South Pole is an energetic, global company offering comprehensive sustainability solutions and services. With offices spanning all continents across the globe, we strive to create a sustainable society and economy that positively impacts our climate, ecosystems and developing communities. With our solutions, we inspire and enable our customers to create value from sustainability-related activities.
Our Project Sourcing team works hand in hand with project owners and developers, active in the carbon markets and renewable energy space, to identify, negotiate and contract new emission reduction projects. By acquiring new projects within our portfolio, we ensure that South Pole always has the right mix of carbon credits available to meet the demands of our clients. If you’re an ambitious and dynamic sustainability professional with a strong passion to make a real difference in the fight against climate change, this position may be right for you!
Job summary:
Your goal as Head of Novel CDR Solutions is to build South Pole’s position as the leading purveyor of high quality CDRs from technological projects providing long term storage of CO2 removed from the atmosphere. As a new market segment, you will support the Global Director for Tech Removals in expanding the NextGen CDR Facility (NextGen), as well as building new business opportunities related to novel CDR to further develop and refine South Pole’s carbon removals offering.
Activities will include strategy development, product development, thought leadership, market development, business development, commercial negotiations, partnerships and mobilization of internal resources across relevant teams within South Pole.
As an immediate priority, you will (i) cultivate a pipeline of projects for NextGen, including facilitation of the technical and commercial assessment of projects, (ii) develop relationships and secure new buyers for NextGen, and (iii) establish the team and processes to support sales from large scale CDR projects. Longer term, you will have a broad range of responsibilities related to market and strategy development for Novel CDR, including establishing the value proposition for corporates to acquire CDRs from novel projects in close collaboration with South Pole’s marketing, portfolio, sales and business development teams.
You will act as the main focal point within South Pole on the topic of novel carbon removals projects, ensuring alignment and coordination across all functions within South Pole. You will play an integral role in helping shape the strategy for technological carbon removal offerings based on market needs and South Pole’s capabilities.
Main tasks & responsibilities:
- Lead internal coordination on South Pole’s technological carbon removal offering with the aim to support the NextGen CDR Facility, while building a parallel business that aligns market demand and client needs within South Pole
- Design strategy related to sourcing and building demand for South Pole’s carbon removals offering to individual companies and corporates, with a focus on carbon markets
- Develop South Pole narratives and coordinate external outreach activities including communications, event participation, marketing, thought leadership, advocacy and alignment with standard bodies, industry associations, civil society organisations and relevant initiatives
- Establish a team, processes and related materials to advance market and business development activities related to the large novel CDR removals offerings, including:
- Defining and disseminating a business development strategy in close collaboration with South Pole’s Business Development, Portfolio and Key Account Management teams
- Supervision of a dedicated marketing and communications campaign to increase awareness of novel CDR and to identify new sources of demand
- Engagement in business development activities with potential buyers, including providing insights on sales calls
- Development and promotion of thought leadership around the topic of carbon removals and the need for novel CDR removals in addition to nature-based removals
- Contribute to business opportunities and product development efforts related to advisory services and the broad range ofClimate Solutions at South Pole
- Topics of engagement include: Net Zero strategies and targets, GHG accounting, compensation and neutralisation of emissions based on avoided emissions or carbon removals, nature-based and removal from negative emission technologies, carbon procurement, carbon credit certification and respective carbon standards, results-based finance, impact investment, standards and structured financial instruments.
Requirements:
Essential -
- University degree, ideally at a Master’s level or higher
- Extensive experience in technical and/or commercial roles focused on carbon removal technologies, carbon markets, project investment and/or experience in developing and implementing sustainability strategies
- Deep understanding of corporate climate strategies, carbon markets, carbon procurement and investments
- Experience in managing high-performing teams across geographies and cultures, including experience in leading remote teams
- Strategic mindset and problem-solving skills, with the ability to establish a compelling vision for the growth of the practice
- Excellent business development and commercial skills, including the ability to lead contract negotiations while understanding the specific needs of our clients and translate this into effective client management
- Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills, demonstrating strong writing ability and specific experience in dealing with senior decision makers (such as C-Suite) and external stakeholders and capability
- Diligent, reliable and proactive attitude with a demonstrated prioritisation and time management skills
- Comfortable operating in a fast-paced international and adaptive work environment
- National or holder of a valid permit
Desirable -
- Knowledge of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies, including direct air capture (DAC), mineralisation, biomass capture and removal (BiCRS), enhanced weathering and product mineralization
- Understanding of the carbon capture and utilisation/storage (CCU/S) policy landscape
- Industry-relevant connections, with a wide network of potential clients, collaborators or other relevant stakeholders
- Experience with climate change mitigation corporate stewardship guidelines, GHG accounting and carbon credit standards or related fields
- Experience in stakeholder management and alignment
- Good working knowledge of all Google Suite applications and MS Word
What we offer:
At South Pole, we care about our employees as much as we care about the planet. South Pole is not just an employer, we are a Team. South Pole does not just offer people a job, we offer you a career. By joining our team, you will find strong purpose and deep meaning in everything you do. You will have the chance to make a real difference for our clients and for the planet, working alongside a passionate team of like-minded colleagues, while building your knowledge/skills and developing your career in a fun, dynamic, international and fast-growing organisation.
We’re a planet of 7.5 billion unique and different people. We all have a contribution to make and South Pole is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, marital status or disability. Our recruitment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit and business need.