ClimateWorks Foundation Hiring Senior Program Associate, Cement & Building Materials (Remote – United Kingdom)
Advance Global Climate Action with ClimateWorks Foundation
Are you passionate about climate action, sustainable industry, and driving the transition to a net-zero economy? ClimateWorks Foundation is seeking a Senior Program Associate, Cement & Building Materials to support the Global Industry Hub (GIH) in accelerating the decarbonization of one of the world’s highest-emitting industries.
This remote opportunity, based in the United Kingdom (or other locations within the British Standard Time (BST) or Central European Time (CET) zones), is ideal for professionals with strong programme management, research, and stakeholder engagement experience who are committed to addressing climate change.
Working with international partners, governments, philanthropic organizations, and industry leaders, the successful candidate will contribute to one of the world’s leading initiatives focused on reducing emissions from cement and building materials.
About ClimateWorks Foundation
ClimateWorks Foundation is a global nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating climate solutions through strategic philanthropy, collaboration, and systems change.
Since its establishment in 2008, the foundation has awarded more than $2 billion in grants to over 850 organizations across 50 countries, working alongside more than 80 funding partners to support projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainable development.
Its work spans multiple sectors, including:
- Clean energy
- Heavy industry
- Sustainable transportation
- Buildings
- Climate finance
- Policy development
- Carbon reduction
- International collaboration
ClimateWorks connects funders, governments, researchers, businesses, and civil society organizations to scale innovative climate solutions worldwide.
About the Global Industry Hub
The Global Industry Hub (GIH) operates under the fiscal sponsorship of ClimateWorks Foundation and focuses on accelerating the decarbonization of heavy industry.
The Hub works across sectors including:
- Cement
- Concrete
- Steel
- Chemicals
Its mission is to mobilize philanthropic and catalytic capital to support industrial transformation through:
- Strategic grantmaking
- Policy innovation
- Technical expertise
- Financial alignment
- Institutional strengthening
- International collaboration
By bringing together governments, investors, industry leaders, development institutions, and civil society, the Hub helps build competitive and climate-resilient industrial systems.
About the Role
The Senior Program Associate will play a central role in managing the Global Industry Hub’s grantmaking portfolio while supporting strategy development, stakeholder engagement, and programme delivery.
This is a diverse position that combines programme management, climate research, communications, grant administration, and international collaboration.
As experience grows, the successful candidate will become a recognised subject matter expert representing the Global Industry Hub on issues relating to cement, concrete, and building materials.
Key Responsibilities
Grantmaking and Programme Management
Approximately half of the role focuses on grant administration and programme oversight.
Responsibilities include:
- Managing grants through assessment, approval, disbursement, monitoring, and evaluation.
- Maintaining strong relationships with grantees.
- Reviewing progress reports and ensuring accountability.
- Supporting cross-functional grantmaking activities.
- Coordinating with internal ClimateWorks teams.
Knowledge Sharing and Stakeholder Engagement
The role also includes organizing international engagement activities such as:
- Virtual meetings
- In-person workshops
- Stakeholder forums
- Annual Global Cement Decarbonization Convening
The successful candidate will help facilitate collaboration among experts while documenting key outcomes and sharing knowledge across the global network.
Strategy Development
The Senior Program Associate will contribute to long-term programme strategy by:
- Conducting research and policy analysis.
- Preparing technical briefings.
- Developing budgets and communications materials.
- Supporting programme planning.
- Representing the Global Industry Hub in external engagements.
This work helps guide investments that accelerate industrial decarbonization worldwide.
Required Qualifications
ClimateWorks is seeking candidates with a combination of technical expertise, programme management experience, and a demonstrated commitment to climate action.
Applicants should have:
- A Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, engineering, public policy, or a related discipline.
- At least five years of relevant programme or project management experience.
- Strong research and analytical skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
- Experience managing multiple projects simultaneously.
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, Salesforce, and similar business software.
- Willingness to travel internationally at least twice per year.
- Flexibility to collaborate across global time zones.
Preferred Qualifications
The following qualifications are considered advantageous:
- Master’s degree in engineering, policy, sustainability, or a related field.
- Experience within the cement, concrete, construction, or building materials industries.
- Previous grant management experience.
- Experience working within nonprofit or philanthropic organizations.
- Knowledge of industrial decarbonization strategies.
Why This Role Matters
The cement industry is responsible for approximately 8% of global carbon dioxide emissions, making it one of the most significant contributors to climate change.
Achieving global climate goals requires transforming how cement and concrete are produced while encouraging innovation across construction and infrastructure sectors.
The Senior Program Associate will contribute directly to these efforts by helping identify high-impact projects, supporting strategic investments, strengthening partnerships, and facilitating collaboration among leading experts.
Working Environment
ClimateWorks Foundation embraces a flexible and collaborative work environment built on its core values:
- Collaboration
- Curiosity
- Humility
- Continuous learning
- Innovation
- Responsible risk-taking
Although this is a remote position, employees regularly connect through:
- Annual staff retreats
- Department meetings
- In-person collaboration weeks
- International workshops
These gatherings help strengthen teamwork while supporting knowledge exchange across the organization.
Compensation
Compensation will be determined based on the successful candidate’s country of residence and local labour market conditions.
ClimateWorks Foundation aims to provide salaries that are:
- Competitive within each country.
- Above leading local market averages.
- Fair and equitable across its international workforce.
Employees also receive a comprehensive benefits package that varies according to local employment regulations.
Who Should Apply?
This opportunity is well suited to professionals working in:
- Climate policy
- Sustainability
- Environmental engineering
- Industrial decarbonization
- Programme management
- International development
- Philanthropy
- Environmental science
- Construction and infrastructure
- Clean energy
- Research and public policy
Candidates with experience collaborating across multiple countries and cultures will be particularly well positioned for success.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit their applications through the official ClimateWorks Foundation careers portal.
Applicants are encouraged to prepare:
- An updated CV or resume.
- Supporting application documents requested during the recruitment process.
ClimateWorks Foundation reminds applicants that it will never request credit card or financial information during recruitment. Any suspicious communications should be reported immediately.
APPLY ON THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE
Help Shape the Future of Sustainable Industry
The Senior Program Associate, Cement & Building Materials role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to one of the world’s most important climate transitions. By supporting grantmaking, research, stakeholder engagement, and industrial decarbonization strategies, the successful candidate will play an important role in reducing emissions from one of the most carbon-intensive sectors of the global economy.
If you are passionate about climate solutions, international collaboration, and creating lasting environmental impact, this position offers the opportunity to build a meaningful career while helping shape a more sustainable future.
Senior Program Associate / Senior Program Associate / Senior Program Associate / Senior Program Associate
