unable to sponsor a Skilled Worker Visa for this role. All applicants must have an existing right to work in the UK which is valid for at least 12 months.
Desired starting date: As soon as possible
Closing date: 2nd April
Salary package: circa £58,500 depending on experience level plus generous holiday allowance (25 days plus UK Bank Holidays plus discretionary extra days during the office closure between Christmas and New Year and Easter); generous parental leave; enhanced pension options/private health scheme after 6 months; wellbeing programme.
Location: We have offices in Cowes on the Isle of Wight and at Somerset House in London but, depending on circumstances, we also welcome individuals to work remotely from anywhere in the UK. We cannot support remote working from overseas for this role.
Application process:
● Initial zoom meeting with our Talent team and prospective Line manager to start the process (we will send you the outline of the interview, so you know what to expect).
● A work-related assignment to complete at home or as part of the interview process so we know you will be comfortable with the type of work you would do here.
● In person or Zoom Interview with our People Team, Team Lead and prospective manager.
What we do
The Ellen MacArthur Foundation develops and promotes the idea of a circular economy. We work with, and inspire, business, academia, policymakers, and institutions to mobilise systems solutions at scale, globally. Our mission is to accelerate the transition to a circular economy.
Our vision is a new economic system that delivers better outcomes for people and the environment. Business models, products, and materials are designed to increase use and reuse, replicating the balance of the natural world, where nothing becomes waste, and everything has value. A circular economy, increasingly built on renewable energy and materials, is distributed, diverse, and inclusive.
Our commitment to you
We are keen to receive applications from people from underrepresented backgrounds, including (but not limited to) those of colour, people with disabilities, people who identify as LGBTQIA+, and people from other marginalised groups. It is important to us that our recruitment approach makes the opportunity as accessible as possible and ensures a diverse range of people can demonstrate their potential. We would be happy to provide any further support that you may require - please get in touch so that we can work together.
If you would like further information on our diversity and inclusion policy or any further assistance, please contact us at recruitment@ellenmacarthurfoundation.org.