Business Operations Lead

**Job Title**: Business Operations Lead - Knowledge sharing and Optimisation
**Team**:Business Operations Desk

**Contract**: Permanent

**Level**:Advanced
Please refer to our Capability Framework
**Location**: Belgium, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, UK

**ABOUT US**
- At Climate KIC, we are wholeheartedly committed to building a diverse and representative team and an inclusive workplace that values different life experiences and perspectives, and we encourage personal development, learning and growth._
- Don’t let Imposter Syndrome stop you from applying_

Climate KIC (Knowledge and Innovation Community) is Europe’s foremost climate innovation initiative. We understand that keeping global temperature rise below 1.5˚C demands unprecedented change. It requires new social dynamics, ways of doing business, capital flows, policymaking, economic models, and new ways of living. That is why our mission is to leverage the power of systems innovation to transform whole places, industries and value chains by 2030, working across sectors to develop and scale ambitious, mission-led programmes. Climate KIC’s strategy 2024-2030, _Transformation, with Urgency_, is available here.

Climate KIC operates as a not-for-profit platform working through public-private partnership, wielding both public and private funding. Established in 2010 and headquartered in Amsterdam, we orchestrate a community of more than 150 organisations including large corporations and SMEs, municipal and regional governments, universities and research institutes, as well as non-governmental organisations and civil society actors.

Climate KIC leads the implementation of the European Union’s Mission on Climate Neutral and Smart Cities and the launch pilot of the Mission on Climate-Adaptation both with the objective of catalysing rapid and deep transformation on a large scale, creating the precedent and economic transition conditions for demonstration, learning, capacity building, fast followership and investment. Achieving the EU Cities Mission will mean avoided scope 1 and 2 emissions alone of an estimated 0.7GT CO2e between now and 2040.

Climate KIC has a Remote-First strategy, where colleagues work remotely from home based in one of the countries where we have a branch or employing entity (and can work out of local offices or co-working seats, where they exist). We meet at our local offices to exchange and connect and use online collaboration tools to work with each other and with our community. On occasion, we meet in person as teams, and once per year as an organisation.

As a mission-driven organisation dedicated to climate transformation, we consider the climate impact of our own actions, for example travel, catering, or IT equipment.

**ABOUT THE ROLE**

In response to our strategic initiative to diversify funding streams and set up the business for success in a multi-funder environment, the Business Operations Desk is a one-stop shop assisting business process optimisation with focus on standardising and quality assurance of practices around project and grant management incl. facilitating an internal community of practice for knowledge sharing and learning. In relation to core organisational funding, the Business Operation Desk serves as Secretariat to the likes of The Collaborative. The Business Operations Desk also plays a key role in supporting a healthy funding pipeline through the deal desk review process.

As Business Operations Lead - Knowledge sharing and Optimisation, you will play a pivotal integrating role, working closely with the Business Operations Desk Orchestrator to drive operational excellence across grant management, project delivery, and knowledge-sharing practices.

You will be hands on with Grant Management. You will play a leading role in developing project management discipline, building a vibrant Community of Practice, and ensuring smooth operational alignment across the grant lifecycle. You will lead the development and standardisation of project management processes, foster rigorous adherence to grant policies, and act as a key integrator—ensuring that systems, processes, and policies are not only effective but also streamlined and consistent across the grant lifecycle. You will bridge teams, optimise cross-functional workflows, and foster collaboration, supporting Climate KIC’s mission to deliver multi-funder, portfolio-driven impact.

This role is a strategic anchor for Climate KIC’s transition toward multi-funder excellence, improved project delivery, and collaborative knowledge-sharing. You will play a central part in building systems, empowering teams, and ensuring operational coherence - driving Climate KIC’s capacity to deliver transformative climate action.

**Key Responsibilities**:
**Grant Management Discipline & Operational Excellence**
- ** Lead and Improve Grant Management Practices**: Ensure rigorous adherence to grant policies and compliance across the entire grant lifecycle—from pre-awar