Founded in 2003, Gold Standard’s mission is to accelerate progress toward climate security and sustainable development for all by catalysing finance and maximising its impact. Its Standard allows projects, funds, and other impact investments to manage, measure and maximise their impact toward climate mitigation, adaptation, and across the Sustainable Development Goals.
After 20 years in operation, Gold Standard’s ambition continues to expand. To support this trajectory, the Organisation is recruiting for a Director of Partnerships to be based in the UK or Germany.
Reporting to the Chief Growth Officer, the successful candidate will play a pivotal role in shaping Gold Standard’s next phase of growth and innovation, while ensuring strong delivery and stakeholder alignment within Gold Standard’s existing network.
This role requires a visionary leader capable of identifying opportunities for collaboration, negotiating mutually beneficial agreements, and nurturing alliances with corporations, governments, carbon market participants, NGOs, and philanthropic organisations. The Director of Partnerships serves as a key external representative, and will be participating in high-stakes discussions and ensuring that all partnerships align with the organisation’s mission and long-term goals.
Role Overview
The Director of Partnerships is a senior leadership position within Gold Standard. This role has strategic oversight of three key functions:
- Head of Fundraising
- Head of Corporate Engagement
- Head of Market Development
Key Responsibilities of the role include
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Partnership with senior corporate leaders, sustainability executives, and industry influencers, including key NGOs and membership organisations and consultancies.
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Design of co-creation efforts for new product innovation.
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Guide development of a strategy to engage major corporations, aligning their climate ambitions with Gold Standard’s best practice recommendations and encouraging adoption of GS solutions
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Stakeholder engagement with carbon market participants including governments, multilateral organisations, retailers, exchanges and other intermediary organisations
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Oversee the development of the Gold Standard Multi-year fundraising strategy. Support and empower the Head of Resource Mobilisation with donor engagement, proposal development, and grant management operations to ensure alignment with Gold Standard’s priorities and operational capacity and the wider partnerships team.
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Work closely with the Strategy Director, Chief Growth Officer, and program leads to integrate partnership opportunities into broader organisational strategies.
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Develop and implement systems to track and evaluate the success of partnerships against predefined metrics, such as financial contributions, programmatic outcomes, and partner satisfaction.
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Represent the foundation at conferences, industry events, and high-profile meetings, showcasing its work and building its reputation as a leading organisation in its field.
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Contribute to the development of organisational policies and frameworks that enhance the foundation’s ability to engage with external partners effectively.
You will be able to leverage the following experience in this role
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Proven experience in partnerships, stakeholder engagement, or strategic business development within carbon markets, corporate sustainability, or related sectors.
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Strong familiarity with market-based climate mechanisms (carbon credits, emissions reductions, certification standards) is highly desirable.
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Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in complex, multi-stakeholder environments (e.g. MSI, public-private partnerships).
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Extensive network across corporate sustainability and/or carbon markets, including carbon markets participants and corporate sustainability teams.
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Experience leading a high performing team
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Experience engaging with global or national governments, particularly in the environmental or climate policy space is desirable.
Salary Range: £100,000 (UK based) / €120,000 (Germany based)
The role offers the opportunity to work at the forefront of climate impact, within a mission-driven and globally respected organisation. Please note that this is a remote position based in the UK or Germany, with occasional travel required for in-person meetings and key events. Only candidates with existing rights to work in the UK or Germany will be considered. If you are excited by the opportunity to lead strategic partnerships that drive meaningful climate outcomes, look no further. For any questions or to express interest, please reach out to Canace Wong at canace.wong@acre.com.
