Section Head - Strategic Partnerships

Job description
About us
Acting to combat climate change is one of the world’s most pressing challenges. Climate Friendly was founded in 2003 as a profit-for-purpose business. Our growing team is passionate about active land management, and we are focused on finding economically viable solutions to maximise our impact on climate change.
We are one of Australia’s largest and most experienced carbon farming project developers. This includes more than 160 projects with farmers, plantation managers, agribusiness, and Indigenous groups on carbon farming projects.
Climate Friendly has delivered over 30Mt in carbon abatement as at the end of 2023. Our immediate mission is to establish partnerships, by 2025, that will store or reduce 150Mt of CO2-e, while repairing nature and supporting reconciliation. Join our team and you will be helping to build a productive, sustainable land sector that contributes to a zero net emissions & nature positive Australia by 2050.
We have a genuinely friendly and supportive culture where everyone has a voice and opportunity to help shape our future and to fulfil our purpose.
The role
As Section Head, you will manage a small remote team to establish and develop new Strategic Partnerships to deliver environmental impact through new carbon farming and nature repair projects.
Key responsibilities include:

• Driving new carbon project registrations with strategic partners through:

• Strategic selection and screening of potential partners.
• Presenting carbon farming opportunities to prospective strategic partners.
• Report writing, partnership and consultancy product development.
• Working with Climate Friendly’s internal service teams to assess eligibility, quantify carbon potential, develop project implementation plans and collate data for project registration, project audit and continued project management.
• Working internally to co-ordinate and drive project development & registrations.
• Developing and managing key strategic partner relationships.
• Negotiation of partnership agreements.
• Extending individual skills within your team to achieve overall team and personal development objectives, through day-to-day management, coaching, leadership and training.
• Translating team level KPIs into individual level KPIs.
• Developing / implementing / monitoring best practices that meet the sections objectives.
• Monitoring section budget and daily operations to identify risks and address potential roadblocks.
• Developing innovative offers and business models that meet the needs of diverse partners.
• Maintaining productive working relationships with senior representatives of existing and future strategic partners. Examples include agribusinesses, transitioning energy and resource companies, conservation organisations, and Indigenous representative bodies or organisations.
• Gaining and maintaining Authorised Representative status under our AFSL, including meeting all ongoing requirements this involves.

About you

• 5+ years' experience identifying, developing and executing Strategic Partnerships.
• Experience in the development and approval of new business models, structures and commercial offerings.
• Relevant tertiary qualifications, or lived experience in the sustainable agriculture industry an advantage.
• Experience managing and coaching employees as part of a small team.
• Comfort with Microsoft suite and CRM systems.
• Basic skills in mapping systems like QGIS and/or willingness and capacity to quickly upskill in this space is desirable.
• An understanding of sustainable land management strategies and the Agricultural sector, with the ability to communicate key principles with a wide variety of stakeholders.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with proven ability to build effective relationships across business units.
• Exceptional communication skills, with experience preparing and delivering compelling, engaging and informative presentations to management and strategic partners.
• The ability to work on multiple priorities and tasks is essential.
• A strong interest in environmental and public good outcomes.
• Previous experience with Emissions Reduction Fund/Carbon Farming advantageous
• Capacity to travel on a semi-regular basis.

Climate Friendly encourages people from different backgrounds to apply, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from different cultural backgrounds and people with disabilities.
Why join our team?
Our goal is to be seen as an organisation that supports wholeness, lifestyle and wellbeing whilst rewarding individual and collective performance. In addition to competitive salary and transparent career progression opportunities, our benefits include:

• Work with purpose, contributing to a productive, sustainable land sector that contributes to a zero net emissions and nature positive Australia by 2050.
• A fully hybrid workplace - work to your own rhythm and balance connection and productivity.
• A supportive and inclusive environment that promotes diversity.
• 2 all staff events a year to connect with your friends and colleagues.
• Christmas holiday - 3 days of additional leave each year.
• Floating public holidays.
• Gender neutral paid parental leave.
• 2 days each year for training / development / study leave.
• Home office setup and refresh allowance.
• Company performance bonus and shared equity.

Applications for this role will take you to the employer's site.
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