EU Director
About The European Climate Foundation (ECF)
The European Climate Foundation (ECF) is a major philanthropic initiative working to tackle climate change by fostering the development of a climate neutral, sustainable and socially fair society in Europe. We support a wide range of partners to drive ambitious climate policy, accelerate the transition to a netzero economy, and ensure this transition delivers benefits for people and communities across the European Union.
Context and purpose of the role
Decisions taken at European Union level over the coming decade will be decisive for Europe's ability to meet its 2030 and 2050 climate objectives and to steer a successful socioeconomic transition to a netzero economy. The EU Director role represents a step change in ECF's engagement with the European Union.
Building on ECF's longstanding presence and credibility in Brussels, the EU Director will hold a senior, integrative mandate to shape and drive ECF's overall impact on EU climate, environmental and sustainable development regulation. The role is designed to mobilise internal programmes, external partners, and key state and nonstate actors around shared regulatory outcomes.
Role summary
The EU Director is responsible for integrating and leading all ECF efforts aimed at reducing the European Union's climate impact and accelerating the socioeconomic transition to a netzero economy through EU level regulation and policy.
The postholder will:
Set and drive a coherent, EU-wide strategy anchored in regulatory outcomes for 2030 and 2050 greenhouse gas emissions reductions;
Mobilise and coordinate ECF's internal EU-relevant programmes toward shared strategic objectives;
Lead engagement with EU institutions and influential stakeholders across Member States;
Represent ECF externally at senior level; and
Secure and steward funding for ECF's EU work.
Key responsibilities
Strategic leadership and impact
Design, implement and continuously adapt a comprehensive EU strategy to advance ambitious, fair and effective climate, environment and sustainable development regulation in line with EU 2030 and 2050 objectives.
Mobilise key state and nonstate actors - including EU institutions, Member State actors, civil society organisations, business stakeholders and thought leaders - to support high ambition regulatory outcomes.
Analyse political, institutional and socioeconomic developments at EU and Member State level to inform strategic choices and anticipate risks and opportunities.
Internal coordination and programme integration
Mobilise and align the efforts of all relevant ECF programmes to maximise collective impact on EU regulatory processes.
Ensure strong strategic coherence, information flow and learning across EUfacing work within ECF.
Contribute to the development of ECFwide strategy from an EU systems perspective.
Team leadership and management
Manage and develop a team of internal experts working on EU level engagement.
Oversee and coordinate work with external partners, consultants and campaign organisations contributing to EU impact.
Foster a collaborative, inclusive and highperformance team culture.
External representation and partnerships
Represent ECF at senior level in meetings with EU institutions, Member State representatives, partners, funders, media and at highprofile events.
Maintain and expand a strong network of experts and influencers in EU affairs, climate policy.
Fundraising and resource stewardship
Lead fundraising for ECF's EU work, in close collaboration with ECF leadership and funders.
Contribute to budget development and ensure effective and responsible use of resources aligned with strategic priorities.
Experience and competencies
The successful candidate will bring:
At least 10 years of relevant professional experience, including substantial experience working in or with EU or international institutions.
A strong track record of leadership and management of smalltomidsize teams.
A deep understanding of the EU political, institutional and Member State landscape, particularly as it relates to climate, environment and sustainable development.
Demonstrated ability to design and deliver complex strategies that mobilise diverse actors toward shared outcomes.
Excellent communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex issues clearly and persuasively in both written and spoken English.
A wellestablished professional network in EU affairs and climaterelated policy fields.
A strong alignment with ECF's mission and values, including a commitment to a fair and inclusive transition to a netzero economy.
What we offer
A senior role with significant influence over EU level climate outcomes.
The opportunity to work within a highly dynamic, international and missiondriven organisation.
A collaborative and flexible working environment that values strategic thinking, initiative and learning.
Location
Brussels (with flexibility in line with ECF policies).
The European Climate Foundation (ECF) is a major philanthropic initiative working to tackle climate change by fostering the development of a climate neutral, sustainable and socially fair society in Europe. We support a wide range of partners to drive ambitious climate policy, accelerate the transition to a netzero economy, and ensure this transition delivers benefits for people and communities across the European Union.
Context and purpose of the role
Decisions taken at European Union level over the coming decade will be decisive for Europe's ability to meet its 2030 and 2050 climate objectives and to steer a successful socioeconomic transition to a netzero economy. The EU Director role represents a step change in ECF's engagement with the European Union.
Building on ECF's longstanding presence and credibility in Brussels, the EU Director will hold a senior, integrative mandate to shape and drive ECF's overall impact on EU climate, environmental and sustainable development regulation. The role is designed to mobilise internal programmes, external partners, and key state and nonstate actors around shared regulatory outcomes.
Role summary
The EU Director is responsible for integrating and leading all ECF efforts aimed at reducing the European Union's climate impact and accelerating the socioeconomic transition to a netzero economy through EU level regulation and policy.
The postholder will:
Set and drive a coherent, EU-wide strategy anchored in regulatory outcomes for 2030 and 2050 greenhouse gas emissions reductions;
Mobilise and coordinate ECF's internal EU-relevant programmes toward shared strategic objectives;
Lead engagement with EU institutions and influential stakeholders across Member States;
Represent ECF externally at senior level; and
Secure and steward funding for ECF's EU work.
Key responsibilities
Strategic leadership and impact
Design, implement and continuously adapt a comprehensive EU strategy to advance ambitious, fair and effective climate, environment and sustainable development regulation in line with EU 2030 and 2050 objectives.
Mobilise key state and nonstate actors - including EU institutions, Member State actors, civil society organisations, business stakeholders and thought leaders - to support high ambition regulatory outcomes.
Analyse political, institutional and socioeconomic developments at EU and Member State level to inform strategic choices and anticipate risks and opportunities.
Internal coordination and programme integration
Mobilise and align the efforts of all relevant ECF programmes to maximise collective impact on EU regulatory processes.
Ensure strong strategic coherence, information flow and learning across EUfacing work within ECF.
Contribute to the development of ECFwide strategy from an EU systems perspective.
Team leadership and management
Manage and develop a team of internal experts working on EU level engagement.
Oversee and coordinate work with external partners, consultants and campaign organisations contributing to EU impact.
Foster a collaborative, inclusive and highperformance team culture.
External representation and partnerships
Represent ECF at senior level in meetings with EU institutions, Member State representatives, partners, funders, media and at highprofile events.
Maintain and expand a strong network of experts and influencers in EU affairs, climate policy.
Fundraising and resource stewardship
Lead fundraising for ECF's EU work, in close collaboration with ECF leadership and funders.
Contribute to budget development and ensure effective and responsible use of resources aligned with strategic priorities.
Experience and competencies
The successful candidate will bring:
At least 10 years of relevant professional experience, including substantial experience working in or with EU or international institutions.
A strong track record of leadership and management of smalltomidsize teams.
A deep understanding of the EU political, institutional and Member State landscape, particularly as it relates to climate, environment and sustainable development.
Demonstrated ability to design and deliver complex strategies that mobilise diverse actors toward shared outcomes.
Excellent communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex issues clearly and persuasively in both written and spoken English.
A wellestablished professional network in EU affairs and climaterelated policy fields.
A strong alignment with ECF's mission and values, including a commitment to a fair and inclusive transition to a netzero economy.
What we offer
A senior role with significant influence over EU level climate outcomes.
The opportunity to work within a highly dynamic, international and missiondriven organisation.
A collaborative and flexible working environment that values strategic thinking, initiative and learning.
Location
Brussels (with flexibility in line with ECF policies).