Head of Climate Solutions

Johnson Recruitment; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 165,000 - 185,000; Full time

Job summary

Johnson Recruitment is partnering with Australia Climate Impact Initiative (ACII) to recruit a Head of Climate Solutions. The role can be based in Sydney or Melbourne with hybrid work options and reports to the Founding Executive Director.

You will curate funding opportunities, translate science for donors, and lead due diligence while embracing First Nations leadership. Salary ranges from $165K to $185K plus superannuation, full-time or 0.8 FTE.

Qualifications

• Senior leadership experience in climate/environment sectors.
• Strong written and verbal communications for donor audiences.

Responsibilities

• Set the strategic vision for and build a new Climate Solutions function.
• Curate high-impact funding opportunities across climate, energy transition, nature, adaptation, and First Nations leadership.
• Translate climate science and policy into clear funder briefs for non-expert philanthropists.
• Establish an expert Advisory Group and oversee due diligence, including First Nations self-determination and land stewardship.

Skills

Climate leadership

Policy knowledge

Stakeholder engagement

Analytical research

Narrative writing

Job description

$165K - $185K + super | FT or 0.8 considered

• Career-defining leadership role | Build a new function
• Flexible location - Sydney or Melbourne (Hybrid WFH options)
• $165K - $185K + super | FT or 0.8 considered

The Organisation

Australia Climate Impact Initiative (ACII) is an ambitious, newly established philanthropic initiative dedicated to accelerating high-impact climate and environmental giving across Australia. Incubated by the Australian Environmental Grantmakers Network (AEGN) and partnered with global leader Climate Lead's, ACII provides intelligence, connections, and guidance to major philanthropists, free of charge, to unlock environmental giving at scale.

The Role

Reporting to the Founding Executive Director, the Head of Climate Solutions will set the strategic vision for and build a new Climate Solutions function.

Key responsibilities include:

• Strategic Portfolio Curation: Act as an impartial expert broker to curate high-impact funding opportunities across climate, energy transition, nature, adaptation, and First Nations leadership.
• Translating Science into Action: Translate complex climate science and policy into clear, compelling funder briefs and tailored portfolios for non-expert philanthropists.
• Due Diligence & Sector Engagement: Establish an expert Advisory Group, conduct rigorous due diligence, and integrate First Nations self-determination and land stewardship as a foundational dimension of Australian climate philanthropy.
• Global Alignment: Partner with Climate Lead’s Global Climate Strategies team to adapt global due diligence methodologies to the Australian context while contributing local opportunities to the global pipeline.

• Strategic Portfolio Curation: Act as an impartial expert broker to curate high-impact funding opportunities across climate, energy transition, nature, adaptation, and First Nations leadership.
• Translating Science into Action: Translate complex climate science and policy into clear, compelling funder briefs and tailored portfolios for non-expert philanthropists.
• Due Diligence & Sector Engagement: Establish an expert Advisory Group, conduct rigorous due diligence, and integrate First Nations self-determination and land stewardship as a foundational dimension of Australian climate philanthropy.
• Global Alignment: Partner with Climate Lead’s Global Climate Strategies team to adapt global due diligence methodologies to the Australian context while contributing local opportunities to the global pipeline.

The Candidate

You bring substantive senior experience in the climate and environment sector (typically 10-15 years) alongside deep knowledge of the Australian climate and biodiversity policy and advocacy landscape. You possess strong analytical, research, and impact measurement skills, paired with an exceptional capability to write inspiring, accessible narratives for donor audiences.

You demonstrate high cultural competency and a strong commitment to First Nations rights and leadership. Characterised by an entrepreneurial start-up mindset, sound ethics, and a collaborative approach, you thrive in evolving environments and excel at working across diverse theories of change.

The Offer

This is a unique opportunity to shape the strategy and future of climate philanthropy in Australia at a critical inflection point. The position is offered on a full-time basis (with flexibility for 0.8) based in either Sydney or Melbourne, featuring flexible hybrid work arrangements. The salary on offer ranges from $165K - $185K + superannuation, in line with experience.

Johnson Recruitment actively embraces diversity in the workforce through inclusive community representation of gender, culture, thought, and work arrangements.