How to apply for Senior Director, European Advocacy

About Clean Air Task Force

Clean Air Task Force (CATF) is a unique organization that combines deep technical expertise with strategic advocacy to drive the rapid deployment of low-carbon technologies. Unlike many environmental groups, CATF focuses on pragmatic, high-impact solutions and has a proven track record of influencing policy at the highest levels. Working here means contributing directly to a zero-emissions future through innovative policy and technology pathways.

About the role

As Senior Director, European Advocacy, you will lead CATF's pan-European policy strategy, shaping the regulatory and political landscape for climate action. You will serve on the senior leadership team, aligning resources across the organization, and manage a distributed team of experts. This role is critical for translating global climate goals into actionable EU policies and building partnerships with donors and stakeholders.

A typical day

A typical day might start with a virtual check-in with your team of policy leads across Europe, followed by a strategy call with CATF's global leadership to align on priorities. You could then meet with an MEP's office to discuss upcoming legislation, review a funding proposal with the Development team, and end the day by analyzing a new policy paper from the European Commission. The role requires balancing high-level strategy with hands-on advocacy and team management.

Who Clean Air Task Force is looking for

• A seasoned leader with 10+ years in senior management, strategy, or policy advocacy, ideally with direct experience in European energy and climate policy.
• Proven ability to lead and develop high-performing, geographically distributed teams, with at least 6 years of coaching and managing across cultures.
• Deep understanding of EU political dynamics, private sector engagement, and the technical aspects of low-carbon technologies (e.g., carbon capture, hydrogen, advanced nuclear).
• Fluent in English with excellent communication skills; additional European languages are a plus. Demonstrated success in fundraising and donor relations.

Tips for this application

• Explicitly connect your leadership experience to the specific policy areas CATF focuses on (e.g., decarbonization of industry, clean hydrogen, carbon management).
• Highlight examples of how you've aligned regional advocacy strategies with global organizational goals, especially in a multi-country context.
• Showcase your experience managing remote teams across Europe, including specific examples of how you fostered collaboration and accountability.
• Mention any direct experience with EU institutions (e.g., European Commission, Parliament) and key climate/energy legislation (e.g., Fit for 55, ETS).
• Tailor your cover letter to demonstrate understanding of CATF's unique approach: science-based, technology-neutral, and focused on high-impact policy levers.

What to cover in your cover letter

["Your vision for advancing CATF's European policy agenda, referencing specific challenges like the EU's 2040 climate target or industrial decarbonization.", 'Concrete examples of leading cross-cultural teams to achieve policy wins, including how you navigated political complexities.', "Your commitment to CATF's mission and your understanding of the technical and political landscape for low-carbon technologies in Europe.", 'Your fundraising acumen, with examples of securing major gifts or grants from European foundations, governments, or philanthropists.']

Research before applying

• Review CATF's latest reports and advocacy positions on European policy issues, such as their stance on the EU ETS reform or the Net-Zero Industry Act.
• Understand CATF's organizational structure and how the European Advocacy team interacts with other global teams (e.g., US, Asia).
• Read about CATF's major donors and funding sources in Europe to understand their philanthropic strategy.
• Familiarize yourself with key EU policy debates relevant to CATF's focus areas (e.g., hydrogen certification, carbon border adjustment mechanism).

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• How would you approach aligning national advocacy efforts across EU member states with different political priorities?
• Describe a time you led a team through a major strategic shift—how did you manage resistance and ensure buy-in?
• What is your assessment of the current EU policy landscape for carbon capture and storage (CCS) and what gaps need addressing?
• How would you build relationships with key stakeholders (e.g., MEPs, industry leaders, NGOs) to advance CATF's goals?
• Share an example of a successful fundraising campaign you led for a policy advocacy organization.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Submitting a generic application that doesn't reference CATF's specific focus on low-carbon technology deployment or European policy.
• Overemphasizing academic credentials without demonstrating practical leadership and advocacy experience in a multi-country context.
• Failing to address the fundraising component of the role—this is a key accountability area, so ignoring it signals a lack of fit.