Background
C40 is a network of nearly 100 mayors of the world’s leading cities, who are working to deliver the urgent action needed right now to confront the climate crisis, and create a future where everyone, everywhere can thrive. Mayors of C40 cities are committed to using a science-based and people-focused approach to help the world limit global heating to 1.5°C and build healthy, equitable and resilient communities. Through a Global Green New Deal, mayors are working alongside a broad coalition of representatives from labour, business, the youth climate movement and civil society to go further and faster than ever before.
C40’s team of 400+ staff is based in offices in London, in New York, Johannesburg, Singapore, Delhi, Rio de Janeiro, Copenhagen, Beijing and Paris, and individual staff based across 25+ different locations.
The strategic direction of the organisation is determined by an elected Steering Committee of C40 mayors, which is chaired by Mayor Sadiq Khan of London and Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr of Freetown. Three-term Mayor of New York City Michael R. Bloomberg serves as President of the C40 Board of Directors, responsible for operational oversight. A regionally diverse management team, led by Executive Director Mark Watts, leads the day-to-day management of C40. C40’s two core strategic funders are Bloomberg Philanthropies and Realdania.
Our international staff work with the C40 network under the leadership of city governments to deliver this mission. Using a data-driven approach, our team identifies and promotes the exchange of proven programmes and policies developed by cities; provides world-class research, technical expertise and access to key partners to deliver new programmes and policies with cities; and communicates cities’ individual achievements and collective leadership.
About The Global Covenant of Mayors For Climate & Energy
The Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy (GCoM or Global Covenant), is a global coalition of cities and local governments with a shared long-term vision of promoting and supporting voluntary action to combat climate change and move to a low-carbon, resilient society. The alliance unites and inspires its stakeholders to strengthen global climate coherence, accelerate the energy transition, and generate locally-tailored solutions for a common purpose: creating an inclusive, just, low-emission, and climate-resilient future for all.
Co-chaired by former New York City Mayor and UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Climate Ambition and Solutions, Michael R. Bloomberg, and Executive Vice President for the European Green Deal Maroš Šefčovič, and with the support of global and regional city networks, the Global Covenant of Mayors represents the strongest and clearest signal to national governments that cities are not only acting to stop the effects of climate change, they are leading and leading together. Mayors from across all global regions serve on the Board, and represent city networks, Regional Covenants and bring locally specific perspectives – ensuring that the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy is truly led by mayors.
Diversity Statement
C40 is committed to supporting and promoting equity and diversity and creating an inclusive working environment for everyone. We believe that when people with different life experiences are involved in decision-making, we deliver better.
We believe having a diverse workforce ensures we connect better with all the different communities and people affected by the climate crisis. This enables us to make better decisions which lead to better outcomes in the work we do through increased creativity, productivity, greater global impact alongside a broader perspective and approach to our work.
We welcome applicants that are diverse in terms of age, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, ethnicity and perspective. Our goal is for C40 to be an environment where everyone, from any background, can flourish and can be themselves whilst contributing to our mission. If you identify as a person with a disability, we work to provide reasonable appropriate measures and any additional support needed to provide an equitable working experience. If you are living with a disability, chronic illness or neurodiversity please inform us, to provide you with the proper assistance in the application process.
C40 promotes a work culture where staff can input to improve equity, diversity and inclusion through staff-led groups and formal forums. We know that creating our ideal working environment is a learning process and we are committed to the ongoing effort.
Department Description
The Governance & Executive Engagement (GEE) team ensures that direction from the organisation’s leadership is operationalised effectively, working closely with C40’s Executive Director, Management Team, Steering Committee, Board, and key strategic partners. The newly expanded Priority Initiatives & Events (PIE) function sits within GEE and plays a critical cross-organisational role at the centre of C40 and GCoM’s most mission-critical work.
Position Description:
The Manager plays an integral role within the Priority Initiatives & Events (PIE) function, contributing to both governance for priority initiatives and the delivery of milestone events across C40 and GCoM. Working closely with Senior Managers and the Director, the Manager helps coordinate complex workstreams, maintain planning systems, and support cross-team collaboration to ensure smooth, consistent execution.
This is a highly collaborative role that requires strong organisation, clear communication, and the ability to bring steadiness and structure during fast-paced and high-pressure planning cycles.
Key responsibilities
Priority Initiatives & Governance
- Support the development and maintenance of project governance tools, trackers, timelines, and documentation.
- Manage day-to-day coordination of priority initiative workstreams, including meeting logistics, task tracking, and follow-up actions.
- Prepare or contribute to briefing materials, decision logs, risk updates, and other governance documentation.
- Liaise with cross-functional colleagues (diplomacy, comms, regional teams, fundraising, policy) to support alignment of plans and deliverables.
- Ensure documents, templates, and updates are saved and organised in relevant systems (Vault, trackers, shared drives).
Milestone Event Delivery
- Support planning and coordination for milestone events such as WMS, LCAW, U20, COP-related events, regional convenings, and leadership moments.
- Develop operational documents including schedules, deliverables trackers, staffing plans, and run-of-show support materials.
- Coordinate with host cities, vendors, production partners, and internal stakeholders to support event delivery.
- Support logistics across venue operations, accreditation, hospitality, interpretation, security, and VIP flow.
- Assist with budget tracking and reconciliation for assigned areas in collaboration with the full team.
- Provide onsite support and real-time problem-solving during events.
- Contribute to lessons learned and post-event documentation.
Cross-Organisational Collaboration
- Facilitate coordination across multiple teams and external partners to ensure priorities move forward on time.
- Maintain clear, proactive communication with internal colleagues across regions and functions.
- Model collaborative, inclusive working practices and support staff wellbeing during intensive delivery periods.
Core Operational Ownership
In addition to the cross-functional responsibilities listed above, the Manager will lead one core operational competency for the PIE function. This ownership helps anchor the team’s long-term systems building and ensures consistency across priority initiatives and milestone events.
While the Manager is the primary lead for this competency, all PIE roles remain flexible and are expected to support each other’s areas during peak delivery periods or as organisational needs evolve.
Core Competency: Travel Systems & Vendor Liaison
- Managing travel workflows and processes for milestone events (staff, mayoral delegations, speaker travel as applicable).
- Owning SOPs for travel requests, approvals, and documentation.
- Maintaining travel trackers and coordinating with Senior Managers on travel-related timelines and needs.
- Serving as PIE’s primary point of contact with the travel agency and related vendors.
- Supporting contract management, service escalation, and process improvement discussions with vendors.
- Providing guidance and tools to staff and delegations during high-volume travel periods.
- Coordinating with Finance and Operations to ensure alignment on budgets, policies, and reporting.
Person Specification:
- 3–5+ years experience in event operations, project coordination, logistics, or cross-organisational support roles.
- Demonstrated experience managing complex workflows or operational processes.
- Strong organisational and multitasking skills; comfort working with timelines, trackers, and systems.
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills; able to work effectively with diverse teams and external partners.
- Ability to stay calm, clear, and solutions-oriented in fast-paced or high-pressure environments.
- Experience with travel coordination, event logistics, or vendor management is an asset.
- Commitment to equity, inclusion, and collaborative working practices.
Other Requirements:
Applicants must already have the right to work in the location they're applying for. Travel may be required as a part of the role.
We seek to recruit individuals who not only have the appropriate skills and experience for the role, but are committed to carrying out their roles in line with our organisational values.
Reporting To: Director of Priority Initiatives & Events, C40 and GCOM
Term: Indefinite
Location: Johannesburg, London, Rio de Janeiro & United States - Please note that if your right to work in one of the listed locations is not confirmed at the time of applying, C40 will be unable to proceed with your application.
Salary: (Grade 4) Johannesburg ZAR 736,496, London GBP £54,920, Rio de Janeiro (IC) USD 63,376 & United States USD 90,164 (gross per annum) gross per annum - Due to its commitment to maintain equity and fairness, C40 operates on a spot salary model. This means that our employees are paid the same salary according to their grade and location.
Application Process:
Interested applicants should submit a curriculum vitae and cover letter. The closing date for receipt of applications is Monday 12th January 2025 at 5pm GMT. C40 reserves the right to close this job opening before the closing date for applications so please do submit applications early.
To learn more about the work of C40 and our cities, please visit www.c40.org, follow us on Twitter @c40cities and like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/C40Cities.
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