Chief Operating Officer

Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi); London; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading organization in climate action is seeking a Chief Operating Officer based in London. This pivotal role involves strategic management of finances, human resources, and technology while fostering inclusivity in a hybrid working environment. The SBTi prioritizes applicants from diverse backgrounds to strengthen its commitment to equality.

Qualifications

• Financially qualified with a leadership track record.
• Experience in human resources or project/program management.
• Ability to think strategically and empower teams.

Responsibilities

• Establish budgets and oversee financial risks.
• Develop HR policies to build a capable team.
• Lead procurement and technology development.

Skills

Strategic finance

Leadership

People leadership

Project management

Education

Financial qualifications

Job description

Chief Operating Officer

Location: London

About the SBTi:

The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) is hiring a new Chief Operating Officer to play a leading role in moving the organization to focus on action and implementing the net-zero corporate transition.

The SBTi has been incredibly successful in recent years, securing net-zero commitments and setting emissions reduction targets with around 10,000 companies around the world. It has particularly extensive corporate networks in the United States, the UK, Europe and Asia. In the next phase, SBTi will evolve its approach, designing standards which translate climate science to actions which companies should be taking to reduce their carbon footprint as well as working with companies, individually and at a system level, on the implementation journey. The aim will be to build SBTi’s community of companies, with particular growth opportunities in emissions intensive sectors, in Asia, and through supply chains of companies that it already works with. The SBTi will play a leading role in the ecosystem for corporate net-zero transition, working with partner organizations to ensure that there is a coherent collective approach.

The SBTi is an independent legal entity, registered as a charity in the UK. It is a mission driven organization, with employees who are committed, professional and capable; there are just under 200 employees, with hubs in Mexico City, London and Berlin. Revenues are from a combination of commercial activity (i.e. payments for validation services) and philanthropic funding.

The CEO of the organization is David Kennedy, who has a twenty-year track record of leadership and impact on energy and net-zero, in the UK, Europe and internationally. The Chair of SBTi’s board is Francesco Starace, previously CEO of the Italian energy utility ENEL. The board includes representatives of partner organizations, members who bring business experience as well as leaders of international climate action.

The SBTi is an equal opportunity employer - committed to building an inclusive workplace and diverse staff, where all can thrive. We welcome and strongly encourage applications from candidates of all identities and backgrounds, and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or age.

For more information, please visit www.sciencebasedtargets.org

Key responsibilities of the Chief Operating Officer:

• Strategic finance: play a leading role in establishing budgets and overseeing these in-year, ensuring priories are adequately resourced, managing financial risks, and producing annual accounts.
• Human Resources: working with the head of HR to build a capable function, develop and implement policies, creating a high-performing and responsive team.
• Procurement: lead on securing consultancy services and other procurement in line with policies to secure value for money.
• Technology: Work with the head of technology to develop internal and public facing systems and websites. The key task will be project management, ensuring that the technology team meets the needs of the organization, and builds relationships and ways of working to support the organization.
• Hybrid working: develop an approach to hybrid working from a starting point of 100% virtual working. The challenge will be to establish face-to-face working at hubs, while ensuring virtual staff remain fully included, and to establish new offices in growing markets such as Asia.
• Member of the Executive Leadership Team: play a leading role in shaping the organization, with a focus on strategy, culture and ways of working.

Essential skills and experience needed:

• Financially qualified with a leadership track record in strategic finance.
• Leadership experience in one or more other areas covered in the areas of responsibility above (i.e. human resources, project/program management (technology or other), procurement.
• A proven ability to think strategically, turning high-level objectives into actionable and monitorable approaches.
• People leadership skills, creating a strong sense of team, empowering people to perform at their best.
• Experience of being in a senior leadership team.

Desirable:

• Working in an organization with a dispersed footprint.

Process:

• Please send a covering letter (no longer than two pages) and a CV by an email via the button belowby no later than midnight on the 18th of August 2025.
• Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed in September by a panel including the CEO and a member of the SBTi’s Board of Trustees.
• The job will be based in London.
• A competitive salary will be offered.