Head of Program Operations

Background
Over the next two years, C40 Cities and the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy (GCoM), along with key partners in Brazil, will be working in strategic partnership to deliver a program of work, funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies, to accelerate the implementation of climate action across Brazilian cities. The program aims to unlock delivery at scale by identifying and preparing high-impact, finance-ready urban climate projects while strengthening the multilevel partnerships and  institutional frameworks that support long-term transformation. It combines on-the-ground implementation with targeted support to multilevel governance, leveraging Brazil's growing climate ambition and the opportunity presented by COP30 in Belém.

This initiative will engage many cities across Brazil, supporting them to move from planning to action through data-driven project identification, readiness assessments, and capacity-building. At least 20 priority actions—particularly in sustainable transport and waste—will be prepared for implementation, with a strong focus on financial viability, social inclusion, and emissions impact. These efforts will be complemented by cross-cutting strategies on climate budgeting, just transition, and strengthened data ecosystems. Working in close coordination with federal actors and national city networks, the program will create the enabling conditions for long-term, replicable investment in urban climate solutions across Brazil.

Alongside implementation, the program will leverage Brazil's leadership in global climate diplomacy to elevate city voices, strengthen and establish a model of multilevel coordination for other countries, and integrate local action into the international climate agendas. With COP30 in Belém, the initiative brings visibility to the urban Amazon, supporting practical solutions in cities facing deep socio-economic and environmental challenges. It will also showcase CHAMP in action, using Brazil's COP30 Presidency and co-chair role in the NDC Partnership to promote the inclusion of subnational contributions in NDCs. By advancing Climate Federalism and amplifying mayoral leadership—especially from the Amazon—the program aims to inspire globally just, inclusive, and locally driven climate action.

Position Description:

The postholder will lead the operational functioning of the program. The Head of Program Operations will be an exceptional and experienced programme manager, with exemplary skills and experience in project management, program coordination and reporting. A natural collaborator and convener, they will bring together C40 and GCoM teams across the program to achieve the program goals.  The postholder will ensure all program management requirements are met including oversight of the budget, monitoring progress against workplan, supporting teams to adapt and implement work plans, monitoring and mitigating risk, reporting to the Program donor and working closely with other colleagues in the senior program leadership to develop and evolve the Program’s strategy on an ongoing basis. 

The Head of Program Operations will be one of three senior leaders guiding the overall delivery of the Brazil Joint Programme, working in close coordination with the Head of Engagement and the Head of Implementation, as well as working with the Directors and Managing Directors involved in the program delivery. While the Head of Implementation will oversee the execution of technical components and project delivery, the Head of Engagement will lead diplomacy and high-level stakeholder relations with federal, state, and municipal governments.

The Head of Program Operations will be responsible for internal systems, donor reporting, and administrative oversight. Together, this leadership trio will ensure seamless coordination across strategic, programmatic, and operational workstreams to enable effective implementation and impact at scale. The postholder will oversee the coordination and delivery of program objectives by 20+ staff, and will play a critical role in decision-making and problem-solving for the program. The postholder will report to the Director Of Operations (C40 x GCoM Joint Program) with additional  dotted line reporting to the Director of Implementation, Latin America and Special Advisor, CHAMP National Engagement.

Responsibilities 

Program delivery:

• Manage the program budget, working closely with the C40 Corporate Services team on effective financial management, coordinating with all areas of the program as required, and ensuring critical decisions are appropriately escalated among the program senior leadership, and where appropriate, the program sponsor.
• Supervise program delivery, monitoring progress against work plans, and working closely with the senior leadership for the program and the 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.
• Oversee set up and ongoing management of portfolio of subgrants to partners, and of contractual arrangements for delivery under the program by suppliers/consultants, working closely with C40’s Corporate Services team and ensuring compliance with organisational and sponsor requirements. 
• Oversee Staffing Arrangements: coordinate the portfolio of recruitment required for the program; oversee the organisation of convenings of staff involved in the program (whether virtual or in-person),  as required to ensure effective implementation of the program’s work and evolution of its strategy. 
• Work closely with the Head of Implementation and Head of Engagement to ensure appropriate alignment between the program pillars. 
• Report to the program Steering Group on program progress, delivery and risk management. Act as the Secretariat for the Steering Group meetings.
• Together with other senior program leadership, develop the governance structure and internal coordination mechanisms to enable effective decisionmaking and information flow. Responsible for implementing these and ensuring they are reviewed at appropriate intervals so as to remain fit for purpose as the program develops. This includes ways of working that allow for cohesion between C40 and GCoM in their delivery of the program and smooth coordination with other key partner organisations involved in the program. 
• Develop and oversee program management infrastructure, systems and tools used for the program. 
• Line manages one staff member delivering program management activities. 

Program reporting: 

• Lead the process to define the program’s Theory of Change and results framework; work closely with other senior program leadership on workplan definition and city- and project-selection definition. 
• Oversee external and internal reporting: delivery of formal reporting to the program sponsor and liaison with the sponsor’s Grants team, and delivery of all internal reporting requirements. Ensure effective results reporting for the program and the regular sharing of program successes to key internal and external stakeholders. 
• Responsible for program data collection, monitoring and evaluation, with support from other team members. 
• Lead the work to align the program with, and support delivery of C40 and GCoM core organisational objectives and KPIs.

Program communication:

• Work closely with the other program senior leadership to ensure effective and efficient liaison/communication in relation to the program with key external stakeholders, including the program sponsor.
• Work with the other program senior leadership and Communications leads to ensure the program and its activities are appropriately represented in external media and in national, regional or global events, where this is relevant and useful for the delivery and impact of the program.
• Oversee the delivery of effective internal information sharing among the staff working on the program, ensuring key program information is shared with staff concerned on an ongoing basis.
• Represent the program to internal stakeholders across C40 and GCoM, supervising the development of written materials to ensure staff are kept informed about the program and acting as the key point of contact for any queries about the program.

Person Specification

Essential:

• Significant program management experience, including of large and complex programs. 
• Superior organisational skills and acute attention to detail. 
• Very strong written and verbal communication skills coupled with excellent convening skills. 
• Ability to lead discussions to help facilitate action-oriented approaches.
• Effective communicator and collaborator who is able to manage their time, prioritise activities and accomplish tasks with minimal oversight.
• Experience coordinating projects across multiple organisations, teams or stakeholders.
• Highly organised, task-driven and outcome-oriented to be able to both successfully plan, but also to be responsive to changing political landscape and opportunities.
• A strong knowledge of and experience of working within the international climate space. 
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and within a team.
• Fluent in English (spoken and written).
• Experience of staff management. 

Desirable:

• Good understanding of the needs, priorities and delivery mechanisms to support, in particular, cities in the global south 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.

Other Requirements:

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

Reporting To: Director of Operations, C40 x GCoM Joint Program

Term:
Fixed term contract until 30th June 2027  (The appointment and  the duration of the role are subject to the final approval of funding)

Location: Brazil, Colombia, South Africa,UK, USA-  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 2) Brazil (IC)$95,463, Colombia COP 197,359,597, South Africa ZAR 1,358,208, UK £75,419, USA $125,419 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. 

Application Process:

Closing date for applications is 1st September 2025 at 5pm BST. 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 www.c40.org, follow us on Twitter @c40cities and like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/C40Cities.

For any queries about the role, please contact careers@C40.org. Kindly note that this email address is for recruitment related queries only. We are unable to accept CVs and cover letters sent to this inbox. We can only accept and process applications that are submitted via our website.

C40 is an equal opportunities employer.

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 three core strategic funders are Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation 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.