The India Climate Collaborative (ICC) was established in 2020 to coordinate and support Indian philanthropists scaling corporate and family philanthropy in India for climate impact. We unlock philanthropic capital, identify catalytic climate priorities, and create connective infrastructure to support that mission. We were founded by some of India's pre-eminent corporate and philanthropic leaders, including Rohini Nilekani, Ratan Tata, Anand Mahindra, Nadir Godrej, and others.

The India Climate Leaders (ICL) program aims to cultivate and empower climate leaders among high net-worth individuals in India. This initiative is driven by the need to align with India's ambitious mitigation targets, development priorities, and advocate for accelerated climate funding and integrated action.

As the Head of ICL, you will play a pivotal role in engaging with philanthropists and business leaders, to cultivate India's pioneering climate philanthropic leaders and help them move to action/giving at scale. This involves identifying and engaging with ultra-high-net-worth philanthropists to build a robust foundation for climate action. Responsibilities include developing long-term strategic goals, identifying, and building appropriate knowledge products and public goods for the climate donor ecosystem in India, creating giving opportunities appropriate for domestic donors (based on work by CSO partners and the ICC’s Sectors team) managing donor relationships, engaging experienced climate donors globally to interact with Indian families, and leading the team.

 

The Head of ICL will collaborate closely with ICC's Senior Leadership, offering support and mentorship to the ICL team. They will act as a vital internal and external liaison, connecting team members, funders, and core partners. They will be responsible for driving a set of clear outcomes, including:

a. A strong pipeline of climate philanthropists with annual and longer-term goals for money moved in India for Indian solutions.

b. Securing sizeable funding commitments towards climate action.

c. Clear engagement strategy, goals, and targets.

a. List of ready-to-fund opportunities built from partnership with civil society organizations and global and national networks so that new philanthropists can find great, collaborative work to scale.

b. Clear process in place to due diligence as well as identify new opportunities.

c. Ability to translate this work for the new entrant.

a. Partnerships established or expanded with international and domestic organisations to support our goals of scaling the number and amount Indian families are giving to climate impact. (we already have deep relationships with Climate Lead, AVPN, WEF, etc.).

b. Insights exchanged between climate leaders and philanthropists across other global south markets.

Beyond the program, you will be expected to work collaboratively with peers to set and influence the organisation’s strategy, direction, and growth, and strengthen ICC’s position as an ecosystem enabler body for climate action in India.

 • Minimum of fifteen years of fundraising and/or equivalent donor advising experience.

• Proven success in cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding eight-figure gifts from philanthropists, especially ultra-high-net-worth donors.

• Strong project planning skills, ability to define workstreams, and manage multiple timelines and deadlines.

• Exceptional interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with convening capabilities.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with a persuasive and attentive approach.

• Proven ability to lead, engage, and collaborate with diverse staff and partners.

• Experience managing team members inclusively and supportively, with coaching and development skills.

• Good working knowledge of climate change; past climate experience is advantageous.

• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.

• Demonstrated agility and adaptability in entrepreneurial, ambiguous, or changing environments.

• A Master’s degree is preferred.

 

 • Strategic, while also able to build systems and process to achieve goals/make trade-offs.

• Able to influence without power.

• Collaborative, but unafraid to take decisions.

• High emotional intelligence, and the ability to approach difficult conversations with grace.

• Encourages, and has a learning mindset.

• Is deeply mission driven and passionate about climate action.

• Loves to build and embraces ambiguity.

• Working with the leading minds on climate change across philanthropy, research institutions, government and implementing organizations, as part of India’s climate movement.

• Growth and exposure in a quickly growing start-up organization, with a young team committed to professional development.

• Opportunity to institute best practices, and develop ICC traditions, and be part of building the experience of working at the organization.  

• A competitive salary based on industry standards.

 

Location: Mumbai

 

A resume detailing work experience, education, qualifications, and contact information (name, email, phone) for at least one professional reference. 

   

Timeline Prospective candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible and will be interviewed on a rolling basis. Due to the small capacity of our team, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.   

 

The India Climate Collaborative, registered as the Council of Philanthropies for Climate Action, is an equal opportunity employer.