Chief Strategy Officer

The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) is hiring a new Chief Strategy Officer to play a leading role in moving the organization to focus on action and implementing the net-zero corporate transition.

The SBTi has been incredibly successful in recent years, securing net-zero commitments and setting emissions reduction targets with around 10,000 companies around the world. It has particularly extensive corporate networks in the United States, the UK, Europe and Asia. In the next phase, SBTi will evolve its approach, designing standards which translate climate science to actions which companies should be taking to reduce their carbon footprint as well as working with companies, individually and at a system level, on the implementation journey. The aim will be to build SBTi’s community of companies, with particular growth opportunities in emissions intensive sectors, in Asia, and through supply chains of companies that it already works with. The SBTi will play a leading role in the ecosystem for corporate net-zero transition, working with partner organizations to ensure that there is a coherent collective approach.

The SBTi is an independent legal entity, registered as a charity in the UK. It is a mission driven organization, with employees who are committed, professional and capable; there are just under 200 employees, with hubs in Mexico City, London and Berlin. Revenues are from a combination of commercial activity (i.e. payments for validation services) and philanthropic funding.

The CEO of the organization is David Kennedy, who has a twenty-year track record of leadership and impact on energy and net-zero, in the UK, Europe and internationally. The Chair of SBTi’s board is Francesco Starace, previously CEO of the Italian energy utility ENEL. The board includes representatives of partner organizations, members who bring business experience as well as leaders of international climate action.

The SBTi is an equal opportunity employer – committed to building an inclusive workplace and diverse staff, where all can thrive. We welcome and strongly encourage applications from candidates of all identities and backgrounds, and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or age.

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Key responsibilities of the Chief Strategy Officer:

• Development and implementation of SBTi\’s strategy, working in partnership with businesses and other organizations, setting and implementing science-based targets, and reducing corporate carbon footprints towards net-zero by 2050 or earlier.
• With colleagues on the Executive Leadership Team (ELT), setting organization priorities, both for the medium-term and annually, in the form of a business plan.
• Overseeing progress implementing the business plan, including any course correction as required, e.g. flexing the work program, re-allocating resources.
• Developing an approach to organization transformation with a particular focus on joined up working across departments to deliver key strategic outcomes.
• Developing a framework of leading indicators to assess actions taken by companies and ensuing emissions reductions; supporting assessments of progress at company, peer group and system levels.

Oversight and close working with Engagement and Partnership teams, who will continue to have their own ELT member. (TBD depending on person profile and experience – to be discussed at interview)

• Ensuring that the SBTi engages closely with companies to gain insights which can then be reflected in its approach.
• Establishing the SBTi\’s role in the ecosystem with partner organizations, playing to its unique strengths and complementing activities of other organizations.
• Growing the SBTi\’s network of companies, across sectors and geographies, including potentially opening offices in Asia and then Africa.

Essential skills and experience needed:

• A track record of leadership on the net-zero transition.
• Very strong ability to think strategically and to turn thought into practical action within and beyond an organization.
• People leadership skills including creating a strong sense of team and empowering people to perform at their best.
• An ability to communicate difficult, technical concepts clearly for a general audience.
• Experience representing an organization at a senior level.
• Credibility at the highest levels of an organization, with strong relationship and network building skills.
• Experience of being in a senior leadership team.

Desirable:

• Working with companies on net-zero strategy and planning.
• Working with government on policy to support net-zero transition, from within or outside.
• Working in an organization with a dispersed footprint.

Process:

• Please send a covering letter (no longer than two pages) and a CV by an email via the button below by no later than midnight on the 18th of August 2025.
• Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed in September by a panel including the SBTi’s Chair and CEO.
• The job will be based in London.
• A competitive salary will be offered.

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