IT Operations Lead

About the Pooled-Fund on International Energy (PIE) The Pooled fund on International Energy (PIE) is an international grant making and strategy platform with a mission to secure a safe climate, clean air and prosperity through a just transition in the power and steel sectors. We work with charitable foundations and regional climate foundations to support a diverse set of research institutions, think tanks and civil society organisations working with governments, business and other parts of society all over the world. We back local organisations and international partners to overcome the barriers to clean energy and steel. PIE was formed in 2013 as a platform of the European Climate Foundation (ECF). PIE is comprised of a small and dedicated international team of exceptional people based around the world. We seek to operate in accordance with a core set of values: Empowering and Caring Team, Bold Action with Urgency, Collaboration for Real World Impact, Resilient Partner with Climate Ecosystem, and Evidence-Based Decision-Making.

About the role The focus of this role is to support the PIE organization as it prepares itself to be independent while continuing its activities with its funders and partners. Do you enjoy building from scratch, setting up ways of working and finding solutions to complex IT problems? Do you love contributing at the tactical level while also working operationally? The IT Operations Lead is the owner and builder of PIE's IT environment. During the transition, the role works hands‑on with the IT consultant and vendors to implement, configure, and operationalise core systems, ensuring PIE can run them independently. Post‑transition, the role owns and continuously improves the IT stack—adapting systems, workflows, and tools to evolving organisational needs.

Key responsibilities

• Phase 1: Build and transition (months 4-24)
• System implementation & build: Work directly with IT consultant and vendors to configure and implement systems. Translate plans into working solutions (setup, configuration, testing). Resolve blockers and ensure systems are practical and usable in reality.
• Testing, rollout & cutover: Lead testing, rollout, and cutover activities; ensure systems are ready for day‑to‑day use, not just technically complete; manage coexistence with legacy systems where required.
• Documentation & operational readiness: Build practical runbooks and SOPs for all core systems; document how systems work in practice (configurations, workflows, dependencies); ensure no system depends on external or undocumented knowledge.
• Security & access baseline: Implement and maintain basic security and access controls; support GDPR processes in coordination with Legal; ensure key processes (access, incident response) are operational and tested.
• Independence readiness: Ensure each system can be run independently by PIE; confirm clear ownership, documented processes, no single points of failure, and active vendor support where needed.
• Phase 2: Steady state (from ~month 18 onwards)
• System ownership & improvement: Own and continuously improve core platforms (M365, grants system, identity layer); design and implement practical solutions (workflows, permissions, automations, integrations).
• Lead change management: Test, deploy, and document updates.
• Vendor & platform management: Own relationships with IT vendors and tools; monitor performance and drive improvements proactively; manage licenses, contracts, onboarding and offboarding.
• User support: Provide or coordinate IT support across the organisation; manage onboarding/offboarding (devices, access); track and resolve recurring issues.
• Security & compliance: Maintain a fit‑for‑purpose security baseline; work with MSP/MSSP on monitoring and incidents; ensure controls evolve alongside system changes.

Experiences and competencies

• Hands‑on and comfortable building systems, not just managing them.
• Can configure and adapt SaaS tools (e.g., M365, workflows, permissions, integrations).
• Thinks in practical solutions, not perfect architectures.
• Comfortable working in a partially built, evolving environment.
• Works well with vendors but does not rely on them to do everything.
• Balances structure with pragmatism.
• Experience in small or scaling organisations is a strong plus.
• Led projects from A to Z and can build a project plan (deliverables, actions, milestones, timeline etc.).
• Good communication skills.
• Fluency in English.
• Fast learner with a can‑do attitude.
• Can work autonomously towards tight deadlines and changing priorities.
• Impeccable work ethics.

Location options

Any ECF office location (Berlin, Brussels, Budapest, the Hague, London, Madrid, Paris, Warsaw). Candidates must be entitled to work in the country they are applying for.

Start date: August

How to apply

The deadline for applications is 16 June, 2026, by 17:00 CEST. Applicants are encouraged to upload their CV and motivation letter as one combined document, including the proposed daily consulting rate. All applications will be treated confidentially. We will store your information in our internal database unless you specifically request otherwise.