Director, Private Sector Engagement

Reports to: Executive Director, Europe

Location: Brussels (hybrid) or London remote.

Contract: Full time, fixed term (two years)

Travel: 20% or more, including outside Europe

About EDF Europe

By leveraging our deep expertise in science and economics, Environmental Defense Fund delivers bold, game-changing solutions to address the biggest challenge of our time — climate change. Teams work to stabilize the climate, strengthen the ability of people and nature to thrive and support people's health. From slashing pollution from transportation around the world, to slowing the warming we're experiencing now by cutting methane pollution, to bolstering nature's own capacity to stabilize the climate. Environmental Defense Fund partners with other organizations — as well as with businesses, governments and communities — to get the world on a rapid path to climate stability.

Overview

Environmental Defense Fund Europe is looking for a Director, Private Sector Engagement to lead our work with companies across Europe. This is an opportunity to help turn climate ambition into practical action and measurable results. Working across business, finance, and policy, you will help companies cut emissions, tackle super pollutants, and show how environmental leadership can strengthen competitiveness.

You will draw on EDF’s science, policy expertise, and company business relationships to spot opportunities, bring the right partners together, and support solutions that can grow beyond EDF Europe’s direct role.

Your work will focus on sectors that are central to EDF Europe’s strategy, especially Agriculture and Food, Energy and Methane, and Transport, including Shipping and Aviation. We may also explore other sectors where there is strong potential for impact, a clear role for EDF Europe, and funding to support the work. You will report to the Executive Director, Europe.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead EDF Europe’s corporate engagement strategy across Europe, setting priorities, shaping the approach, and working with teams across EDF to deliver results.
• Build trusted relationships with senior leaders in key companies and help them act, invest, and show that climate leadership can improve business performance.
• Bring partners and finance together to support the transition and help promising solutions reach scale.
• Help inform companies to implement key legislation, such as the EU Methane Regulation, to spur them to turn compliance into practical business value.
• Work with the Development team to support fundraising with European private donors, including proposals and donor updates.
• Manage a small Brussels-based team and collaborate closely with colleagues in policy, business, science, economics, and communications.
• Represent EDF Europe externally and develop clear, credible thought leadership grounded in EDF’s science and expertise.
• Participate in advancing EDF’s organizational effectiveness and culture goals, in which people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected, included, and empowered to address the environmental and organizational challenges aligned with EDF organizational values.
• Manage the programme budget and workplan.
• Brief companies on current and future legislation, such as the EU Methane Regulation, and play a key role in turning compliance into practical business value.
• Support clear reporting to donors, EDF Europe leadership, and the Board.

Skills & Qualifications

• Strong corporate experience.
• At least 10 years of experience, mainly in business and ideally across more than one sector. Ideally from supply chain, operations, strategy, transformation, or proramme management, preferably with innovation or venture experience or in a leading strategy consulting firm.Direct experience working inside companies will be important, along with line management experience.
• A track record on climate and business. You have helped scale climate-related investments or innovations and can make a clear business case for climate action.
• Able to move companies to act. You know how to use incentives, change management, finance, and partnerships to drive action. Strong project and stakeholder management skills. A good understanding of partnerships, NGOs, investment incentives, and blended finance.
• Senior relationships. You have strong relationships with senior leaders in one or more priority sectors, such as Agriculture, Energy, Finance, Aviation, or Shipping.
• Knowledge of EU policy. You understand climate and industrial policy, standards, and compliance requirements that affect business. Understanding of similar UK policies a plus.
• A practical builder. You have launched new programmes in complex organisations, are comfortable working through uncertainty, and bring a strong bias for action.
• A strong communicator.
• You can influence senior corporate and investor audiences with clarity and credibility. Fluent English; other European language would be an advantage.
• An inclusive co-worker. You have demonstrated self-awareness, cultural competency and inclusivity, and the ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across all cultures and backgrounds.

Eligibility

The position is a 2-year fixed term contract based in London (remote) or Brussels (hybrid). You must be eligible to live and work in the UK or Europe when applying, and be willing to travel regularly to Brussels if based in the UK.

Application Deadline

Please submit your CV and cover letter (max. 1 page) by September 11, 2026. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Early applications are strongly encouraged.

Compensation

• United Kingdom 90,000 - 100,000 GBP annual
• Belgium: 110,000 - 125,000 EUR annual