Head of Transport Innovation & Technical Engagement (Paternity Cover)

C40 Cities; London; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 87,000; Full time

Job summary

C40 Cities is looking for a Head of Transport Innovation & Technical Engagement (Paternity Cover) to support the urgent climate action initiatives. The role involves leading teams on transport policies and direct engagement with cities globally to foster collaborative climate solutions.

Qualifications

• Significant experience working directly with cities on transport policies.
• Proven skills in project delivery and management.
• Experience of leading diverse, international teams.

Responsibilities

• Oversee delivery of C40’s work on public transport and cycling.
• Lead a small team focused on transport topics.
• Engage with regional delivery teams and provide strategic direction.

Skills

Project management

Communication

Problem-solving

Education

Climate change experience

Tools

Excel

Job description

Head of Transport Innovation & Technical Engagement (Paternity Cover)

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Head of Transport Innovation & Technical Engagement (Paternity Cover)

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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

The position sits under the transport team in C40’s Climate Solutions and Networks (CSN) team, which 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.

Position Description:

The Head of Transport Innovation & Technical Engagement (Paternity Cover) will work closely with the Director of Transport to oversee the delivery of C40’s work on public transport, and walking & cycling. They will lead a small team delivering on these topics directly, as well as working with C40’s regional delivery teams and other sectoral programmes. The Head of Transport Innovation & Technical Engagement (Paternity Cover) will also serve as the primary technical expert on transport at C40. They will engage across all C40 research products and data analysis relating to transport, as well as oversee the production of knowledge management resources.

The ideal candidate will have significant experience working directly with cities on the development and delivery of transport policies. The postholder will be an exceptional and experienced transport professional, with exemplary skills and experience in project delivery/ management, coordination and reporting. A natural collaborator and convener, they will bring together C40 teams to achieve common goals, maximising efficiency and impact.

The candidate needs to be proactive, and able to work with a wide range of individuals and multi-disciplinary teams (including resilience, city finance, air quality, inclusive climate action, communications and stakeholder engagement). They will have experience of managing teams across different locations and time zones; as well as working with a diverse range of cities and local contexts to find practical solutions to unlock barriers to ambitious action.

Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic direction, leadership and line management for the Senior Managers for the Walking & Cycling, and Public Transport Networks;
• Work with the Transport Programme Directors to oversee the development and management of all C40 knowledge management and communications products related to Transport;
• Work with the C40 Climate Action Planning team to provide expert advice on all transport content to support the delivery and update of Climate Action Plans;
• Act as the focal point for the transport team on C40’s internal working groups and programmes, including Monitoring Evaluation and Reporting, Consumption Based Emissions, the City Finance Facility and the CAI programme;
• Review all C40 research and data collection related to transport and work with the Data and Analytics team to improve data quality. Disseminate qualitative and quantitative data to team to inform the work of the transport programme;
• Work with Transport Programme Directors to provide strategic direction on the C40 transport team programme, and support fundraising activities of the Transport programme;
• Participate in C40 Transport activities and other relevant events to develop deep expertise in the work C40 cities are undertaking in these areas;
• Represent C40 transport team at external events as appropriate; and
• Other duties as assigned.

Person Specification:

• Significant experience working directly with cities on the development and delivery of transport policies.
• Experience in government, business and/or NGO sectors with a strong focus on programme management and delivery. Climate change experience preferred.
• Ability to work with a global and remote team, with experience leading a virtual team preferred.
• Superior organisational skills and acute attention to detail.
• Strong problem-solving, interpersonal and strategic thinking capabilities coupled with an outcome, delivery-oriented approach required.
• Advanced Excel skills and experience of practical use of a variety of project management tools.
• Very strong written and verbal communication skills coupled with excellent convening skills. Experience organising events is desirable.
• Fluent in English (spoken and written); proficiency in Spanish or Portuguese desirable.
• Experience of staff management and team leadership, including in a matrix structure
• Experience of fundraising is desirable.

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 Transport

Term: Fixed term contract until the 30th September 2026

Location: UK & South Africa - 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 2) UK GBP £75,419 , South Africa ZAR 1,358,208 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:

Interested applicants should submit a curriculum vitae and a cover letter. The closing date for receipt of applications is Monday, 7th July 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 how C40 handles your personal information, please review our Privacy Notice – Recruitment.

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