People Manager, Special Projects (Maternity cover)

Position title: People Manager, Special Projects (Maternity cover)

Department: Corporate Services

Reporting to: Head of Organisational Development

Location: South Africa, UK & US - Please note that if your right to work in one of the listed locations is not confirmed at the time of applying, C40 will be unable to proceed with your application.

Salary:(Grade 4) South Africa ZAR 736,496, UK GBP 54,920 & US USD 90,164 gross per annum - Due to its commitment to maintain equity and fairness, C40 operates on a spot salary model. This means that our employees are paid the same salary according to their grade and location.

Term: Fixed term from April 2026 to February 2027

Background

C40 is a network of nearly 100 mayors of the world’s leading cities, who are working to deliver the urgent action needed right now to confront the climate crisis, and create a future where everyone, everywhere can thrive. Mayors of C40 cities are committed to using a science-based and people-focused approach to help the world limit global heating to 1.5°C and build healthy, equitable and resilient communities. Through a Global Green New Deal, mayors are working alongside a broad coalition of representatives from labour, business, the youth climate movement and civil society to go further and faster than ever before.

C40’s team of 400+ staff is based in offices in London, in New York, Johannesburg, Singapore, Delhi, Rio de Janeiro, Copenhagen, Beijing and Paris, and individual staff based across 25+ different locations.

The strategic direction of the organisation is determined by an elected Steering Committee of C40 mayors, which is chaired by Mayor Sadiq Khan of London and Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr of Freetown. Three-term Mayor of New York City Michael R. Bloomberg serves as President of the C40 Board of Directors, responsible for operational oversight. A regionally diverse management team, led by Executive Director Mark Watts, leads the day-to-day management of C40. C40’s two core strategic funders are Bloomberg Philanthropies and Realdania.

Our international staff work with the C40 network under the leadership of city governments to deliver this mission. Using a data-driven approach, our team identifies and promotes the exchange of proven programmes and policies developed by cities; provides world-class research, technical expertise and access to key partners to deliver new programmes and policies with cities; and communicates cities’ individual achievements and collective leadership.

Diversity Statement

C40 is committed to supporting and promoting equity and diversity and creating an inclusive working environment for everyone. We believe that when people with different life experiences are involved in decision-making, we deliver better.

We believe having a diverse workforce ensures we connect better with all the different communities and people affected by the climate crisis. This enables us to make better decisions which lead to better outcomes in the work we do through increased creativity, productivity, greater global impact alongside a broader perspective and approach to our work.

We welcome applicants that are diverse in terms of age, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, ethnicity and perspective. Our goal is for C40 to be an environment where everyone, from any background, can flourish and can be themselves whilst contributing to our mission. If you identify as a person with a disability, we work to provide reasonable appropriate measures and any additional support needed to provide an equitable working experience. If you are living with a disability, chronic illness or neurodiversity please inform us, to provide you with the proper assistance in the application process.

C40 promotes a work culture where staff can input to improve equity, diversity and inclusion through staff-led groups and formal forums. We know that creating our ideal working environment is a learning process and we are committed to the ongoing effort. For how C40 handles your personal information, please review our Privacy Notice – Recruitment.

Department description:

The C40 Corporate Services department serves as the non-programmatic support mechanism to the global organisation to ensure efficiency of day-to-day business practices. The team works collaboratively with C40 senior management and staff in providing support and guidance in people & culture, operations, information technology, grants management, budgeting, accounting and other administrative functions in accordance with C40’s internal policies, procedures and donor regulations.

Position Description:

The People Manager, Special Projects will report to the Head of Organisational Development to support and deliver projects across all of C40’s Organisational Development initiatives - ensuring that C40 is fit for purpose and able to proceed with agility alongside C40’s organisational strategy. This includes C40’s Learning & Development offer and Equity, Diversity & Inclusion strategy. The position supports all People-led initiatives and projects that cut across all Organisational Development - ensuring that C40’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (ED&I) agenda, learning & development, values, staff survey (and other data) amongst other policies are truly embedded into C40.

A major component of this role is to manage the coordination, delivery, and monitoring of C40’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (ED&I) Strategy and Action Plan across C40’s programmes, directorates, and internal operations as well as managing C40’s Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism (DIAR) Board while C40’s ED&I Manager is on maternity leave. The board is co-chaired by C40’s Executive Director and two staff appointed Co-chairs. The role also plays a key managing function in people data analysis, staff engagement in ED&I, and inclusive culture development across the organisation.

Responsibilities:

Special Projects/ Learning & Development

• Work with the Head of Organisational Development on managing Learning and Development initiatives, including the mentorship programme, and leadership development coaching
• Manage Learning systems and user access and send invitations to trainings
• Support the Head of Organisational Development in launching Career Spotlight talks and webinars within the Career Development Strategy
• Help build presentations and communications to relevant stakeholders - Operational Management Team and all staff for project launches
• Collaborate with the Head of Organisational Development on special projects as needed such as building a line manager orientation, reviewing C40’s staff regrading process and further trainings and guidance development for the Career Development strategy

DIAR Board/ ED&I Strategy & Action Plan Management

• Develop agendas, prepare presentations, draft speaking notes for the Co-Chairs, and take meeting minutes for quarterly DIAR Board meetings, ensuring clear follow-up actions and accountability
• Oversee and manage progress against the ED&I Action Plan and ED&I KPIs, working closely with relevant teams (People Team, Communications Team, and related programmatic teams) to identify risks, opportunities, and areas for continuous improvement
• Collaborate closely with the DIAR Board Co-Chairs and Head of Organisational Development to shape priorities, prepare for decision-making, and support the effective functioning of the DIAR Board

Data Analysis & Records

• Conduct quarterly analysis of staff demographic data or equalities data to be presented to C40’s Operational Management Team and annual staff demographic or equalities data to the DIAR Board
• Oversee the wellbeing survey process (which occurs in March and September) and conduct the data analysis to help identify solutions and new initiatives as needed
• Track learning offering and training attendance records as well as assist in keeping system access up to date for new staff

Communication/ Collaboration across C40

• Prepare content and deliver key messages for ED&I updates and various project and initiatives updates for monthly All Staff Calls
• Collaborate with representatives from staff-led working groups (Enable, LGBTQIA+, and ED&I), acting as a strategic link between staff initiatives, People Team priorities, and organisational leadership for ED&I
• Work with Co-chairs in organizing and managing ED&I Staff Townhalls to offer safe spaces for staff to raise issues and to consider further input into the ED&I action plan
• Organise guest speakers, prepare agendas, and manage event logistics for the C40 Discover Our World Talks series that highlights ED&I topics and regional cultures
• Liaise with the Staff Consultation Forum and Unite, UK union, representatives for consultation and input ahead of special project launches

Person Specification:

• Project management or coordination experience
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including understanding how to communicate with impact yet succinctly
• Possess excellent interpersonal and oral communication skills
• Proficiency in juggling working with other teams while independently executing projects
• Strong organizational skills, with excellent attention to detail and a delivery-oriented approach
• Strong slide deck and presentation development - strong understanding of effective communications and organisation of information
• Strong coordination skills, with ability to work across teams and time-zones, in formal and informal settings
• Strong proactive thinking and actioning with projects and new initiative launches
• Strong problem-solving, interpersonal and strategic thinking capabilities coupled with an outcome/delivery-oriented approach
• Strong ability for creative thinking in identifying solutions to problems
• Experience in planning and organizing hybrid virtual and in-person events
• Strong data and analytical skills, to quickly draw out, interpret and communicate actionable insights to propose targeted interventions and programs within the organization
• International experience preferred, particularly working across different cultures, languages and time zones
• Preferred experience of working in the Equity, Diversity & Inclusion space
• Preferred experience with People & Culture or more specifically Learning & Development projects
• Strong project management experience preferred

Other Requirements:

Applicants must already have the right to work in the country where they apply. One off travel for annual team away days may be required as part of the role.

We seek to recruit individuals who not only have the appropriate skills and experience for the role, but are committed to carrying out their roles in line with our organisational values.

C40 offers a comprehensive benefits package to support employee well-being and work-life balance:

• Paid Time Off: Full-time employees receive 35 days of paid time off annually, which includes all national holidays.
• Company Shutdowns: In addition to the standard paid time off, C40 provides two non-contractual, non-statutory shutdown weeks each year (mid-year and end-of-year) for a full break.
• Parental Leave: All employees are eligible for up to 52 weeks of parenting leave. The first 16 weeks are paid at 100% of the employee's current salary. Weeks 17 through 52 are unpaid by C40, unless payment is required by national law.
• Flexible Working: C40 supports flexible working arrangements to enhance work-life balance, provided they align with business requirements.
• Time off in Lieu (TOIL): Employees can take TOIL to recover following periods of excessive hours or travel.
• Sick Leave: Entitlement to sick leave increases upon the successful completion of the employee's probation period.
• Employee Training: Training and development opportunities are available to all staff (excluding temporary staff and interns) after they have completed and passed their probation period.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP): Confidential services, such as counselling, are accessible for short-term support.
• Pension scheme: C40 offers a pension scheme to employees in eligible locations. Availability is determined by the country of employment.
• Private Health Insurance: This is provided in countries where publicly funded healthcare is not available.

Application Process:

Interested applicants should submit a curriculum vitae and cover letter. The closing date for receipt of applications is Monday, 23rd March 2026 at 5pm GMT. C40 reserves the right to close this job opening before the closing date for applications so please do submit applications early.

To learn more about the work of C40 and our cities, please visit www.c40.org, follow us on Twitter @c40cities and like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/C40Cities.

For any queries about the role, please contact [email protected]. Kindly note that this email address is for recruitment related queries only. We are unable to accept CVs and cover letters sent to this inbox. We can only accept and process applications that are submitted via our website.

C40 is an equal opportunities employer.