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.
Department Description:
Climate Solutions and Networks
C40’s Climate Solutions and Networks (CSN) team oversees six program areas focused on priority climate action sectors and interventions: Energy and Buildings; Transportation; Urban Planning; Food and Waste; Air Quality; and Climate Resilience. Under these program areas, CSN operates 16 different networks that facilitate city-to-city best practice sharing on specific climate action areas, such as clean energy or zero-emission vehicles. The networks help cities replicate, improve and accelerate climate action to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement. These city-only working groups provide for honest knowledge and experience exchange, enabling cities to tap into the global expertise of their peers as well as connect with technical partners. Through networks, cities find opportunities to undertake joint projects in areas of mutual interest and benefit. C40 networks also amplify individual city solutions by providing a global platform for showcasing city success. The result is that cities' climate actions to reduce GHGs, air pollutants and climate risks are bolder, fairer, and more impactful than if they were to go it alone.
Within C40’s Climate Solutions and Networks (CSN) the Urban Planning and Design team (UPD) supports cities to accelerate sustainable and resilient planning policies and urban design practices that will help them deliver climate action in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement. The team runs several programs and activities, including the Land Use Planning Network, the Green and Thriving Neighbourhoods Program and the Reinventing Cities design competitions. The latest IPCC report has outlined the importance of planning policies as cross-cutting enablers of emissions reduction and resilience, and as a key tool to institutionalise climate action plans. In recognition of this, the UPD team will launch the Urban Planning Accelerator in 2025 to drive Mayoral commitment around climate-responsive urban planning.
Reinventing Cities program
The Reinventing Cities program runs design competitions for professionals and young people to reimagine urban spaces in more sustainable, resilient and inclusive environments.
The professional Reinventing Cities initiative, launched in 2018, is a pioneering call for projects that promote carbon-neutral, inclusive and resilient urban regeneration of underutilised sites. Through this competition, the organisation, alongside participating cities, invites multidisciplinary teams of architects, urban planners, developers, investors, environmentalists, and start-ups to submit transformative proposals to transform the sites. These flagship projects, implemented on the ground, aim to deliver carbon-neutral regeneration and can serve as models for the sustainable cities of the future.
The programme fosters collaboration between cities and key stakeholders in the built environment and real estate sectors, aiming to accelerate the delivery of green, resilient, and inclusive urban developments. By mobilising private investment in sustainable solutions, Reinventing Cities helps catalyse new models of public-private partnerships for climate-neutral urban transformation. The initiative has also contributed to shaping city policies and procurement processes to align with climate goals. Following four successful editions—with over 5,000 participating companies and more than 40 pioneering projects now under development across 28 cities—the programme is continuing to expand to new locations and evolving to include new competition formats, such as those focused on public space design and affordable housing.
The programme also includes youth-focused sister initiatives, designed to engage the next generation in shaping climate-resilient cities: Students Reinventing Cities - invites university students and young people to reimagine urban sites identified by participating cities into green and thriving neighbourhoods; while Schools Reinventing Cities, run in partnership with Minecraft Education, empowers school-aged students to design tangible climate solutions using Minecraft. Students present their ideas to city leaders, helping bridge education with real-world impact. To date, more than 15,000 students from over 1,500 schools and universities across 50 cities have taken part in Youth Reinventing Cities, demonstrating the programme’s broad reach and its potential to inspire future urban leaders.
Position Description:
The Manager will play a key role in supporting the delivery and growth of the Reinventing Cities programme, working in close collaboration with cities, the private sector, and youth stakeholders around the world.
The ideal candidate will be a proactive, highly organised self-starter who brings strong communication, coordination, and technical skills, along with a genuine interest and experience in climate action in cities and/or innovative approaches to urban planning and design. They should be comfortable managing multiple responsibilities - from assessing urban regeneration projects and producing communications materials, to delivering webinars, managing partnerships, engaging stakeholders and coordinating program activities.
This full-time role (40 hours/week) offers the successful candidate a valuable opportunity to deepen their expertise across a range of areas, including sustainable urban design and planning, youth engagement, public-private collaboration, and climate change solutions. Working within a dynamic and fast-paced international team, the Manager will strengthen their experience and contribute to the continued growth of the programme, supporting the development of tailored tools, innovative challenge models and resources for cities globally to advance a decarbonised, green and thriving urban future.
Responsibilities
The responsibilities of the role will include:
Person Specification
Other Requirements:
Applicants must already have the right to work in the listed locations. Moderate travel will be required as part of the role.
Reporting To: Senior manager for Reinventing Cities and Competition Lead
Term: Fixed-term contract until 31 May 2026
Location: Colombia & South Africa
Salary: (Grade 4) COP 108,074,116 / ZAR 715,392 (gross per annum)
Application Process:
Interested applicants should submit a curriculum vitae and cover letter. Closing date for receipt of applications is Tuesday, 13th May 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.