Application Guide
How to Apply for Head of Strategic Partnerships
at C40 Cities
🏢 About C40 Cities
C40 Cities is a unique global network of nearly 100 major cities committed to urgent and ambitious climate action. Working here means collaborating with world-leading mayors and city officials to drive policy and investment that creates a healthier, more sustainable future. It's an opportunity to be at the forefront of urban climate solutions with a truly global impact.
About This Role
As Head of Strategic Partnerships, you will architect and execute C40's fundraising strategy, securing resources from foundations, governments, and philanthropists to fuel climate initiatives. This role is impactful because your work directly enables cities to implement bold climate policies and projects, accelerating the transition to a low-carbon world.
💡 A Day in the Life
Your day might start with a check-in with your fundraising team to review progress on grant applications and donor communications. Mid-morning, you could join a call with a prospective foundation to pitch a new climate resilience program. Afternoon might involve analyzing Salesforce reports to identify lapsed donors or drafting a strategy memo for the executive team on diversifying revenue streams.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who C40 Cities Is Looking For
- A seasoned fundraiser with 8+ years of experience in global, fast-paced environments, ideally in climate, environment, or sustainability.
- An exceptional communicator and networker who can build trust with senior executives, mayors, and high-net-worth individuals.
- A strategic thinker who can design long-term fundraising plans while overseeing day-to-day team operations and CRM (Salesforce) management.
- A proven people manager who can lead, mentor, and coordinate a fundraising team to meet ambitious targets.
📝 Tips for Applying to C40 Cities
Tailor your CV to highlight quantifiable fundraising results (e.g., 'Secured $5M from a major foundation over 3 years') rather than just listing responsibilities.
In your cover letter, explicitly connect your fundraising experience to climate or urban sustainability, even if indirectly (e.g., 'Led a campaign for renewable energy funding').
Demonstrate Salesforce proficiency by mentioning specific reports, dashboards, or data clean-up projects you managed.
Research C40's current funders (e.g., Bloomberg Philanthropies, Children's Investment Fund Foundation) and reference them to show you understand their partnership landscape.
Emphasize any experience working with international stakeholders or in a matrix organization, as C40 operates across multiple cities and time zones.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Your passion for climate action and how it aligns with C40's mission of bold, city-led change.", 'Specific examples of securing large-scale partnerships (e.g., $1M+ grants) and managing those relationships.', 'Your experience leading and developing a fundraising team, including setting targets and using CRM systems.', 'Understanding of the philanthropic and governmental funding landscape for climate initiatives.']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Read C40's latest annual report and flagship initiatives (e.g., Deadline 2020, Global Green New Deal) to understand current funding priorities.
- → Review the list of C40's current partners and funders on their website to identify potential gaps or opportunities.
- → Understand the governance structure: C40 is a network of cities, so partnerships often involve both the central team and city-level stakeholders.
- → Familiarize yourself with key climate funding trends, such as the rise of blended finance or city-level green bonds.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Being too generic: avoid a cover letter that could apply to any fundraising role. Show you understand C40's city-focused mission.
- Overlooking the people management aspect: this role requires leading a team, so don't focus solely on individual fundraising.
- Ignoring the CRM requirement: not mentioning Salesforce experience or dismissing its importance can be a deal-breaker.
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!