Our Guiding Star: Building Resilience
QCF was established in 2019 by the founders of Quadrature Capital, Greg Skinner and Suneil Setiya, out of a recognition of the persistent poverty, inequality, and human suffering that shape our societies. Our founders were already active philanthropists in these areas, and came to understand how climate would compound them, driving food insecurity, deepening displacement, and pushing the most vulnerable into crisis. This realisation led them to establish QCF with a focus on climate as the defining challenge of our time.
In 2025, the founders and QCF decided to bring the Foundation's climate funding together with other private philanthropic funding streams across poverty, inequality and human suffering under an expanded Foundation remit. QCF’s updated mandate is based on our core belief: that acute human suffering now, and cascading climate risks ahead, are interconnected crises that threaten the stability of societies everywhere. This demands action both downstream, to address poverty and inequality and help people secure their lives and dignity today; and upstream, to build the conditions that make lasting climate and societal transformation possible and durable for tomorrow.
Within this expanded direction, QCF is seeking five Programme Directors across the following portfolios:
Job Description – Programme Director, Just Energy and Industrial Transition
QCF is now seeking a senior strategic leader who will be responsible for shaping and stewarding one of QCF’s most significant systems-change portfolios. Energy and industrial systems sit at the centre of climate risk and resilience, and this portfolio aims to accelerate the transition to low-carbon models in ways that are equitable, politically durable, and grounded in the realities of affected countries and communities. It prioritises expanding access to affordable clean energy, enabling inclusive industrial development, and strengthening the governance of key transition inputs to avoid extractive or exclusionary pathways.
Reporting to a Managing Director, the Programme Director will lead a multi-year, nine-figure portfolio, predominantly grant-making with selective deployment of investment capital. They will define and evolve portfolio strategy, steward long-term partnerships, oversee experimentation and learning, and make disciplined decisions about priorities and resource allocation.
The role requires close collaboration with place-based teams in the UK, Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa, alignment with QCF’s catalytic capital approach, and active contribution to investment assessment and decision-making. The Programme Director will lead a high-performing team, ensure strong governance and risk management, engage confidently with senior stakeholders and boards, and represent QCF externally with credibility and judgement.
QCF seeks a senior leader with substantial experience in energy systems transition and/or industrial decarbonisation at director level or equivalent. The successful candidate will bring demonstrable expertise across policy, regulation, capital deployment and industry dynamics, alongside strong networks spanning government, civil society, markets and multilateral institutions. They will show clear evidence of designing and managing complex, multi-year portfolios, balancing long-term strategic ambition with delivery discipline and adaptive learning.
The role requires sophisticated systems thinking, strong political and commercial judgement, and a nuanced understanding of power, equity and distributional impacts within transition pathways. The Programme Director will be a confident people leader, experienced in developing high-performing teams, setting clear expectations and managing performance. They will demonstrate high relational intelligence, humility in partnership, and the ability to influence credibly in complex stakeholder environments. Comfort with ambiguity, sound decision-making under uncertainty, and the confidence to engage and challenge constructively at senior and board level are essential.
Above all, the successful candidate will demonstrate a deep commitment to QCF’s mission and to a partner-led approach that positions the Foundation as an enabler of systemic change rather than its driver. If you're passionate about advancing systemic change and building a just and resilient world, we would be delighted to hear from you.
To apply, please submit a CV and covering letter detailing the specific Programme Director role you are applying for here: https://PLusPortal.PerrettLaver.com quoting reference number 8337.
The deadline for the receipt of applications is 11:59pm GMT on Friday 13th March 2026.
The role will be based in QCF’s London office, on a hybrid working arrangement, with some expected travel when required.
Perrett Laver will conduct an executive search process. Longlisted candidates will be invited to interview with Perrett Laver in March-April and a final shortlist for the post will be identified in mid-April 2026. QCF’s interviews with the shortlisted candidates will take place thereafter.
Guided by its core values of collaboration, humility, bravery, objectivity, and drive, QCF strives to make a global impact while maintaining a workplace where every voice is valued. QCF is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic.
To confidentially get in touch about this role, or for advice on your application please email, Ryann Schutt ryann.schutt@perrettlaver.com.
Should you require access to these documents in alternative formats or require any reasonable adjustments to assist you in the selection process, please contact Kelly Harding kelly.harding@perrettlaver.com.
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