Director of Programmes, Beijing

Summary

Climate Group is seeking a strategic programme leader to serve as its first Director of Programmes, China. This is a newly created senior role based in our Beijing office, reporting to the China Executive Director.

China is leading the world's largest clean energy deployment and setting the pace for industrial decarbonisation at extraordinary scale. We're looking for an experienced leader to take strategic ownership of Climate Group's growing programmatic work here, deepening our impact in steel decarbonisation, clean energy systems, and emerging programme areas.

You'll set the multi-year direction for our China programmes, hold accountability for performance and growth, build high-level relationships with government, corporate, and NGO stakeholders, and strengthen Climate Group's position in one of the world's most dynamic climate landscapes.

For deeper insight into the role and our ambitions for China, please see the candidate pack.

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​ The role requires fluency in both Mandarin and English.

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About the role

Climate Group's Beijing office has built real momentum in steel decarbonisation and clean energy systems, connected to global initiatives including RE100, SteelZero, Under2 Coalition, and the Industrial Development Zone (IDZ) project. We are now at the start of a multi-year programme of work with substantial growth potential.

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The Director of Programmes is a newly created senior leadership role reporting to the China Executive Director. You'll work in partnership with the China Head of Systems who leads day-to-day delivery and technical quality, and work closely with London-based counterparts including the Directors of Energy, Philanthropy & Institutional Relations, and Asia Markets.

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This is a role that lives at the intersection of strategy and action: setting portfolio direction, building the relationships that open doors, and unblocking the barriers that slow progress.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Developing the 3-5 year strategic direction for Climate Group's China programmes, identifying where we can add unique value and advising on engagement decisions and trade-offs
• Holding strategic accountability for programme performance, impact, setting direction and owning outcomes, while delivery execution is led by the Head of Systems
• Building and nurturing senior-level relationships with Chinese and multinational corporations, central and provincial government officials, think tanks, and industry platforms
• Representing Climate Group in high-level forums and building our reputation within the Beijing NGO ecosystem
• Shaping the long-term China funding strategy, developing compelling programme concepts, and stewarding strategically important funder relationships
• Deepening engagement across Climate Group campaigns (RE100, SteelZero, IDZ) to maximise programmatic impact and connect China delivery to global priorities
• Acting as a senior spokesperson for Climate Group in China, shaping narratives and ensuring impactful communications, events, and convenings
• Leading a high-performing programme team: mentoring, developing, and building leadership capacity
• Aligning China programme strategy with Climate Group's broader Asia strategy and contributing to cross-regional innovation and collaboration
• Driving continuous improvement in monitoring, evaluation, and funder reporting

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You'll work in a highly collaborative, international environment, where a diversity of perspectives and experiences is valued and encouraged.

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About you

Joining a compact and ambitious China team, you'll be a proactive leader who is equally comfortable shaping strategy and driving delivery. You bring credibility with senior stakeholders, clear communication across cultures, and a mindset of continuous improvement. You act as a champion of innovation, bringing creative ideas on how we evolve our programmes to maximise impact, and you thrive when given the autonomy to make things happen.

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We value strengths and the desire to learn - if you meet the majority of the criteria listed below, please apply.

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Essential

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• Significant senior experience in climate, energy, sustainability, or international development, with a proven track record of leading complex multi-stakeholder programmes at scale
• Extensive professional experience working in or with China, including deep understanding of its policy, corporate, and government landscape
• Demonstrated success in senior-level relationship management and strategic influencing with government, corporate, and NGO stakeholders in China
• Experience designing and delivering climate-focused strategies (decarbonisation pathways, systems change, net zero transitions)
• Prior leadership experience within an international NGO, think tank, or mission-driven organisation
• Programme oversight, budget management, and fundraising experience in a global context
• Strategic thinking combined with hands-on delivery capability
• Fluency in both Mandarin and English
• Energy and/or heavy industry background strongly preferred

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Desirable

• Experience across multiple Asian markets beyond China
• Established networks within China's climate, energy, policy, or industrial circles
• Familiarity with corporate climate campaigns (RE100, SteelZero, or similar)
• Experience building long-term philanthropic funding pipelines
• Experience building organisational reputation within a competitive NGO landscape

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About Climate Group

Climate Group drives climate action. Fast. Our goal is a world of net zero carbon emissions by 2050, with greater prosperity for all.

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We focus on systems with the highest emissions and where our networks have the greatest opportunity to drive change. We do this by building large and influential networks and holding organisations accountable, turning their commitments into action.

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We share what we achieve together to show more organisations what they could do. We are an international non-profit organisation, founded in 2004, with offices in London, Amsterdam, Beijing, New Delhi and New York.

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Climate Group is an international organisation, and we want to reflect that in our staff. People who work for us, and people who apply, need to feel heard, safe, and included. That is why we are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion throughout our application process and in our offices. We encourage applications from people of all ages, gender identities, sexual orientations, abilities, and ethnicities, as we value a wide range of experiences and perspectives.

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Our location

This is a full-time position, based in Climate Group's China office in Beijing.

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We offer hybrid and flexible working. The role requires reasonable domestic travel and occasional international travel to London and other offices for strategy sessions and events.

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What we offer

Our people are at the heart of what we do. You'll be joining a global community of bold, ambitious doers who are committed to driving climate action fast.

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This is an initial 2-year fixed term contract, which can be renewed subject to assessment and organisation needs.

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We offer a competitive remuneration package commensurate with level of experience and a generous company paid vacation allowance.

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In addition to the rewards you'll find from working with friendly, passionate people who'll challenge and help you grow, we offer a fantastic benefits package: ​

• 36 days' paid vacation per year including public holidays, available from date of employment
• Supplementary medical insurance
• Annual health check-ups
• Paid leave for volunteering and moving house
• Hybrid and flexible working
• Learning and development opportunities

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​ We are committed to our mission and to our team's wellbeing. As part of this, we operate a working pattern that provides periodic non-working days (separate from and in addition to standard public holidays) to support sustainable performance and work life balance. This flexible wellbeing benefit is our standard practice, and any rare, temporary adaptation for business-critical needs will be managed with clear communication and consideration for the team. Candidates can learn more during the interview process.

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Apply now

Ready to shape Climate Group's impact in China? Submit your application now to recruitment@climategroup.org.cn with your English-language CV and a one-page cover letter that highlights how your experience and values align with our mission.

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Please note: We are only able to accept applications submitted via this email address. Applications sent via our Applicant Tracking System will not be considered.

When submitting, please also share your answers to the following questions:

• Do you have the right to work in China? If on a visa provide details of the type and expiry date.
• What is your annual salary expectation in CNY?
• What is your notice period?
• Are you fluent in English?
• Are you fluent in Mandarin?

If you need any further information, would like the job advert in an accessible format, or require additional support at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact us on the email address above.

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The closing date for applications is midnight BST on Sunday ​12 July 2026 . We'll be holding interviews on a rolling basis, therefore welcome and encourage early applications.

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To be eligible for this position, you must already have the right to work in China. Climate Group is unable to sponsor work visas or cover any related costs.

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Please note that your data will be processed in the UK and will therefore be subject to GDPR in addition to China's data protection laws. Please see our Privacy Policy for details.