Green Finance Institute
Executive Director, GFI Transition Finance Lab
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Start date: As soon as possible
Contract: Permanent
Reporting into: Ingrid Holmes, Deputy CEO GFI and Chair, GFI Transition Finance Lab
About the Green Finance Institute (GFI)
Established in 2019, the Green Finance Institute (GFI) is an independent advisor to governments and investors. It is at the forefront of shaping how finance can be used to facilitate a real economy transition, by designing, testing, and scaling financial solutions that enable capital to flow where it can deliver the greatest impact in the real economy.
The GFI delivers positive outcomes for climate and nature by aligning policy, capital and pipeline development. As a commercially focused philanthropic organisation working with governments and partnering with financial institutions, corporates, NGOs, policymakers, academics and civil society experts, the GFI has mobilised over £80bn in committed capital to date.
The GFI is headquartered in London and has a presence in eight countries including Belgium, Brazil, Denmark, Indonesia, the Philippines, Scotland, South Africa and Spain, and its missions work across the built environment, carbon dioxide removals, industrial decarbonisation, energy, transportation and nature.
About the GFI Transition Finance Lab
The GFI Transition Finance Lab (“GFI Lab”) is an exciting new programme that brings together public financial institutions, government, regulators, private capital and project sponsors to help unlock first-of-a-kind transactions for technologies that are critical to the clean energy and green industrial transition. In due course we plan to also explore nature-based solutions.
The GFI Lab focuses on practical, transaction-oriented problem solving. It works upstream of investment decisions to improve project origination, derisking and structuring, rather than allocating capital or funding directly. It provides sandbox-style support to design, test and refine financial structures, risk-sharing models and market mechanisms, while generating insights that can inform government policy. Its collaborative model is intended to enable faster execution, stronger cooperation and a more joined-up approach across public and private institutions.
The GFI Lab is delivered in partnership with DESNZ – and operates within a distinct governance structure comprising an Advisory Board, Sector Steering Group, GFI Lab Executive Team, Expert Group and individual project groups. The Advisory Board provides strategic oversight over the sectors and projects formally prioritised or resourced by the Lab.
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The role
A unique opportunity to build and lead one of the UK's most ambitious initiatives focused on unlocking investment into transition-critical projects, the Executive Director will lead the GFI Lab’s work with government, public finance institutions, regulators, industry and investors to address financing barriers facing transition-critical projects.
The role combines strategic leadership, stakeholder engagement and portfolio oversight, ensuring the GFI Lab delivers practical solutions that accelerate investment into first-of-a-kind and market-shaping projects. Reporting to the Chair and working closely with the Advisory Board, the Executive Director will shape the GFI Lab's strategic direction, oversee a portfolio of high-impact projects and build the partnerships required to drive lasting market impact.
Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
- Lead the delivery and evolution of the GFI Lab's strategy and mission.
- Translate agreed sector priorities into a high-impact portfolio of projects and initiatives.
- Provide strategic advice and recommendations to the Chair, Advisory Board and GFI Senior Leadership Team.
- Ensure the GFI Lab maintains a strong focus on practical outcomes, market development and system-wide impact.
Portfolio Development and Delivery
- Oversee the origination, selection and delivery of projects aligned with the GFI Lab's strategic priorities.
- Guide the development of innovative financing approaches that help unlock investment into transition-critical sectors.
- Ensure projects are effectively governed, appropriately resourced and delivered to a high standard.
- Capture and share insights that can support wider market development and inform policy.
Stakeholder and Market Leadership
- Build and maintain senior relationships across government, public finance institutions, regulators, investors, industry and advisory organisations.
- Convene influential stakeholders to address complex financing challenges and accelerate collaboration.
- Represent the GFI Lab externally and act as an ambassador for its mission and impact.
- Leverage the expertise and networks of the Advisory Board, Sector Steering Group and Expert Group.
Organisational Leadership and Governance
- Lead and develop a high-performing, collaborative team.
- Ensure the Lab operates to the highest standards of governance, risk management and integrity.
- Oversee the effective management of conflicts of interest, confidentiality and regulatory considerations.
- Contribute to the wider leadership and success of the Green Finance Institute.
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Essential Role Requirements
- Significant hands-on leadership experience in a financial institution (ideally investment banking), corporate or consultancy.
- Strong track record of originating and delivering complex projects, programmes or transactions.
- Familiarity with structured finance, catalytic capital, guarantees and other innovative financing mechanisms.
- Demonstrated ability to build partnerships, influence senior stakeholders and lead cross-sector collaboration.
- Strong commercial judgement and strategic thinking, with the ability to navigate complex financial, policy and market considerations.
- Proven experience leading multidisciplinary teams and delivering results through others.
- Excellent communication, relationship management and influencing skills, with credibility at board and executive level.
- Personal integrity, sound judgement and a strong commitment to accelerating the transition to a net-zero and nature-positive economy.
Desirable Role Requirements
- Experience in one or more transition-critical sectors, including energy, industrial decarbonisation, infrastructure, clean technology or nature.
- Experience operating at the intersection of government, public institutions and private capital.
- Knowledge of the UK clean energy and modern industrial policy landscape.
- An established senior network across relevant financial, public-sector and industry communities.
- Familiarity with the proportionate and responsible use of AI tools to improve productivity, analysis, research and communication while exercising appropriate professional judgement.
If this sounds like you:
To apply - please submit your CV and a short cover letter (of no more than two sides). Your cover letter should include details of:
- your relevant work / educational experience.
- how you meet the broader requirements of the role.
CVs without a cover letter will not be considered.
The closing date for applications is COB on Monday 14th September 2026. Please submit your application via the link on our website or via LinkedIn.
Please note:
If you do not already hold the right to work in the UK and/or require sponsorship in order to continue working here, you should think carefully before applying.
The Green Finance Institute is an equal opportunity employer and we value diversity. If you are invited to interview and need any reasonable adjustments during the interview process, please let us know.
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