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, Climate Risk and Response
QCF is now seeking a senior strategic leader who will be responsible for one of QCF’s fastest-growing portfolios, focused on reducing vulnerability to escalating climate impacts. The Climate Risk Response portfolio operates at the intersection of climate shocks, poverty, inequality, governance fragility and conflict, strengthening adaptation, preparedness and climate risk governance globally, with particular emphasis on the UK and Sub-Saharan Africa. Grounded in principles of locally led adaptation, the portfolio supports approaches that reinforce local agency and leadership, while connecting community knowledge with global science, data and policy to inform decision-making at scale.
A strategically significant element of the portfolio engages with solar radiation management (SRM) as a climate-risk governance issue. QCF does not advocate technological deployment; rather, it supports transparent, equitable and well-governed decision-making processes shaped by the priorities of climate-exposed countries and communities.
Reporting to a Managing Director, the Programme Director will define long-term vision and strategy, steward a multi-year, potentially nine-figure portfolio of predominantly grant capital with selective investment deployment, and identify high-impact opportunities across movements, policy, research and innovation. They will set clear portfolio boundaries, make evidence-informed funding decisions, ensure strong governance and risk management, and embed learning and feedback loops that integrate scientific evidence, practitioner insight and community-held knowledge. The Programme Director will lead a high-performing team, contribute to QCF’s wider catalytic capital agenda, collaborate across portfolios, and represent the Foundation externally with credibility, judgement and humility.
QCF seeks a senior leader with substantial experience at director level (or equivalent) in climate risk, adaptation and resilience. The successful candidate will bring strong knowledge of adaptation ecosystems in priority geographies, particularly Sub-Saharan Africa, and an understanding of how donors, multilaterals, governments, civil society and local actors interact within complex political contexts. They will demonstrate a track record of stewarding complex, multi-year portfolios, influencing senior stakeholders, and deploying capital in ways that shift power and amplify partner voice.
The role requires advanced systems thinking and the ability to translate the interaction of climate, conflict, economic and social systems into clear strategic choices. Candidates must be comfortable making decisions under uncertainty, balancing long-term ambition with delivery discipline, and engaging constructively with senior executives and boards on performance, risk and emerging issues — including contested areas of climate governance.
An accomplished people leader, the Programme Director will have experience building and managing high-performing teams, setting clear expectations and fostering accountability. They will demonstrate high relational intelligence, political judgement and resilience, with the confidence and skill to build and operate deep, trust-based relationships across stakeholders including government leaders, foundation peers, and civil society actors.
Above all, they will show a deep commitment to QCF’s mission and to a partner-led approach that reinforces local agency and models responsible, values-driven leadership. 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 8333.
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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