Executive Director, Alinnea, Sustainability Office

Overview

Are you interested in joining a dynamic and international team of professionals to transform education? IE is looking for an Executive Director, Alinnea to join its team!

We are looking for an Executive Director for Alinnea, a Climate Change Think and Action Tank supported by the European Climate Foundation and hosted at IE University. The ideal candidate combines deep technical expertise in climate policy and science with strategic insight into how climate change is reshaping competitiveness, innovation, and industry.

This role requires a systems thinker capable of translating complexity into action, guiding high-impact research, and forging multi-stakeholder coalitions that align climate ambition with industrial transformation.

Alinnea www.alinnea.org aims to accelerate climate action in Spain and globally through facilitation and dialogue between different actors. Its work focus on the sustainability of cities, green reindustrialization (renewable energies, electrification of mobility, circular economy and others) and on the sustainability of the food system, in relation to climate action.

Why IE University?With 50 years of experience and founded by and for entrepreneurs, IE University has turned business education on its head through disruptive teaching. We count on high-level faculty who bring real-world experience into the classroom and foster a hands-on approach to learning.Our PurposeAt IE University, we foster positive change through education, research, and innovation.As a transformative educational institution, we empower students to make their mark on the world. We provide them with the skills, knowledge, and environment needed to make a difference, and they join a supportive and international community that lasts a lifetime.Our spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship has allowed us to drive change and constantly stay at the cutting edge of higher education. And through diversity, we have harnessed the power of people while also understanding and embracing the importance of humanities.Our PeopleAt IE we are

• People-driven
• Change Builders
• Autonomy Enthusiasts
• Communication Enthusiasts
• Knowledge Champions

We are looking for a person to join a full-time position in Madrid - IE Tower.

Responsibilities

Your role as an Executive Director, Alinnea will involve:

1. Insight & Thought Leadership

• Translate technical and regulatory developments into actionable insights and forward-looking proposals.
• Drive an applied research agenda that connects climate challenges to sector-specific realities, particularly in the Spanish and European context.
• Write and review reports, position papers, and policy briefs that inform and influence decision-makers.

2. Convening & Stakeholder Engagement

• Support in the creation of trusted spaces for dialogue among corporates, financial institutions, policymakers (across Spain’s three administrative levels), academia, NGOs, and labor organizations.
• Identify emerging tensions and areas of alignment among stakeholder groups, fostering shared understanding and collaborative problem-solving.
• Represent Alinnea in national and international fora as a credible and respected voice on climate-industrial strategy.

3. Policy & Regulatory Intelligence

• Monitor and analyze climate-related policy developments at EU, national, and subnational levels.
• Advise on the interplay between regulatory measures, industrial competitiveness, and citizen engagement in the green transition.
• Guide scenario-based exploration of Europe’s regulatory strategy in light of the Green Deal, PAC, Clean Industril deal, CBAM, and related frameworks.

4. Partnerships & Alliances

• Cultivate a dynamic network of public and private actors to co-create knowledge, surface blind spots, and pilot innovative solutions.
• Forge alliances with national and international think tanks, research centers, and climate-finance institutions.
• Identify joint research and funding opportunities to expand Alinnea’s influence and impact.

5. Operational Excellence

• Oversee the coordination of working groups and research clusters involving over 70 engaged stakeholders.
• Support fundraising efforts, reporting to funders, and compliance with institutional governance.
• Ensure the quality, relevance, and timeliness of all Alinnea outputs and activities.

Qualifications

To thrive in this role, you should have:

EXPERIENCE & EXPERTISE

• Recognized expertise in one or more fields linked to climate change, industrial policy, competitiveness, or sustainability (e.g., economics, law, regulation, finance, innovation).
• Demonstrated track record of leading multi-stakeholder processes, working groups, or coalitions.
• Proven experience in managing research initiatives and producing high-quality written outputs that influence policy or strategy.
• Strong understanding of Spain’s political-regulatory landscape across the three levels of government and how this intersects with EU policymaking.

SOFT SKILLS & TRAITS

• Systems thinker with a pragmatic, bridge-building mindset.
• Excellent communicator capable of making complexity accessible to varied audiences.
• Politically astute but non-partisan—able to navigate diverse perspectives and maintain neutrality.
• Trusted by peers across sectors; known for integrity, empathy, and intellectual rigor.
• Comfortable in academic, policy, and corporate settings alike.
• Languages: Fluent English and Spanish required
• EU Work Permit Mandatory

PREFERRED BACKGROUND

• Master’s degree in Environmental Sciences, Environmental Engineering, Ecology, Natural Resources, Economics, International Relations or in Sustainability related areas.
• Minimum of 7-10 years of professional experience with a similar leadership role.
• Prior experience in a Spanish or European think tank, regulatory body, industry association, or international organization.
• Familiarity with industrial decarbonization, green finance, or socio-economic dimensions of the transition.
• Connections across research centers, corporate sustainability teams, and public institutions.
• Experience working with or within multilateral or EU-funded projects is a plus.

It’s time to bring your best and make your mark. Now the choice is yours!  

If you want to be part of this educational revolution, we invite you to apply and be part of our amazing team at IE University.