Summary
Asia is the fastest-moving frontier of the global climate transition. Climate Group is looking for a strategic leader to shape how we operate, grow, and deliver impact across the region's most consequential markets.
As our first Director of Asia Markets, you will be the strategic focal point for Climate Group's work across China, Southeast Asia, and East Asia, reporting directly to our CEO. This newly created role is a rare opportunity to shape a fast-growing regional portfolio within one of the world’s most respected climate organisations.You’ll bring clarity and cohesion to our programmes and strengthen our position as a trusted platform for accelerating Asia’s low carbon transition.
If you combine deep regional expertise with the strategic vision to connect programmes, partnerships, and policy influence into an integrated approach, we want to hear from you.
For deeper insight into the role and our ambitions for Asia, please see the candidate pack.
About the role
Climate Group's work in Asia is complex and growing. In China, our Beijing office has achieved significant impact in steel decarbonisation and clean energy systems, and we are at the start of a multi-year programme with huge potential. Our work in East Asia (Japan and South Korea) is mature, built on established coalitions and long-standing partnerships. In Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia), we are growing rapidly, delivering through local partners focused primarily on policy influencing and connected to our global campaigns.
Until now, this work has been delivered as a collection of programmes. This role exists to change that: to pull together strategy, partnerships, information flow, and operational coordination into a coherent regional approach that accelerates our pace and deepens our impact.
You'll partner with colleagues across the entire organisation, from the China Programme Director and Systems teams to Governments & Policy, Communications and Development teams in our London headquarters. This is a standalone strategic connector role with reach across Climate Group, designed for someone who leads through influence, coordination, and partnership.
Key responsibilities will include:
- Developing and owning a joined-up Asia strategy across China, Southeast Asia, and East Asia, aligning team and geographic strategies into a coherent regional approach for the current year and next three-year strategic period
- Leading Climate Group's cross-organisational country working groups (Indonesia, South Korea, Japan, China), evolving them from information-sharing forums into strategically aligned engines for insight, prioritisation and recommendations
- Taking senior ownership of regional partnerships, building new alliances that strengthen Climate Group's influence across the Asian climate landscape
- Building and nurturing senior-level networks with multinational corporations, government policymakers, funders, and industry platforms across the region
- Improving information flow and decision-making speed across teams and offices, particularly between China and London, using project dashboards and regular reporting to EMT and Board
- Contributing to Climate Group's long-term Asia funding strategy, working with our Development team to build compelling concepts and steward funder relationships
- Positioning Climate Group as a credible regional player, building ecosystem presence and laying groundwork for future growth through strategic relationship development
- Shaping the Climate Group Asia Action Summit into a high-influence, financially sustainable event by 2027, including content development and sponsor pipeline expansion
- Acting as a senior spokesperson for Climate Group in Asia, representing the organisation in high-level forums and shaping narratives that strengthen our strategic positioning
- Sourcing and managing external operational partners (Employer of Record providers, legal counsel) to support delivery and growth across the region
You’ll work in a highly collaborative, international environment, where a diversity of perspectives and experiences is valued and encouraged.
About you
You are a strategic leader with deep Asia expertise who thrives at the intersection of strategy and delivery. You hold complexity with confidence, influence across boundaries, and bring the regional credibility to open doors at the most senior levels. You are motivated by the urgency of climate action and energised by the opportunity to shape how a respected international organisation grows its impact in the world's most critical markets.
We value strengths and a passion for learning. If you meet most of the criteria below, we encourage you to apply.
Essential
- Significant senior leadership experience in climate, energy, sustainability, international development, or a related policy/advocacy field
- Deep professional experience in at least two of the Asian markets covered by this role (China, Southeast Asia, East Asia), including language capability and lived experience in the region
- Strong understanding of Asia's political, economic, and corporate landscape as it relates to energy transition, industrial decarbonisation, and climate policy
- Proven track record building and managing high-level partnerships with corporates, governments, funders, and civil society across diverse cultural contexts
- Experience developing and executing regional or multi-market strategies in complex, matrixed organisational environments
- Demonstrated ability to influence without direct authority, solving problems and driving action through coordination, persuasion, and collaboration
- Operational understanding of contracting, budgeting, and working with subcontractors and delivery partners in international contexts
- Willingness and ability to travel regularly to the region
Desirable
- Existing networks within the climate, clean energy, or sustainability ecosystem in Asia
- Experience working in or with non-profit, NGO, or mission-driven organisations at a senior level
- Knowledge of the funder landscape for climate work in Asia (philanthropic, bilateral, multilateral)
- Experience of event strategy, high-level convening, or platform development
- Experience of organisational growth, market entry, or office establishment in Asian markets
- Mandarin, Bahasa Indonesia, Thai, Vietnamese, Japanese, or Korean language skills (in addition to the essential language requirement)
About Climate Group
Climate Group drives climate action. Fast. Our goal is a world of net zero carbon emissions by 2050, with greater prosperity for all.
We focus on systems with the highest emissions and where our networks have the greatest opportunity to drive change. We do this by building large and influential networks and holding organisations accountable, turning their commitments into action.
We share what we achieve together to show more organisations what they could do. We are an international non-profit organisation, founded in 2004, with offices in London, Amsterdam, Beijing, New Delhi and New York.
Climate Group is an international organisation, and we want to reflect that in our staff. People who work for us, and people who apply, need to feel heard, safe, and included. That is why we are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion throughout our application process and in our offices. We encourage applications from people of all ages, gender identities, sexual orientations, abilities, and ethnicities, as we value a wide range of experiences and perspectives.
Where you’ll work
Based in our London office, near the iconic Tower Bridge, you’ll enjoy a flexible hybrid working arrangement of five days in the office over a fortnight.
Our office is designed to support both collaborative work and focused individual time. It includes accessible facilities, a well-equipped gym, secure bike storage, and showers. Plus, we’re easy to reach by bike and public transport.
This role involves regular international travel to Asia, with the expectation that you will spend time in-market building relationships, attending events, and supporting our teams and partners across the region.
What we offer
At Climate Group, our people are at the heart of what we do. You’ll join a global community of bold, ambitious doers committed to driving climate action fast.
This role is scoped as a full-time position. If you meet the role requirements and require a part-time working arrangement let’s discuss.
This is a permanent position. The salary offered is £87,500 to £95,000 per annum, based on experience.
To enable sustainable high performance in support of our mission, while prioritising the health and wellbeing of our people, we offer a 9-day fortnight. This is a way of working that encourages smarter planning and effective prioritisation, where each fortnight includes either a scheduled non-working day or a bank holiday. It is a flexible, non-contractual benefit that may adapt around business needs and periods of higher workload.
Beyond working alongside friendly, motivated colleagues who will support and challenge you, we offer a fantastic benefits package:
- Generous holiday allowance: 25 days annually, plus public holidays and 3 extra days for our Christmas to New Year closure
- 10% employer pension contribution: Non-contributory scheme available after three months’ service
- Long-service reward: An additional day’s holiday after three and six years with us
- Flexible and hybrid working: Supporting your work-life balance
- Comprehensive health benefits: Cash plan and private medical insurance after completing probation
- Family-first policies: Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave, plus support for fertility treatments
- Wellbeing perks: Monthly wellbeing allowance and Headspace membership
- Additional leave options: Paid leave for volunteering, moving house, and getting married
- Peace of mind: Life assurance from your first day
- Cycling support: E-bike and bike loan scheme up to £1,000
- Travel made easier: Season ticket and e-bike membership loan scheme
- Investing in you: Learning and development opportunities to help you thrive in a global, purpose-driven organisation
Apply now
Ready to shape climate outcomes across Asia? Apply now with your CV and a one-page cover letter that highlights how your experience and values align with our mission.
If you need further information, would like the job advert in an accessible format, or require additional support at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact Heather James, HR Director at [email protected].
The closing date for applications is midnight BST on Sunday 12 July. First-round interviews will take place in July.
