About CarbonPlanCarbonPlan is a nonprofit research organization using science and data toaccelerate climate action.CarbonPlan’s highly interdisciplinary team analyzes the design andimplementation of climate programs across the public and private sectors,and builds open datasets, models, and interactive tools. Their work currentlyfocuses on carbon accounting and climate risks. In both areas, they aim toensure the scientific integrity and transparency of climate services andsolutions.Major priorities include:Research: They study fundamental climate science topics relevant to bothmitigation and adaptation, and analyze the implementation of climatesolutions to ensure that they align with scientific reality.Policy and Translation: They work with policymakers, nonprofits,governments, and corporations to ensure the development of robust climatesolutions, and they collaborate with journalists to raise public awareness andpromote accountability.Software: They build open resources and tools that highlight criticaldimensions of climate solutions with interactive data and visuals, andcontribute to high-leverage open science and open source ecosystems.To learn more about CarbonPlan, please visit: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://carbonplan.org">carbonplan.org</a>.The OpportunityCarbonPlan has built a reputation for producing rigorous, independent,openly accessible, and impactful work. It is now seeking an inspiring andproactive leader to shepherd the organization’s distinctive approach, ways ofworking, and commitment to quality. The new Executive Director will guidethe organization in defining its continued and evolving mission in a rapidlyshifting strategic and funding landscape, while building on the culture anddemonstrated impact that makes CarbonPlan exceptional.The Executive Director will inherit a respected organization and team with arare combination of qualities: mission-driven, intellectually rigorous, deeplycollaborative, and grounded in values of open science, integrity, and humility.The organization is in a strong financial position and has become a trustedvoice in the field, with flagship programs on climate risk, carbon offsets, andcarbon removal. The interdisciplinary team works across climate science,data, technology, and policy. Whoever takes this position will lead the teamthrough a period of strategic evolution, balancing continued excellence inexisting work with the development of new ideas, partnerships, andprograms.Key ResponsibilitiesStrategic Vision<ul><li>In collaboration with the team and with support from the Board,</li></ul>articulate and advance a clear, compelling vision for CarbonPlan’sevolving mission and strategy, identifying and prioritizing high-impactopportunities grounded in both emerging climate needs and theorganization’s unique capabilities.<ul><li>Translate broad ideas into actionable strategies that align team efforts</li></ul>and organizational resources.<ul><li>Navigate uncertainty in the climate and policy landscape with</li></ul>thoughtful, adaptive planning.<ul><li>Regularly evaluate the impact of CarbonPlan’s work to ensure alignment</li></ul>with the evolving climate landscape.Organizational Leadership<ul><li>Lead with humility, fostering a collaborative, low-ego, and intellectually</li></ul>rigorous culture.<ul><li>Create alignment and momentum while honoring CarbonPlan’s non-</li></ul>hierarchical, debate-driven decision-making approach.<ul><li>Support and build a high-performing interdisciplinary team by</li></ul>cultivating trust and professional growth.<ul><li>Navigate change thoughtfully during a leadership transition,</li></ul>maintaining stability while guiding evolution.<ul><li>Partner effectively with the Board, strengthening organizational</li></ul>governance and communication.<ul><li>Uphold and defend CarbonPlan’s values, even when it requires taking</li></ul>unpopular positions.Fundraising<ul><li>Lead fundraising strategy with a focus on sustaining and growing a</li></ul>diversified funding base, including individual donors and foundations.<ul><li>Build and steward relationships with funders, effectively</li></ul>communicating CarbonPlan’s work with clarity, credibility, andenthusiasm.<ul><li>Actively seek funding through existing and new donor networks, and</li></ul>identify new funding opportunities aligned with emergingprogrammatic directions.<ul><li>Partner with the team to connect technical work with potential funders.</li><li>Maintain integrity in funding decisions, ensuring independence and</li></ul>alignment with organizational values.Rigorous Research<ul><li>Serve as a credible thought partner to a highly technical team, engaging</li></ul>meaningfully across science, policy, and technology.<ul><li>Demonstrate strong critical thinking and the ability to assess what</li></ul>questions matter and why, and the quality of different solutions.<ul><li>Support the research process, balancing intellectual exploration with</li></ul>timelines and deliverables.<ul><li>Help translate complex scientific work into compelling narratives for</li></ul>funders, partners, and broader audiences.<ul><li>Champion and be committed to open science principles and the role of</li></ul>transparency in advancing climate solutions.Ideal CandidateCarbonPlan seeks a values-driven leader who thrives at the intersection ofideas, people, and impact. They will bring both vision and stewardship,someone who can honor what makes CarbonPlan special while guiding ittoward its next horizon of impact. Key skills and experience include:<ul><li>Strategic leadership experience, ideally guiding organizations,</li></ul>programs, or research initiatives through periods of growth ortransition.<ul><li>Experience leading and partnering with research or technical teams,</li></ul>with an appreciation for the nature and pace of scientific work.<ul><li>Strong intellectual curiosity and critical thinking, with the ability to</li></ul>quickly grasp complex scientific, technical, and policy concepts, and totranslate that knowledge into action.<ul><li>Demonstrated fundraising success, particularly in cultivating</li></ul>relationships with individual donors and foundations.<ul><li>A deep commitment to open science and transparency.</li><li>Exceptional interpersonal skills, with the ability to inspire, align, and</li></ul>engage a variety of stakeholders.<ul><li>Proactive, responsive, and clear written and oral communication skills</li></ul>to support an engaging and collaborative remote work environment.<ul><li>High emotional intelligence and humility, with a collaborative</li></ul>leadership style that empowers teams rather than directs them top-down.<ul><li>Deep experience in one or more of the following: climate,</li></ul>environmental work, public interest technology, and policy.<ul><li>Ability to bring new funder networks, new domain expertise, and new</li></ul>ideas to our existing team and work.<ul><li>Demonstrated capacity to lead people and teams across multiple</li></ul>workstreams, with ability to mediate disagreements and buildconsensus.CarbonPlan is an equal opportunity employer, and we are committed tobuilding an inclusive and diverse workplace. If you are interested in this role,we encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet every qualification exactlyas listed. All applications will be considered. And if you needaccommodations during the application process, please let us know.Compensation and BenefitsCarbonPlan is committed to providing competitive compensation andcomprehensive benefits to employees. They offer fixed salary levels based onexperience and role to minimize biases in compensation and to ensure teammembers are paid the same for doing the same work.This is a regular, full-time position, with an annual salary of $215,000. Inaddition to salary, they offer a comprehensive set of benefits to all full-timeemployees:<ul><li>Health insurance (99% of costs covered for employees, 75% for</li></ul>dependents)<ul><li>Dental insurance</li><li>Vision insurance</li><li>Flexible health spending accounts</li><li>Dependent care spending accounts</li><li>Life insurance</li><li>401(k) retirement fund with employer contribution</li><li>Generous paid time off policy</li><li>16 weeks paid parental leave</li><li>Remote work expense reimbursements</li></ul>CarbonPlan is a remote work environment. Candidates can be basedanywhere in the United States.To Be ConsideredPlease submit your resume and cover letter expressing your interest in theposition and fit for the role via the “Become a Candidate” button on<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.goodcitizen.com/executive-search/carbonplan-executive-director/">GoodCitizen’s website</a>.Applicants applying by May 29, 2026 will be given priority consideration, withthe position open until filled. First round interviews with the GoodCitizenteam will take place through early June. Three rounds of interviews with theCarbonPlan team will take place from mid-June through late July. We hope tomake an offer in early August.GoodCitizen has been exclusively retained by CarbonPlan to lead this search.

CarbonPlan is a nonprofit working on data and science for climate action. We aim to ensure the quality, scientific integrity, and transparency of climate solutions. We analyze solutions based on the best available science and data, and build open source tools and data products. We work directly with decision makers across the public and private sector to help them achieve ambitious climate goals.

Executive Director

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CarbonPlan

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