About Pathways: To deliver a high-ambitious policy, we need to tackle climate change, and we have to broaden and preserve political consensus on action. Pathways’ guiding vision is of a world where it is an unavoidable necessity for national leaders to implement climate solutions at the pace science requires rapidly. We operate as a behind-the-scenes intermediary, working with local experts to develop a common knowledge base and co-design strategy that leads to the launch of new initiatives that help create political conditions that favour action on climate change. “About this role: As we move from two dedicated co-founders into an organisation in receipt of scaling philanthropic funding, this position will be one of our first hires. It is a broad role focused on enabling the delivery of a unique global initiative and involves working closely with our Executive Director, Strategy Director and growing team as a key member of our Leadership Team.
Key roles and responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
- Work with the leadership team to co-coordinate the development and alignment of Pathways’ strategic priorities
- Work with other members of the leadership team to build our team and grow our organisational culture
- Shape Pathways’ direction by leading the development and implementation of our global operational and financial strategies, budget and business plans against timelines
- Work with Country Leads to design and oversee the strategic approach for operational frameworks and infrastructure required for efficient in-country operationalisation of Pathways’ Insights, Strategy and Piloting activities
- Build and optimise shared systems and processes for the efficient movement of funds, ensuring smooth financial transactions and appropriate resource allocation across projects and regions
- Support Executive Director and Strategy Director to deliver appropriate and effective governance across UK and international entities
Operational Management
- Evolve Pathways’ operating model, developing, managing and adapting systems and processes to ensure successful delivery of ongoing work streams and new initiatives
- Oversee the execution of operational structures in target countries (e.g. financial, legal and corporate), in collaboration with Country Leads
- Recruit and manage outsourced finance, bookkeeper accountants and auditors for budgeting, statutory accounting, audit, payroll, and tax – and evolve the Finance function as the organisation scales
- Oversee the fundraising lifecycle processes and donor management activities, including proposals, contracting, and grants due diligence
- Co-foster strong relationships with donors, in collaboration with our executive director
- Lead the provision of management for support services across the organisation, in collaboration with external partners as relevant
- Set and manage Pathways’ overall risk and compliance framework, in collaboration with our Executive Director
- Set and manage the recruitment strategy, in collaboration with our Executive Director
- Develop and implement policies and procedures to ensure efficient and compliant operations.
Experience and skills expected of the post-holder
- Proven experience in a senior operational role, preferably within a nonprofit or mission-driven organisation
- Excellent leadership and management skills, with the ability to lead cross-country teams
- Strong financial acumen and experience in financial strategy, planning, and management
- Experience in donor management and overseeing of support services
- Strong understanding of risk and compliance frameworks
- Strong understanding of recruitment, hiring and compensation strategy and processes
- High agility and excellent project management and communication skills
- Natural ability to get things done, with a positive and empathetic approach to leadership
- Attention to detail and ability to frame decisions effectively in rapidly changing environments
- Fluent in English. Fluency in Portuguese or Spanish is desired but not required