The European Climate Foundation (ECF) is a major philanthropic initiative working to help tackle the climate crisis by fostering the development of a net-zero emission society at the national, European and global level.

We support over 500 partner organisations to carry out activities that drive urgent and ambitious policy in support of the objectives of the Paris Agreement, contribute to the public debate on climate action and help deliver a socially responsible transition to a net-zero economy and sustainable society in Europe and around the world.

The ECF brings together diverse perspectives and backgrounds to find the best innovative solutions to tackle climate change. We are focusing on engaging and hiring great people from a wide diversity of backgrounds to strengthen the cause. If you share our values of respect, innovation, and collaboration, join us.

About the role

The Climate Finance Programme aims to support changes to the way capital is allocated to enable the green transition away from a fossil-based economy and to a zero-carbon economy. The purpose of creating a new position at executive director level for climate finance is to bring the finance activities of ECF to another level to respond to the increased complexity of the challenge. The shifting of the trillions that are mobilized in the global financial markets for the green economy is still not happening at the scale and speed needed. Even if more and more public financial institutions, private banks, asset owners and assets managers commit to align their investments with Paris Agreement goals, there are many barriers preventing a real transformation to happen.

The Executive Director, Climate Finance reports to the CEO directly.

Key responsibilities

• You develop the ECF’s Climate Finance Strategy;
  • both concerning the allocation of capital within Europe and with respect to Europe’s role in the global financial system,
  • enhancing European levers (taxonomy, mandate of ECB and EIB),
  • leveraging Europe’s role on major economic partners policies,
  • supporting global efforts to increase transparency and accountability of the financial system vis à vis climate commitments,
  • promoting regulations and economic policies that increase the necessary mobilization of private capital.
• You engage with the philanthropic community and especially with funders of the Finance Programme with the support of the strategic partnerships team.
• You manage key relationships with ECF grantees and partners.
• You lead, coach, and develop the ECF Climate Finance team.
• You collaborate closely with the other executive directors striving for common understanding of ECF priorities and activities across all parts of the ecosystem to enable knowledge sharing and input into collective organisational topics.
• You engage with, advise, and guide the CEO, ECF Supervisory Board and Advisory Council members when requested and provide support and guidance to ECF co-workers on climate finance topics.
• You oversee dissemination of the findings and policy positions that result from ECF-led projects, including via media outreach, government relations and public events.
• You identify and represent ECF at selected strategic venues and events with a view to positioning the network’s voice and value add in climate finance.

• A genuine interest in the mission and values of the ECF.
• An in-depth knowledge of the public or the private finance sector, with minimum 15 years working experience strongly encouraged.
• A reasonable knowledge of EU public finance.
• Strong in building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
• Excellent leadership skills to build and drive a strong team that apply their diverse skills and perspectives to achieve common goals.
• Recognized as a pragmatic, forward looking, results driven manager: taking new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm.
• Excellent collaboration and influencing skills;
• Proven communication and public presentation skills;
• Fluent in written and spoken English is essential, knowledge of other European languages welcome but not essential.

What we can offer you

• The unique opportunity to work as part of a highly dynamic, international group of individuals who combine their passion to make a difference with a rigorous and results-oriented approach to work;
• A flexible work environment and a space to develop and challenge yourself;
• A full-time permanent position.

Location

London, Berlin, Brussels preferred.

Any other location where ECF has an office can be considered.

Start date

As soon as possible

How to apply

Please upload your

• CV (in English)
• cover letter (in English).

All applications will be treated confidentially. We will store your information in our internal database unless you specifically request otherwise.