Head of Validation

SBTi Services is looking for an operationally rigorous leader responsible for managing the continuous improvement of the Validation Team and the execution of all validation streams.

The Head of Validation is a high-visibility role that reports strategically within a growing corporate structure to the SBTi Services Managing Director.

The Head of Validation role requires a unique blend of technical expertise, commercial sensitivities, and compassionate team leadership to manage capacity, operationalize standards, and maintain scaling velocity.

The Validation Team operates from South Africa, Germany, France, UK, USA, and Mexico with around 30 team members.

About the SBTi

The Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) is a global body enabling businesses to set ambitious emissions reductions targets in line with the latest climate science.

It is focused on accelerating companies worldwide to halve emissions before 2030 and achieve net‑zero emissions before 2050.

The SBTi defines and promotes best practices in science‑based target setting, offers resources and guidance to reduce barriers to adoption, and independently assesses and approves companies’ targets.

• For more information, please visit www. sciencebasedtargets. org
• About SBTi Services

SBTi Services Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), a corporate climate action organization and standard‑setter that enables companies and financial institutions worldwide to play their part in combating the climate crisis.

SBTi Services is a distinct legal entity and operates independently from the standard‑setter, the SBTi.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership
• Provide active leadership, mentorship, and performance management to functional leaders across Technical Assurance and Validation – as well as overseeing the analysts to ensure high performance, balanced workload allocation, and continuous professional growth.
• Manage the global validation capacity, ensuring long‑term operational visibility by mapping out workloads with the Delivery Manager to balance strategic projects with validation flow.
• Design and implement team retention plans, including feedback loops and manage the recruitment lifecycle for team additions as needed.
• Cultivate structured touchpoints with Services and wider SBTi leaders to ensure internal operations and strategic projects are well coordinated.
• Prepare and present operational reporting data to the SBTi Services Board, highlighting validation challenges and wins.
• Maintain continuous virtual team morale through interventions such as cross‑functional milestone sharing and team social events.
• Operational Delivery
• Oversee core workflow improvements, including shifting current processes to align with the recently launched Corporate Net Zero Standard Version 2.0 while continuing to optimize the current validation process.
• Manage internal work instructions, external procedures, and submission documentation required for emerging 2026 validation products.
• Coordinate closely with the SBTi to ensure that Services’ practical validation procedures match the new Corporate Net Zero Standard Version 2.0 expectations.
• Manage validation pipelines to hit monthly targets to satisfy revenue goals.
• Partner with the Technology team to prioritize validation portal bugs, institute accountable resolution timelines, and communicate transparent fix times to facilitate companies in the validation process.
• Architect the operational integration of upcoming platform features, including operationalizing SBTi requirements.
• Create business requirements for the recently launched Corporate Net Zero Standard Version 2.0 to be integrated into the technology product suite.
• Technical Escalations, Assurance and Quality
• Direct the design and execution of assurance mechanisms for validations, continually monitoring, assessing, and reporting on risks, gaps, or structural inconsistencies in operational delivery and technical requirements.
• Act as the final authority on high‑impact validation calls, complex company account blockages, and stakeholder dispute resolutions.
• Review and ratify framework deviations, formally documenting justifications for executive sign‑off.
• Ensure the validation team’s continuous alignment with assurance requirements, including preparing the team for formal ISO accreditation.

Experience and Skills

• Extensive experience managing multidisciplinary technical or operational teams within international environments.
• Demonstrated track record managing high‑volume operations tied to revenue targets, and rapid scaling demands.
• Superb stakeholder management skills, with the presence and tact required to act as a senior point of technical contact for global accounts.
• Deep commitment to climate action, sustainability, and driving the corporate ecosystem towards net‑zero alignment.
• Experience in conformity assessment, certification, and/or the wider International Standards Organization (ISO) landscape.
• Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) Standards and/or Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHGP) knowledge, including applications to corporate inventories.
• Important information before you apply
• This is a full‑time role based in UK, Europe or Mexico.
• The salary for this role will depend on location and experience level.
• Interested candidates should be legally allowed to work in the specified countries and already be visa holders.

The SBTi cannot sponsor working visas .

If you are interested, please complete our application form .

What we offer

• Working in one of the most successful and fastest‑growing initiatives driving climate action.
• Exciting and challenging tasks in a dynamic, international, innovative, and highly motivated team.
• Training and development.
• Attractive holiday package plus public holidays in your country.
• Competitive NGO salary range.

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 based on race, color, religion, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or age.

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