Senior Director, Complex Systems

Who We Are  

Clean Air Task Force (CATF) is a global nonprofit organization working to safeguard against the worst impacts of climate change by catalyzing the rapid development and deployment of low-carbon energy and other climate-protecting technologies. With 30 years of internationally recognized expertise on climate policy and a fierce commitment to exploring all potential solutions, CATF is a pragmatic, non-ideological advocacy group with the bold ideas needed to address climate change. CATF has offices in Boston, Washington D.C., and Brussels, with staff working virtually around the world. 

What You'll Do  

Program Context  

CATF's Complex Systems portfolio brings together its work across Land, Transportation, and Industry, three programs with distinct missions that are central to addressing major sources of climate pollution. These sectors are difficult to decarbonize and shaped by connected policy, technology, finance, infrastructure, and market challenges. This role exists to set a cohesive portfolio strategy while preserving and strengthening each program's mission, leadership, and subject-matter expertise. Reporting to the Chief of Programs & Advocacy and serving on CATF's Impact Leaders Group, the Senior Director will help direct resources, strengthen program effectiveness, and expand CATF's influence across regions. The role's overall purpose is to translate systems-level strategy into stronger stewardship, greater program impact, and durable climate solutions across Land, Transportation, and Industry. 

Responsibilities  

• Enterprise & Portfolio Leadership – Shape enterprise priorities and lead the Complex Systems portfolio with clear direction, sound judgment, and accountability, while ensuring the individual missions of Land, Transportation, and Industry remain central to portfolio decisions. 

• Systems Strategy – Develop and advance a cohesive strategy that connects technical expertise, policy, infrastructure, finance, innovation, and markets while identifying opportunities for greater impact across programs, portfolios, disciplines, and regions. 

• Program Effectiveness – Strengthen impact, stewardship, and people leadership across the portfolio by supporting program leaders, clarifying outcomes, monitoring progress, building leadership and technical capacity, and helping teams navigate trade-offs and barriers to their missions. 

• Policy & Advocacy Leadership – Guide globally relevant policy and advocacy priorities grounded in technical, economic, political, and market realities, partnering with regional advocacy teams to adapt strategies to local contexts and influence policy outcomes. 

• Resource Stewardship & Operational Excellence – Direct portfolio planning, budgeting, prioritization, and shared investments so resources are aligned with the highest-impact opportunities and teams have the structure, information, and support needed to deliver. 

• Cross-Functional Collaboration – Build alignment across programs, solution portfolios, regions, and organizational functions while respecting program ownership and subject-matter expertise and creating practical ways to collaborate. 

• External Influence & Thought Leadership – Serve as a senior external representative, shape a clear narrative for systems-level climate solutions, guide policy positions and thought leadership, and build trusted relationships across government, industry, finance, academia, media, philanthropy, and civil society. 

• Fundraising & Partnership Development – Partner with Development, Communications, and senior leadership to set fundraising strategy, cultivate and steward funder relationships, pursue aligned opportunities, and secure resources that advance portfolio and program priorities. 

What You'll Bring 

You will succeed in this role by pairing systems-level thinking with respect for the distinct missions and expertise of each program. You bring clear judgment, collaborative leadership, and the ability to turn ambitious strategy into focused priorities, accountable execution, and measurable impact in a complex global organization. 

Required Experience  

• 15+ years of progressively responsible experience in climate, energy, environmental, or related policy fields, including senior leadership responsibility for complex programs, portfolios, departments, or multidisciplinary teams. 

• A demonstrated record of shaping strategy and influencing policy outcomes in complex climate, energy, environmental, government, industry, advocacy, research, or related settings. 

• Experience leading senior leaders and strengthening leadership capacity, team effectiveness, accountability, and succession readiness. 

• Deep understanding of systems-level climate challenges and the barriers to transforming land, transportation, and industrial systems. 

• Experience building and executing strategies that connect technical, policy, financial, market, organizational, and regional considerations. 

• Ability to lead across functions, disciplines, and geographies in a matrixed organization while respecting program missions and subject-matter expertise. 

• Experience representing an organization and building trusted relationships with senior external stakeholders, such as policymakers, funders, industry leaders, and strategic partners. 

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience in a field relevant to the role. 

Preferred Experience  

• Experience with fundraising, donor engagement, or philanthropic partnerships. 

• Experience working across the U.S., Europe, and other regional contexts in a global or cross-regional organization. 

• Familiarity with one or more relevant areas, including hard-to-abate sectors, land systems, transportation, industrial decarbonization, carbon management, fuels, or related climate solutions. 

• Experience contributing to organizational strategy, portfolio design, or operating model change. 

• Familiarity with nonprofit, policy, advocacy, technical, research, philanthropic, or mission-driven environments. 

What We Provide  

This is an opportunity to shape a portfolio addressing some of the hardest climate challenges while helping three mission-critical programs achieve greater impact. 

• A mission-driven role supporting practical, durable climate solutions across Land, Transportation, and Industry. 

• Exposure to cross-functional collaboration with program, regional advocacy, Development, Communications, and senior leadership teams, as well as external partners and funders. 

• A collaborative and intellectually curious culture where diverse perspectives are valued and bold, practical solutions to climate change are encouraged. 

• A flexible, remote working environment within the U.S. or Europe. 

• An excellent benefits package and a competitive salary based on experience and location. 

• Benefits aligned to your country of employment. 

• Candidates must be authorized to work in their country of employment. 

Compensation and Pay Transparency  

CATF uses country-specific salary ranges informed by market data. The expected annual base salary range for this Senior Director role is listed below based on the employee's country of residence: 

• United States: $184,000 - $220,000 annually 

The final base salary will be determined using objective, gender-neutral criteria, including relevant experience, qualifications, skills, and the scope and responsibilities of the role. Benefits and any statutory or collectively bargained entitlements will be provided according to the employee's country of employment and the terms applicable to the employing entity. CATF does not consider salary history when determining compensation. 

For candidates in other European countries, CATF will share the applicable local salary range before the first interview. Employment may be arranged through an employer of record, and country-specific terms, benefits, and any applicable collective bargaining agreement will be confirmed before an offer is made. 

Ready to Apply?  

If you've made it this far, you should go ahead and apply. 

You don't need to meet every requirement to be a strong candidate. If this role aligns with how you like to work and the kind of impact you want to have, we encourage you to submit your application. 

Equal Opportunity Statement  

Clean Air Task Force is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and respectful workplace. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or family status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.