At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead fundraising efforts and build strategic partnerships to support climate initiatives.
- Company: Join the Climate Emergency Collaboration Group, a dynamic charity focused on global climate action.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, opportunity for international travel, and a chance to shape impactful climate strategies.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with opportunities for innovation and growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in climate collaboration while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in securing significant funding and building relationships with diverse stakeholders.
The predicted salary is between 75600 - 92400 £ per year.
The international climate landscape is entering a decisive period.
As geopolitical tensions rise and confidence in multilateral cooperation weakens, new forms of collaboration, leadership and finance will be needed to sustain global climate ambition.
Founded in 2020, the Climate Emergency Collaboration Group is a strategic regranting and collaboration platform backed by some of the world’s leading climate philanthropies.
Our mission is to renew, reimagine, and regenerate international cooperation that delivers for people and planet.
Following our successful transition from fiscal sponsorship in the United States and establishment as an independent UK charity, CECG is entering a new phase of organisational and programmatic development.
We now have full operational independence, a strengthened governance structure, and an evolved strategic framework for our grantmaking and wider impact.
We are now recruiting our inaugural Director of Development to help sustain the organisation into the future
Reporting directly to the CEO, this senior leadership role will lead CECG’s fundraising, with primary responsibility for securing income, strengthening and diversifying our funding base, deepening strategic funder relationships and sharpening the organisation’s external positioning.
The Director will bring together fundraising, strategic partnerships, and brand communications within a single leadership function.
They will help CECG build a resilient funding base, communicate the impact of our partners and grantees, and develop new opportunities for sustainable organisational growth.
We are seeking a highly collaborative and entrepreneurial leader who is comfortable building new functions, operating in an evolving organisation, and moving between high-level strategy and hands‑on delivery.
Key responsibilities
- 1. Growth and income strategy
- Personally lead major funding opportunities and coordinate fundraising with the CEO and programme leaders, with clear ownership of donor relationships, proposals and asks.
- Develop and lead CECG’s organisation‑wide income and growth strategy.
- Establish clear income diversification objectives across relevant funding streams.
- Identify and cultivate new funders, partnerships, and funding opportunities.
- Work with the Executive Team to reduce income concentration and manage funding volatility.
- Develop robust forecasting, pipeline management and reporting systems.
- 2. Strategic partnerships and funder engagement
- Build trusted relationships with senior leaders across philanthropic and donor institutions.
- Communicate the impact of CECG, its grantees, and its strategic priorities to existing and prospective funders.
- Develop and maintain a strategic map of the climate philanthropy and international cooperation funding landscape.
- Lead the stewardship of CECG’s existing funders, including trusts, foundations, major philanthropic donors and other institutional partners.
- Build and manage a strong pipeline of secured, prospective and longer‑term funding.
- Represent CECG externally to strengthen its profile, reputation and credibility.
- 3. Communications and organisational positioning
- Develop and lead CECG’s communications and brand strategy.
- Strengthen CECG’s external narrative and positioning among funders, partners and the wider climate community.
- Oversee the production of high‑quality organisational reporting and strategic publications, working with Finance and Operations on statutory reporting, and with programme colleagues on impact evidence.
- Guide CECG’s digital communications and engagement.
- Ensure communications consistently demonstrate the contribution and impact of CECG’s partners and grantees.
- 4. Organisational Management and Innovation
- Lead a small partnerships team and ensure effective funder stewardship, award management, communications execution, and administration across workstreams.
- Work with Executive Team to identify and develop new funding models, strategic collaborations, hosted initiatives and other opportunities aligned with CECG’s mission.
- Design and test new approaches to generating income and expanding organisational impact.
- Assess emerging opportunities and recommend where CECG should invest, partner or incubate new work.
- This Director‑level position is expected to join the Senior Management Team as the structure is finalised.
This role may be right for you if you
- thrive in fast‑paced and evolving environments;
- enjoy working with globally distributed, multicultural teams;
- have a strong record of securing and stewarding funding of $30m or more per annum;
- combine strategic judgement with relationship‑building and delivery;
- are motivated by the opportunity to build a function rather than inherit a finished one;
- are comfortable moving between senior‑level engagement and practical execution.
The role may be less suitable if you
- require fully established systems and clearly defined processes from day one;
- prefer a narrowly bounded role with limited organisational responsibility;
- are uncomfortable operating with ambiguity or adapting priorities as the organisation evolves;
- do not enjoy combining strategic leadership with hands‑on delivery.
For the right person, this is an unusual opportunity to shape the next phase of a growing and influential international climate organisation.
About CECG
The Climate Emergency Collaboration Group (CECG) exists to make international climate action more connected, more strategic and more effective.
We bring together philanthropy, policymakers, civil society and other leaders to tackle problems that no single organisation, funder or institution can solve alone.
As an independent UK‑based charity, we work across organisational, geographic and sector boundaries — identifying gaps, connecting people and ideas, building partnerships and directing philanthropic resources towards opportunities for meaningful impact.
Our work is international by design.
We believe that effective responses to the climate emergency must reflect a changing global landscape and give greater weight to the perspectives, expertise and leadership of the Global South.
CECG is now expanding its strategic reach beyond the traditional climate architecture.
We want to explore where climate intersects with trade, international finance, global security and the institutions and groupings increasingly shaping international cooperation.
Location and travel
CECG is headquartered in London, with several prominent UK‑based donors.
Our preference is for this role to be located either in London, or in the US where several other CECG donors are based, and potential growth of the donor base lies.
- The position requires approximately
- 30–40 days of international travel each year
Development Director (US) in London employer: Climate Emergency Collaboration Group
Climate Emergency Collaboration Group provides a unique opportunity for professionals to engage in meaningful climate action and develop their careers in a supportive environment. The organization emphasizes collaboration and innovation, allowing employees to make a significant impact in the climate sector. With a focus on strategic partnerships and fundraising, it offers a pathway for growth and professional development.
Contact Details:
Climate Emergency Collaboration Group Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Development Director (US) in London
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Climate Emergency Collaboration Group.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Climate Emergency Collaboration Group.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Climate Emergency Collaboration Group.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Climate Emergency Collaboration Group. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Development Director (US) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Climate Emergency Collaboration Group. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Development Director (US), ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Climate Emergency Collaboration Group
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Climate Emergency Collaboration Group. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
