Executive & Program Director - Climate Action Foundation

Executive & Program Director - Climate Action Foundation Ltd.

Location: Greenhouse at Salesforce Tower, Sydney, NSW (Hybrid available)

Engagement: Full-Time | 12-Month Contract (with view to extend to permanent)

Deadline: Applications Close: 12 September 2025

About the Climate Action Foundation

The Climate Action Foundation Limited (CAF) is Greenhouse's purpose-driven non-profit, dedicated to accelerating credible and scalable climate action. Through its flagship initiative, Climate Action Week Sydney (CAW.SYD), CAF convenes industry, government, academia, and civil society to drive solutions-focused collaboration, build climate capability, and elevate bold climate leadership.

In 2025, CAW.SYD hosted 246 events across Greater Sydney, reaching 12,500+ participants and generating significant momentum for real life climate action. Please visit for more information about CAW.SYD.

As Australia looks toward hosting COP31, CAF plays a critical role in building national momentum and facilitating partnerships that catalyse meaningful decarbonisation across key sectors. Our mission is to empower communities and organisations to take action through education, ecosystem development, and systemic change.

We are now scaling up for our most ambitious program yet—CAW.SYD 2026—and seeking an exceptional leader to help guide us there.

The opportunity

CAF is seeking a full-time Executive & Program Director to lead the planning, delivery, and growth of our Climate Action Initiatives, including CAW.SYD and beyond. This role blends strategic leadership with hands-on delivery and stakeholder engagement, requiring a dynamic, driven, and collaborative individual.

You will work directly with the Board, partners, stakeholders, funders, volunteers, and the broader climate ecosystem to coordinate programs, secure funding, develop partnerships, and implement the Foundation's long-term strategy.

Key responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end planning and delivery of Climate Action Week Sydney and associated programs and initiatives.
• Support the Board in the development and execution of the Foundation's multi-year strategy in the lead-up to COP31.
• Develop and manage relationships with a wide range of stakeholders including government, industry, funders, community organisations, and First Nations groups.
• Manage grant applications, reporting, and compliance activities across all programs.
• Build and maintain effective operational and delivery frameworks, including financial and risk oversight for the Foundation.
• Lead partnership development and philanthropic fundraising to diversify income and ensure program sustainability.
• Oversee program development, logistics, reporting, and delivery across events, bootcamps, trade missions, and ecosystem initiatives.
• Supervise team members and volunteers, fostering a high-performance, values-driven culture.

About you

You are a mission-driven, strategic leader with a deep commitment to climate action and systems change. You're equally comfortable engaging with ministers or running a project plan. You believe in the power of collaboration and community and want to play a central role in building one of Australia's leading climate initiatives.

You bring:

• Proven experience in executive leadership, program management, or operations roles in a mission-driven or innovation-focused environment.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement and communication skills, with experience engaging government, funders, and partners.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to manage complex projects and translate vision into action.
• Demonstrated experience in grant management, fundraising, or philanthropic engagement.
• Knowledge of climate action, sustainability policy, or innovation ecosystems preferred.
• High-level financial, governance, and risk management capabilities.
• Strong commitment to inclusion, cultural safety, and co-design approaches with First Nations communities.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to diversify income without compromising impact.
• Politically astute, with strong advocacy and public engagement capabilities.
• Experience in team development and fostering a performance-driven, inclusive culture.

Why join us?

This is a unique opportunity to lead one of Australia's most exciting climate action and impact platforms at a critical moment in our national and global climate journey. You'll work alongside passionate changemakers to shape the future of CAW.SYD, contribute to international climate leadership, and scale CAF's impact in the lead-up to COP31.

How to Apply

Please submit your CV and a cover letter outlining your suitability for the role and your motivation for joining CAF to .foundation.