Senior Strategic Content and Partnerships Manager

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

Governance and Executive Engagement department stewards the Executive Director, C40 Co-Chairs, Steering Committee and Board in their role as ambassadors and decision makers of C40. This department represents the C40 leadership both internally and externally. Through the Office of the Co-Chairs and the Executive Office, we spearhead and coordinate cross-organisational strategies and partnerships with key stakeholders; through global and regional events we create platforms for our leadership and programs to engage the global community.

The Executive Office sits within Governance and Executive Engagement. Through our private office, we ensure the highest standards for all of C40’s Executive Director engagements, including with the Board of Directors and Strategic Funders. Through our funders partnership team, we support meaningful partnerships between C40’s leadership and our funding community.

Position Description:

The Senior Strategic Content and Partnerships Manager will work closely with the Director of the Executive Office across the private office and funder partnership sides of the Executive Office. They will play a key role in supporting the collaboration with C40’s core funders and in creating engaging content which conveys C40’s strategic and programmatic priorities for an external audience of funders and partners.

The post holder will centralise the work delivered through C40’s extensive partnerships with its strategic funders, ensuring that internal systems are in place to track deliverables and to maintain efficient communications channels. They will create content that supports discussions with core funders on a weekly basis. They will also build a strong network of internal connections and a deep understanding of C40’s goals, programmatic portfolio and messages, enabling them to quickly draft or review content for C40’s existing and prospective funders. A minor part of the role will be dedicated to reviewing, enhancing and maintaining the internal systems that will enable this work.

The nature of the Executive Office means priorities can shift several times in a day: the post of Senior Strategic Content and Partnerships Manager will be best suited for a curious, dynamic self-starter who is passionate about creating content that communicates C40’s impact to further its mission and who thrives under short deadlines. 

Responsibilities:

Support to the Director of the Executive Director:

• Working closely with the Director of the Executive Office to support engagement with strategic funders including tracking all deliverables, coordinating delivery internally, attending meetings and coordinating/implementing follow-ups.   
• Drafting memos and presentations upon request of C40’s strategic funders, leveraging information from internal partners and working closely with the funders’ main points of contact in the Executive Office including:
  • Ad hoc timely memos on programs or geopolitical developments
  • Impact reports

Fundraising:

• Supporting cross-organisational task forces on the fundraising priorities identified by C40’s Senior Leadership Team
• Leading the research, drafting and editing of high quality material (proposals, concept notes) effectively introducing C40 as an organisation and its areas of impact for prospective funding partners, in close collaboration with the subject matter experts
• When needed, reaching out to prospective partners directly to connect them with the best internal point of contact
• Developing and owning strategic content templates for other teams to use as part of their fundraising and funder engagement work
• Reviewing and coordinating grant proposals and reports over a certain threshold.

Internal strategic information management:

• Reviewing, enhancing, documenting and maintaining the Executive Office’s engagement with other departments, ensuring that:
  • there is a consistent and effective system to capture, analyse and share information within the team
  • agendas and information exchange protocols focus on the most relevant and useful data needed by the Executive Office
• Managing and maintaining internal records, databases, and project management tools, including CRM systems such as Asana and Salesforce, ensuring data integrity for effective outreach and reporting
• Providing feedback and reports as to efficacy of systems and regularly suggest improvements to system design or ways of working.

Person Specification:

• Exceptional writing, editing, and copy-editing skills with a strong portfolio of successful grant applications or fundraising materials
• Proven experience in grant writing, proposal development, and creating compelling content for fundraising or marketing purposes
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex information into clear, concise, and persuasive narratives
• Strong organisational and project coordination abilities, with a track record of managing multiple priorities and delivering high-quality work under deadlines
• Works well with others as part of a team and is flexible and adaptable to different ways of working with ease and professionalism
• Proficiency in designing and developing visually engaging documents and presentations (e.g., PowerPoint, Google Slides, Canva, or similar tools)
• Experience with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, Asana) for managing relationships and tracking outreach
• Proactive approach to problem-solving and a keen eye for detail
• Ability to keep a cool head under pressure and to shepherd internal discussions in a calm but effective manner
• Native proficiency in English (C40’s primary working language)
• Demonstrated climate or urban sustainability interest: Professional or personal interest or background in thinking and writing about sustainability topics.

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: Director of the Executive Office

Term: Indefinite

Location: London, 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 3) GBP £63,323 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:

To apply, please submit a curriculum vitae and Cover letter. The closing date for applications is on Wednesday, 29th of October 2025  at 5pm UK time.  C40 reserves the right to close this job opening before the closing date for applications, so please 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

C40 is an equal opportunity employer.