Boosting finance for ambitious climate action
The Coalition to Grow Carbon Markets is a bold intergovernmental initiative at the heart of global climate action, whose goal is to unlock corporate demand for high-integrity carbon credits. Independently co-chaired by the UK, Kenya, and Singapore governments, with eleven members and a Secretariat hosted by the Voluntary Carbon Markets Initiative, the Coalition is backed by influential strategic partners including the World Bank, GFANZ, WBCSD, ICC, IETA and ICVCM, to bring the right balance of ambition, pragmatism, and rigour to international carbon credit markets. Following its launch at London Climate Action Week in June 2025, and with an expanding membership, this is a time for real momentum – and real impact.
We are seeking an exceptional Head of Secretariat to build and lead this initiative from the ground up. This is a rare opportunity to sit at the centre of international climate diplomacy, shaping how governments, businesses, and financial institutions come together to grow carbon markets with integrity and ambition. You will lead a lean, high-performing Secretariat, coordinate a growing coalition of governments, and steward delivery across multiple workstreams and global moments - from high-level ministerial engagement and flagship announcements at UNFCCC COPs to high impact roundtables and working sessions. Operating with trust, discretion, and credibility, you will make complex collaboration look effortless and ensure the Coalition consistently delivers against its commitments.
The ideal candidate brings a dual leadership profile: relentlessly organised and delivery-driven, yet credible and compelling at the highest diplomatic levels. You will bring a track record of working with governments, fluency in international policy spaces (across OECD and Global South governments) understanding how decisions are made, and how to unlock momentum from inside the system. You will bring proven experience managing complex stakeholder dynamics across cultures, time zones and institutions, and know how to make ambitious collaboration actually work. Above all, you will bring a low-ego, high-impact mindset - comfortable operating behind the scenes, serving the Coalition while sitting within VCMI, and measuring success by collective progress rather than personal visibility.
Candidates do not need to be technical carbon markets experts, but understanding international climate diplomacy and carbon-literacy will be important, as well as a confidence in navigating the space and drawing on the deep expertise of VCMI. If you’re excited by the challenge of scaling carbon markets at this pivotal moment - and motivated by impact over profile - we would love to hear from you.
To apply, please submit a CV and covering letter, detailing how you fulfil the role description and personal specification to https://plusportal.perrettlaver.com/ quoting reference 8308. The deadline for applications is Monday 2nd March 2026 09.00GMT.
The role is based in London, though with flexibility for the ideal profile. For further information on the salary and package, please contact Perrett Laver.
Perrett Laver will conduct an executive search process in parallel with the public advertisement of the role. Longlisted candidates will be invited to interview with Perrett Laver in Early March 2026, and the Selection Panel will subsequently meet to decide upon a final shortlist for the post in Mid-March 2026, following which, interviews with VCMI – Coalition to Grow Carbon Markets will take place Late March 2026.
If you require any reasonable adjustments to assist you in the selection process, please advise us of these so that we can make appropriate arrangements.
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