Operations Manager, GCoM

Position title:  Operations Manager, GCoM    

Department: Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy (GCoM)

Reporting to: Head of Operations and Finance, GCoM

Location: Belgium, UK - Please note that if your right to work in one of the listed locations is not confirmed at the time of applying, C40 will be unable to proceed with your application. 

Salary: (Grade 4)Belgium EUR 73,382, UK GBP £54,920 (gross per annum)  - Due to its commitment to maintain equity and fairness, C40 operates on a spot salary model. This means that our employees are paid the same salary according to their grade and location. 

Term: Fixed term until 31st December 2028 (The appointment and the duration of the role are subject to the final approval of funding)

About The Global Covenant of Mayors For Climate & Energy
The Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy (GCoM or Global Covenant), is a global coalition of cities and local governments with a shared long-term vision of promoting and supporting voluntary action to combat climate change and move to a low-carbon, resilient society. The alliance unites and inspires its stakeholders to strengthen global climate coherence, accelerate the energy transition, and generate locally-tailored solutions for a common purpose: creating an inclusive, just, low-emission, and climate-resilient future for all.

Co-chaired by former New York City Mayor and UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Climate Ambition and Solutions, Michael R. Bloomberg, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for a Clean, Just and Competitive Transition, Teresa Ribera, and with the support of global and regional city networks, the Global Covenant of Mayors represents the strongest and clearest signal to national governments that cities are not only acting to stop the effects of climate change, they are leading and leading together. Mayors from across all global regions serve on the Board, and represent city networks, Regional Covenants and bring locally specific perspectives – ensuring that the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy is truly led by mayors.

Department Description:
The Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy (GCoM) is the world's largest alliance for city climate leadership with a shared long-term vision of promoting and supporting voluntary action to combat climate change and move to a low-carbon, resilient society, based on the following core principles: Local Governments are Key Contributors: The Global Covenant works to organize and mobilize cities and local governments to be active contributors to a global climate solution

City Networks as Critical Partners: Local, regional and global city networks are core partners, serving as the primary support for participating cities or regions A Robust Solution Agenda: Focusing on those sectors where cities have the greatest impact, the Global Covenant supports ambitious, locally relevant solutions, captured through strategic action plans that are registered, implemented and monitored and publicly available.

Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Fostering Local Climate Resilience: The Global Covenant emphasizes the importance of both climate change mitigation and adaptation as well as universal access to clean energy
A Locally Tailored and Globally Coherent Alliance: Driven by the efforts of cities, local governments, and regions, the Global Covenant of Mayors works to facilitate regional adaptation to meet local level needs and ambitions under one united, all-encompassing vision.

Position Description:
The Operations Manager will provide day-to-day management and direct oversight of GCoM's core operational needs. This includes managing the full lifecycle administration of grants and contracts, leading vendor/grantee relationship management, and proactively identifying process improvements. The Manager will provide operational insights and regular reporting to inform management decisions.

Responsibilities: 

• Manage the daily operational execution of GCoM's projects and initiatives, working across the team and ensuring all systems and information are maintained and up to date.
• Support the program's budget planning, monitoring, and financial processes in collaboration with the line manager and the C40 Finance team, ensuring accurate and timely tracking of expenditures, forecasts, and funder compliance.
• Develop and deliver essential training programs for staff and suppliers on C40 policies and GCoM operational procedures, ensuring consistent application.
• Manage the end-to-end administration of all grants and contracts, acting as the key operational point of contact for vendors/grantees throughout the contracting process.
• Contribute to operational long-term planning activities. Provide day-to-day oversight on Global Covenant of Mayors priority deliverables, ensuring milestones are met.
• Manage the logistical coordination and implementation for Global Covenant of Mayors engagements – virtual, in-person, and hybrid – managing logistical vendors and service providers.
• Proactively identify and propose areas for improvement in GCoM processes, and support the implementation of approved actions to increase efficiency.
• Draft and prepare memoranda, presentations, and data analysis on operational and programmatic performance for use by senior leadership.
  

Person Specification:

• A highly motivated manager capable of overseeing complex, multi-stakeholder projects and thriving in a strategic, dynamic work environment.
• Highly proficient in Excel-based data analysis and finance analysis.
• Ability to meet deadlines; accomplish work in order of priority; professionally maintain composure and effectiveness under pressure and changing conditions.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and optimize operational processes to ensure staff have the tools and support to succeed in their day-to-day work.
• An excellent team member who can effectively collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, using a variety of styles, and maintain confidentiality.
• Commitment and ability to work in a networked organization, with multiple stakeholders at different levels.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Shows enthusiasm for their work and a passion for tackling climate change.

Other Requirements:

Applicants must already have the right to work in the listed locations. Moderate travel will be required as part of the role. 

We seek to recruit individuals who not only have the appropriate skills and experience for the role, but are committed to carrying out their roles in line with our organisational values.

C40 offers a comprehensive benefits package to support employee well-being and work-life balance:

• Paid Time Off: Full-time employees receive 35 days of paid time off annually, which includes all national holidays.
• Company Shutdowns: In addition to the standard paid time off, C40 provides two non-contractual, non-statutory shutdown weeks each year (mid-year and end-of-year) for a full break.
• Parental Leave: All employees are eligible for up to 52 weeks of parenting leave. The first 16 weeks are paid at 100% of the employee's current salary. Weeks 17 through 52 are unpaid by C40, unless payment is required by national law.
• Flexible Working: C40 supports flexible working arrangements to enhance work-life balance, provided they align with business requirements.
• Time off in Lieu (TOIL): Employees can take TOIL to recover following periods of excessive hours or travel.
• Sick Leave: Entitlement to sick leave increases upon the successful completion of the employee's probation period.
• Employee Training: Training and development opportunities are available to all staff (excluding temporary staff and interns) after they have completed and passed their probation period.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP): Confidential services, such as counselling, are accessible for short-term support.
• Pension scheme: C40 offers a pension scheme to employees in eligible locations. Availability is determined by the country of employment.
• Private Health Insurance: This is provided in countries where publicly funded healthcare is not available. 

Application Process:

Closing date for applications is Monday, 16th February 2026 at 5pm UK Time. C40 reserves the right to close this job opening before the closing date for applications so please do submit applications early.

Background 

C40 is a network of nearly 100 mayors of the world's leading cities, who are working to deliver the urgent action needed right now to confront the climate crisis, and create a future where everyone, everywhere can thrive. Mayors of C40 cities are committed to using a science-based and people-focused approach to help the world limit global heating to 1.5°C and build healthy, equitable and resilient communities. Through a Global Green New Deal, mayors are working alongside a broad coalition of representatives from labour, business, the youth climate movement and civil society to go further and faster than ever before.

C40's team of 400+ staff is based in offices in London, in New York, Johannesburg, Singapore, Delhi, Rio de Janeiro, Copenhagen, Beijing and Paris, and individual staff based across 25+ different locations.

The strategic direction of the organisation is determined by an elected Steering Committee of C40 mayors, which is chaired by Mayor Sadiq Khan of London and Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr of Freetown. Three-term Mayor of New York City Michael R. Bloomberg serves as President of the C40 Board of Directors, responsible for operational oversight. A regionally diverse management team, led by Executive Director Mark Watts, leads the day-to-day management of C40. C40's two core strategic funders are Bloomberg Philanthropies and Realdania.

Our international staff work with the C40 network under the leadership of city governments to deliver this mission. Using a data-driven approach, our team identifies and promotes the exchange of proven programmes and policies developed by cities; provides world-class research, technical expertise and access to key partners to deliver new programmes and policies with cities; and communicates cities' individual achievements and collective leadership.

Diversity Statement

C40 is committed to supporting and promoting equity and diversity and creating an inclusive working environment for everyone. We believe that when people with different life experiences are involved in decision-making, we deliver better. 

We believe having a diverse workforce ensures we connect better with all the different communities and people affected by the climate crisis. This enables us to make better decisions which lead to better outcomes in the work we do through increased creativity, productivity, greater global impact alongside a broader perspective and approach to our work.

We welcome applicants that are diverse in terms of age, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, ethnicity and perspective. Our goal is for C40 to be an environment where everyone, from any background, can flourish and can be themselves whilst contributing to our mission. If you identify as a person with a disability, we work to provide reasonable appropriate measures and any additional support needed to provide an equitable working experience. If you are living with a disability, chronic illness or neurodiversity please inform us, to provide you with the proper assistance in the application process.

C40 promotes a work culture where staff can input to improve equity, diversity and inclusion through staff-led groups and formal forums. We know that creating our ideal working environment is a learning process and we are committed to the ongoing effort. For how C40 handles your personal information, please review our Privacy Notice – Recruitment.

To learn more about the work of C40 and our cities, please visit , follow us on Twitter @c40cities and like us on Facebook at 

For any queries about the role, please contact  Kindly note that this email address is for recruitment related queries only. We are unable to accept CVs and cover letters sent to this inbox. We can only accept and process applications that are submitted via our website.

C40 is an equal opportunities employer.