Senior Strategic Content and Partnerships Manager

C40 Cities; City Of London; On-site; GBP 64,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading climate organization in the UK is seeking a Senior Strategic Content and Partnerships Manager to enhance engagement with strategic funders and produce compelling content that communicates the organization's priorities. Ideal candidates will have exceptional writing skills, experience in grant writing, and a strong interest in climate sustainability. The role offers a salary of GBP 63,323 annually and requires the right to work in the UK.

Qualifications

• Strong portfolio of successful grant applications or fundraising materials.
• Ability to translate complex information into clear narratives.
• Proficiency in designing visual documents and presentations.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with the Director of the Executive Office on funder engagement.
• Draft memos and presentations using internal information.
• Manage and maintain internal records databases and CRM systems.

Skills

Exceptional writing, editing and copy‑editing skills

Proven experience in grant writing

Strong organizational and project coordination abilities

Native proficiency in English

Demonstrated climate or urban sustainability interest

Tools

Salesforce

Asana

PowerPoint

Canva

Job description

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, New York, Johannesburg, Singapore, Delhi, Rio de Janeiro, Copenhagen, Beijing and Paris, and on‑site staff based across 25 different locations.

​The strategic direction of the organisation is determined by an elected Steering Committee of C40 mayors, 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 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 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 environment for you living with a disability, chronic illness or neurodiversity please inform us to provide you with the proper assistance in the application process.

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 that 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

• Work closely with the Director of the Executive Office to support engagement with strategic funders, including tracking all deliverables, coordinating delivery internally, attending meetings and implementing follow‑ups.
• Draft memos and presentations on 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.
• Produce ad‑hoc timely memos on programs or geopolitical developments and impact reports.
• Support cross‑organisational task forces on the fundraising priorities identified by C40’s Senior Leadership Team.
• Lead 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 subject‑matter experts.
• Reach out to prospective partners directly to connect them with the best internal point of contact when needed.
• Develop and own strategic content templates for other teams to use as part of their fundraising and funder engagement work.
• Review and coordinate grant proposals and reports above a certain threshold.
• Review, enhance, document and maintain the Executive Office’s engagement with other departments, ensuring a consistent and effective system to capture, analyse and share information within the team.
• Focus agendas and information‑exchange protocols on the most relevant and useful data needed by the Executive Office.
• Manage and maintain internal records databases and project management tools including CRM systems such as Asana and Salesforce, ensuring data integrity for effective outreach and reporting.
• Provide feedback and reports on the efficacy of systems and regularly suggest improvements.

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 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 Wednesday 29th of October 2025 at 5 pm UK time. C40 reserves the right to close this job opening before the closing date for applications so please submit applications early.

Follow us on Twitter @c40cities and like us on Facebook. If you have any questions about the role please contact us at [email protected]

C40 is an equal opportunity employer.