Chief Operating Officer in London

Emergent is a global non-profit that aims to mobilize public-private finance to conserve and restore the world's forests as a critical solution to the climate crisis. We serve as an intermediary between the private sector and forest nations, acting as a market catalyst to deliver transformational impact for the climate, biodiversity, and Indigenous Peoples and local communities.

Emergent purchases high-integrity carbon credits from 'jurisdictional' – national or subnational – REDD+ forest protection and reforestation programs that are verified to the ART TREES standard. We then sell these credits via the LEAF Coalition to corporate buyers, such as Amazon, EY and Bayer, and donor governments, including Norway and the UK, looking to drive significant impact and meet their climate and nature goals. We are also working with forest nations to issue and market credits for compliance programs such as CORSIA and various national carbon tax plans. The LEAF Coalition is a unique public-private partnership focused on halting tropical deforestation by 2030.

Emergent is seeking a Chief Operations Officer to strengthen and scale our internal operations. Reporting to the CEO and working closely with the Executive Team, the COO will be responsible for building the systems, processes, and tools that enable us to work efficiently and effectively. In addition to driving organizational performance and cross-functional integration, the COO will oversee core operational functions -- including Finance, HR, Marketing & Communication, and Fundraising – to ensure they are aligned, well-coordinated, and positioned to support Emergent's mission.

The COO is charged with translating our strategic vision into daily practice, ensuring ideas become actionable and sustainable. They are a dot-connector and systems thinker who fosters collaboration across teams. As an empathic and steady leader, the COO will help Emergent operate smoothly and adapt with resilience.

At Emergent, you will be part of a collaborative, high-impact team working to scale climate finance and protect the world's forests. Our ideal candidate is a seasoned executive; they have worked in climate or sustainability spaces; they have experience leading lean teams with ambitious missions; they are both solutions and systems oriented. Perhaps most importantly, they can effectively steward a complex operating model.

The COO will report to the CEO and have at least four direct reports. This is a full-time job, based at one of our hubs (London, Barcelona, New York, or Miami), in-office 1-3 days per week, starting as soon as possible; some travel is expected (up to 15%).

Responsibilities

• Partner with the CEO and Executive Team to develop business plans to deliver on Emergent's vision, aligning mission and strategy with operational capacity.
• Own operational infrastructure, translating operational strategy into objectives, performance measures, and results.
• Oversee financial planning, budgeting, and resource allocation in collaboration with the CFO.
• Identify and eliminate operational inefficiencies to boost productivity and reduce costs.
• Strengthen enterprise-wide systems, data infrastructure, and business intelligence to support scalability and operational efficiency.
• Set a clear direction and vision for the Operations department, provide mentoring and leadership to reporting teams, and set the tone and pace for the department's performance.
• Identify and mitigate operational risks and ensure business continuity and resilience.
• Foster strong relationships with key stakeholders, including the Executive Team, Board of Directors, funders, and key clients, sharing operational updates as necessary.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of senior operational leadership, ideally in mission-driven, growth-oriented organizations. Experience in climate, sustainability, or carbon markets is a significant plus.
• Strong track record in leading complex teams and business functions, with demonstrated results in scaling operations and organizational impact.
• Strong business and financial acumen with the ability to align operations, financial management, and strategy to drive organizational growth.
• Strong interpersonal and communication abilities with a collaborative leadership style.
• Excellent strategic and analytical skills, and superb change-management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional projects, ensuring coordination across teams and accountability for results.
• Bachelor's degree in business administration, finance, or related field; Master's degree strongly preferred.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit your resume and a one-page cover letter detailing why you are a strong fit for the role. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so early submissions are encouraged. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted. If your application is unsuccessful, we will not retain your personal data.

Emergent provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, local or other applicable laws.