Senior Governance Manager

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 200+ staff is headquartered in London, with offices in New York, Johannesburg, Singapore, Delhi, Rio de Janeiro, Copenhagen, Beijing and Paris, and individual staff based across 25+ different locations, with the Office of the Chair based in London. 

The strategic direction of the organisation is determined by an elected Steering Committee of C40 mayors which is chaired by the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan. Three-term Mayor of New York City Michael R. Bloomberg serves as President of the C40 Board of Directors, which is responsible for operational oversight. A nine-person management team, led by Executive Director, Mark Watts, leads the day-to-day management of C40. C40’s three core strategic funders are Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) 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.

Department Description

The C40 Corporate Services department serves as the non-programmatic support mechanism to the global organization 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 legal & compliance, human resources, information technology, grants management, budgeting, accounting, and other administrative functions in accordance with C40’s internal policies, procedures and donor regulations.

Position Description

The Senior Governance Manager will lead C40’s global corporate governance compliance and processes for the C40 Group of companies. The postholder will manage a variety of legal, risk and compliance requirements where it is currently registered - the United States (parent company), the United Kingdom, China, South Africa, Denmark, and Belgium, and they will also project lead the establishment of new entities where needed. The postholder will oversee compliance requirements wherever C40 has employees in approximately 29 countries. The postholder will liaise with multiple departments, functions and external partners and advisors, will need to have the ability to understand and predict regulatory and other risks, and have a general understanding of legal/ statutory requirements where C40 operates.

Responsibilities:

• In coordination with local legal advisors and company secretaries, manage the compliance and maintenance of various non-profit companies registered in the United States, United Kingdom, China, South Africa, Denmark and Belgium.
• Manage the board processes for each local board – ensure meetings take place, correct filings are made, determine agenda items to recommend to the board, ensure annual meetings are undertaken.
• Draft relevant compliance-related board papers for all C40 entities.
• Audit and maintain the company books for each entity.
• Review board papers to ensure they are compliant with local requirements.
• Ensure all directors have sound advice and recommendations cleared by legal counsels to support board directors and the UK Company Secretary with their fiduciary and legal responsibilities. Advise and train board directors on their duties and responsibilities, including comprehensive inductions for new board members.
• Ownership of corporate documents for each C40 entity.
• Ownership of the Corporate Compliance Tracker that tracks all annual compliance deadlines.
• Conduct hiring analyses in countries/ jurisdictions where C40 wishes to hire new staff. Maintain the database of hiring requirements for each country where C40 has employees (33+ countries).
• Manage the legal advisors’ database and ensure C40 maintains good engagement with its local law firms.
• Lead on establishing new entities where there is a legal requirement.
• Liaise with other finance professionals, auditors, external accounting firms, legal firms, tax advisers, bankers, and other external advisors as needed.

Person Specification:

• Legal qualification desired
• Preferable - recognised compliance, audit, or governance qualification (such as CCEP, CERA, CRM, FRM, PRM, RIMS, ICSA, ACA, ACCA, or CIMA)
• Substantive experience working in legal, risk, compliance and/ or corporate governance
• General knowledge of corporate regulatory requirements such as company law, charity law, general corporation laws of U.S. states, U.S. 501(c) regulations, governance best practices, interpretation of bylaws, company articles and other constitutional documents, etc
• Preferable - experience working with a Board of Directors/ Trustees or in a political organisation supporting governing committees/ boards
• Ability to make judgement calls to determine recommendations for the board’s review, e.g., new policies based on updated regulations; issues to be escalated to a Board; etc.
• Strong problem-solving, creative, interpersonal skills coupled with an outcome, delivery-oriented approach
• A high level of initiative and ability to work independently
• International experience, particularly working across different cultures, languages and time
• Highly professional; ability to communicate effectively with senior professionals
• Strong written and verbal English language skills required with preference to candidates speaking one or more languages from C40 member cities

Other Requirements:

Applicants must already have the right to work in the country where they apply. Moderate travel will be required as part of the role.

Reporting To: Director of Global Operations

Term: Indefinite Contract 

Location: London, Johannesburg, Singapore 

Salary: (Grade 3) £51,470 / R787,500 / SGD 93,508

Application Process:

To apply, please submit an updated curriculum vitae and cover letter.

Closing date for applications is Monday 28th February 2022. 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 removed - click apply for more details]

C40 is an equal opportunities employer.