Director, China

Job Purpose and Background

Are you an inspiring leader looking for the next step in your career? Do you enjoy building relationships and teams to drive environmental change? Would you like to work for an ethical employer and be part of a pioneering global organization in the environmental sector?

CDP has an exciting opportunity for a talented individual to lead, manage and develop our work in China. As CDP’s China Director, you will have full responsibility for managing the development and continued growth of our impact in China. Working closely with other regional leaders and the Managing Director of Asia Pacific, you will lead the China team and head up all our work in country, including running a legal entity with oversight of both its business operations and administration.

You will bring your reputation as an expert and a business leader in climate change and the environment and be responsible for growing impact and income in the region. You will lead the team in China, with a focus on people development and promoting CDPs values within the team and externally. As the Director for the China office you will be an integral part of our Asia Pacific team and the broader global leadership team

Key responsibilities include:

• Develops and leverages strategic relationships with key partners at senior levels across all stakeholders; policymakers, capital markets, corporates, cities and NGOs.
• Leads and develops CDP’s profile within the local sustainability ecosystem; acting as CDP’s representative at external events, delivering speeches and participating in panel discussions.
• Lead media spokesperson with media and communications firms to enhance and expand CDP’s brand and reputation with existing and new audiences in China.
• Ensures CDP China plays its role in the CDP global system, providing advice on the regional context and input into the global organisational strategy. •
• Develops CDP China strategy and operational plan, in line with the global organisational strategy, that builds on its work at the cutting edge of emerging policies and other pertinent developments.
• Leads fundraising and high-level outreach efforts to meet China office budget targets in support of and integration with global budget targets. •
• Works closely with other country and regional offices to develop regional strategies and share best practice.
• Fiduciary responsibility for CDP’s operations in China. • Leads, manages and develops the China team and office.
• Accountable for performance and development of six members of staff working across corporates, communications, capital markets, policy, forests, finance and HR. The precise description and nature of your role may be varied from time to time and you may be required to carry out other duties as necessary.

Required skills and experience:

• Proven experience and knowledge of managing or running a Chinese entity; including an understanding of legal requirements.
• Significant demonstrable experience of leading a varied and high performing team; including experience of growing a team, developing people and promoting collaboration.
• Experience of working in government, NGOs and commercial organisations is desirable and experience of one is essential.
• Proven track record of developing strong strategic client/stakeholder relationships with commercial, NGO and government organisations. • Previous experience of business development, either with a commercial entity or NGO.
• Proven track record of creating and implementing strategies to deliver on business and/or impact targets.
• Background in and knowledge of local business, policy and sustainability culture, with a known reputation in this sector.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Extensive experience in overseeing and developing budgets and operational plans.
• Experience of working in a global organisation.
• Relevant degree qualification or equivalent experience.
• Fluent in Mandarin and English.

Benefits: Competitive NGO salary, 25 day’s holidays (+ public holidays), training and development opportunities and many more.

Interested applicants must be eligible to work legally in China. This is a 5-year contract role based at CDP’s China office in Beijing, with an opportunity to renew at the end of the term.

Before you apply

We’ll only use the information you provide to process your application. For more details on how we use your information, see our applicants privacy notice. By emailing us your CV and covering letter, you are permitting CDP to use the information you have provided for recruitment purposes.

How to apply:

Please email your CV and a covering letter (in English) setting out how you meet the required skills and experience or key responsibilities, which should be no more than two pages, to [email protected] with ‘Director, China’ in the subject. Deadline for applications is 17:30 (China time) on Friday 6 August 2021.