Application Guide

How to Apply for Senior Manager, Data Systems, Regions and Partnerships

at C40 Cities

🏢 About C40 Cities

C40 Cities is a unique global network of nearly 100 mayors from the world's leading cities who are united in action to confront the climate crisis. Unlike typical NGOs, C40 operates through direct city partnerships, creating tangible climate solutions with measurable impact. Working here means collaborating with urban leaders worldwide to implement bold, science-based climate action that improves public health and equity.

About This Role

This Senior Manager role is pivotal in bridging technical data systems with global climate action implementation across C40's network and the Global Covenant of Mayors (GCoM). You'll lead coalition-building for data system development and rollout, acting as the primary technical liaison between city users and development partners. Your work will directly accelerate climate action in cities worldwide by ensuring data systems effectively support decision-making.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve morning coordination with GCoM regional covenant teams on Data System rollout progress, followed by technical meetings with development partners to refine specifications based on city feedback. Afternoons could include facilitating coalition discussions on AI applications for climate action and preparing regional engagement materials for C40's network cities in different time zones.

🚀 Application Tools

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Interview Prep

Practice questions for this role

🎯 Who C40 Cities Is Looking For

  • Has 5+ years experience managing complex data system/product implementations in urban sustainability or climate change contexts, preferably with municipal or international organizations
  • Demonstrates proven ability to translate between technical teams and non-technical city stakeholders, with experience managing multi-disciplinary workstreams and consultant budgets
  • Possesses strong coalition-building skills with experience in global partnerships, particularly at the intersection of AI/technology and climate action implementation
  • Has excellent communication skills with experience coordinating across regions and cultures, ideally with exposure to GCoM Regional/National Covenants or similar networks

📝 Tips for Applying to C40 Cities

1

Quantify your experience with data system rollout metrics - mention specific adoption rates, user engagement numbers, or implementation timelines from past projects

2

Highlight any direct experience with GCoM, C40 cities, or similar municipal climate networks in your resume - this shows immediate relevance

3

Demonstrate your technical translation skills by describing a specific example where you converted city/user requirements into technical specifications

4

Include coalition-building examples that show how you've managed relationships between technical partners and end-users in sustainability contexts

5

Tailor your application to show understanding of C40's city-led approach - avoid generic climate NGO language and focus on municipal implementation

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your specific experience managing data system implementations in municipal or international climate contexts, with concrete examples', "How you've successfully built coalitions between technical partners and city stakeholders to drive adoption of sustainability tools", 'Your approach to translating between AI/technical teams and city climate action practitioners to ensure practical implementation', "Why C40's city-network model specifically appeals to you and how your experience aligns with their partnership-driven approach"]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Study C40's current Data Systems initiatives and how they support cities' Climate Action Plans - review their reports and case studies
  • → Research the Global Covenant of Mayors (GCoM) structure, particularly their Regional/National Covenants and how they operate
  • → Explore C40's regional teams and their focus areas to understand the context for regional engagement activities
  • → Review C40's partnerships with technical organizations and how they currently support data system development

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe your experience managing the rollout of a data system to municipal governments - what challenges did you face and how did you overcome them?
2 How would you approach building a coalition at the intersection of AI and city climate action, given C40's diverse global membership?
3 Walk us through how you typically translate user requirements from non-technical city staff into technical specifications for development teams
4 What strategies have you used to coordinate engagement activities across different regions with varying capacities and priorities?
5 How would you measure success in this role, particularly regarding Data System uptake across GCoM and C40 cities?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Using generic climate change language without demonstrating understanding of municipal implementation challenges and solutions
  • Focusing only on technical data skills without showing experience in stakeholder management and coalition-building
  • Presenting experience that's purely corporate or national-level without municipal/international partnership context

📅 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 C40 Cities!

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