Application Guide

How to Apply for Industry Transition Programme Manager, PIE

at European Climate Foundation

🏢 About European Climate Foundation

The Pooled-fund on International Energy (PIE) is a unique international grant-making and strategy platform hosted by the European Climate Foundation, focusing specifically on accelerating the just transition in power and industry sectors. What makes PIE distinctive is its collaborative, multi-stakeholder approach that brings together diverse actors to drive systemic change, offering the opportunity to work at the intersection of climate policy, industry transformation, and strategic philanthropy on a global scale.

About This Role

This Industry Transition Programme Manager role involves leading PIE's iron and steel decarbonization workstream, from strategic development to grantmaking and campaign execution. The position is impactful because it directly shapes how billions in industrial investments transition toward clean technologies while ensuring social equity, requiring both technical understanding of heavy industry and sophisticated stakeholder mobilization skills.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve morning coordination with global grantees in different time zones to align campaign activities, followed by developing strategic documents on steel decarbonization pathways. Afternoons could include convening virtual meetings with labor representatives, industry experts, and NGO partners to build consensus on policy positions, while evenings might involve reviewing grant proposals and preparing recommendations for funding decisions.

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🎯 Who European Climate Foundation Is Looking For

  • Has 8-10 years of hands-on experience designing and executing public campaigns or advocacy initiatives that have demonstrably influenced policy or industry practices
  • Possesses deep knowledge of both NGO campaigning dynamics AND government policy processes, particularly in climate/industrial policy contexts
  • Demonstrates specific expertise in international climate politics and can articulate how industrial decarbonization fits within broader climate frameworks like the Paris Agreement
  • Has experience managing complex stakeholder relationships across civil society, labor unions, businesses, and government agencies simultaneously

📝 Tips for Applying to European Climate Foundation

1

Quantify your impact in previous roles using specific metrics (e.g., 'mobilized X coalition partners leading to Y policy change' rather than 'managed stakeholders')

2

Explicitly connect your experience to iron/steel decarbonization or heavy industry transition, even if indirectly - show you understand the sector's unique challenges

3

Demonstrate understanding of PIE's grantmaking model by describing how you've previously managed grants or partnerships for strategic impact

4

Highlight experience working in remote, distributed teams since this is a remote position with likely global collaborators

5

Showcase your ability to distill complex industrial/technical issues into accessible strategy documents with concrete examples from your portfolio

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your specific experience with multi-stakeholder mobilization across civil society, labor, business, and government sectors', "Concrete examples of how you've developed and implemented strategic frameworks for complex advocacy initiatives", 'Your understanding of iron and steel decarbonization challenges and potential solutions', "How your background aligns with PIE's collaborative, grant-making approach rather than traditional NGO campaigning"]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → PIE's existing publications and strategy documents on industrial transition (available through ECF websites)
  • → Current major initiatives in iron and steel decarbonization globally, particularly in Europe, Asia, and North America
  • → The specific structure of how PIE operates as a pooled fund - who the contributors are and how decisions are made
  • → Recent campaigns or advocacy efforts targeting heavy industry that align with PIE's mission

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk us through how you would develop a strategic framework for iron and steel decarbonization in a specific region
2 Describe a time you managed conflicting priorities among diverse stakeholders (civil society, business, labor) in a campaign
3 How would you measure success for PIE's industry transition workstream beyond traditional grant metrics?
4 What do you see as the biggest political barriers to industrial decarbonization in key regions, and how would you address them?
5 How have you previously managed a grantee portfolio to maximize collective impact rather than individual project success?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Focusing only on climate science knowledge without demonstrating campaign/advocacy execution experience
  • Presenting as an individual expert rather than a collaborative strategist and convener
  • Generic statements about passion for climate work without specific examples related to industry or policy change

📅 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:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to European Climate Foundation!

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