Programmes Director (Parental Cover – 12 months) | World Green Building Council

We are looking for an experienced, delivery-focused Programmes Director to join WorldGBC for a 12-month parental cover period, stepping into a pivotal role at the heart of our global programmes work.

World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) represents a global network of Green Building Councils (GBCs) working to accelerate the transition to a sustainable built environment. Through our global campaigns, partnerships and thought leadership, our work brings together governments, businesses and organisations worldwide to drive climate action at scale.

We are seeking a senior leader to drive the delivery of WorldGBC’s strategic programmes and flagship outputs, while leading a high-performing team and strengthening engagement with partners, sponsors and our global network of GBCs. This is a delivery-focused leadership role. You will be accountable for ensuring that WorldGBC’s priority programme outputs are delivered on time, to a high standard, with strong engagement from all relevant stakeholders, and with high impact. You will lead and manage the Programmes team, working closely with senior leadership, partners and GBCs to ensure that our work is coordinated, well-resourced and delivering against organisational priorities. This role reports to the Senior Impact Director.

Responsibilities

• Delivery of strategic programmes and outputs

• Own and drive the delivery of WorldGBC’s priority programme outputs, ensuring they are delivered on time, to quality, and with clear impact.
• Lead planning, prioritisation and tracking of key deliverables across programmes.
• Ensure alignment of programme delivery with organisational strategy and external positioning.
• Oversee delivery of major outputs (including global reports and initiatives), ensuring strong coordination across internal teams and external contributors.
• Proactively manage risks, resolve delivery challenges and maintain momentum across complex workstreams.
• Provide clear reporting and visibility to senior leadership on progress, risks and performance.

• Lead strategic engagement with GBCs, sponsors and partners to actively contribute to the delivery of WorldGBC’s programmes through taskforces, steering groups and working groups, ensuring alignment with WorldGBC’s governance structures and strategic priorities.
• Ensure GBCs, partners, and sponsors are effectively mobilised, coordinated and supported to deliver programme outputs, with clear roles, expectations and high-quality contributions.
• Maintain strong, proactive relationships with partners and sponsors, ensuring high levels of satisfaction, visibility and value, and positioning WorldGBC as a trusted and impactful partner.
• Identify and cultivate opportunities to expand and strengthen the sponsorship and partnership pipeline, leveraging existing relationships to open doors to new funding and collaboration.
• Strengthen engagement across the global network of GBCs, ensuring their active and consistent participation in programme delivery and alignment with global priorities.
• Work closely with internal teams to ensure a coherent, strategic and consistent approach to engaging partners, sponsors and GBCs across all programmes.

• Provide strong day-to-day leadership of the Programmes team, ensuring clarity of priorities, accountability and delivery focus.
• Line-manage team members, providing direction, support and performance management.
• Foster a high-performing, collaborative and solutions-oriented team culture.
• Ensure effective resourcing and coordination across programme activities.
• Support team development and maintain continuity and momentum throughout the parental cover period.

• Work closely with the Senior Impact Director and relevant WorldGBC staff to ensure alignment across strategy, delivery and engagement.
• Support the team by representing WorldGBC with GBCs, partners, and/or sponsors, at external events as required.
• Support clear and consistent communication of programme priorities, progress and impact.

About you

We are looking for a delivery-focused leader with strong experience managing teams, partnerships and complex programmes. You will bring:

• Proven experience leading the delivery of strategic programmes or initiatives, with accountability for outputs and outcomes.
• Strong team leadership and line management experience, with the ability to drive performance through others.
• Experience working with or across networks, coalitions or international organisations.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong technical skills related to the built environment.
• Strong experience executing major research and technical writing outputs.
• A collaborative, proactive and solutions-oriented approach.

Contract information

This is a fixed-term maternity cover position for approximately 12 months. The role is expected to start on 20th July 2026 to allow for a handover before parental leave begins. Candidates must have native/fluent written and spoken English and have the right to work in the UK. This is a Hybrid position with 2 to 3 days based in our London Office.

How to apply

Please submit your application via our website. WorldGBC is committed to creating an inclusive workplace and welcomes applications from candidates of all backgrounds.