Head of Primary Sourcing

ABOUT US

Climate Impact Partners delivers solutions for climate action. We are carbon market specialists and a go-to partner for every stage of the net zero journey.

With over 25 years of industry experience and fuelled by a relentless drive for rapid action and results, we have made it our mission to urgently ensure a thriving future for all life on earth.

We do this by providing an end-to-end service that delivers high-quality, thoroughly vetted climate projects which reduce carbon emissions, improve health and livelihoods, and enhance biodiversity.

Together with our clients and project partners we have been responsible for the reduction or removal of more than 144 million tCO2e.

What sets us apart:

· Boundless, urgent ambition. We are accountable, relentless, resilient.

· Courage to innovate. We are courageous, creative, curious.

· Integrity without compromise. We are trustworthy, credible, committed.

· Empowered to serve. We are respectful, inclusive, collaborative.

THE ROLE

We are seeking a strategically minded and commercially driven Head of Primary Sourcing to lead our global efforts in carbon project prospecting, procurement, and developer relationship management. This individual will be responsible for building and managing a best-in-class sourcing team and function that delivers a high-quality, diverse, and future-fit supply pipeline aligned to our commercial strategy and client demand. 

You will manage a global team of Regional Sourcing Leaders, lead key supply-side strategies, and represent Climate Impact Partners with project developers and ecosystem partners. This is a critical leadership role, central to how we grow long-term access to high-quality supply, enhance developer relationships, and structure deals that are aligned with our impact, integrity, and commercial goals. 

You will work in close partnership with teams across the business – including Portfolio Management, Technical Due Diligence, Legal, Fulfilment, and Client Solutions – to ensure that new supply is high-integrity, well-positioned in our portfolio, and aligned to evolving client and market needs.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Primary Sourcing Strategy and Leadership:

• Lead our global primary sourcing function, setting clear priorities and strategy to ensure a high-quality, commercially viable, and diverse project pipeline across all major technology types (Nature-Based Solutions, Health & Livelihoods, Sustainable Infrastructure, Tech CDR).
• Own Primary Sourcing KPIs including delivery of our FY26 pipeline and development of a robust long-term supply pipeline aligned with our client needs and commercial strategy.
• Oversee regional sourcing team, providing strategic guidance, coaching, and support to enable strong, consistent delivery across geographies.
• Ensure strong alignment with Portfolio Management, Portfolio Quality, and Technical Due Diligence teams to ensure new supply fits portfolio needs and market expectations.

S upplier Engagement and Deal Structuring:

• Own prospecting and deal negotiation with new and existing project developers, with a focus on securing long-term, high-integrity supply.
• Build and deepen strategic supplier relationships through effective engagement, commercial partnership, and delivery support.
• Launch and oversee a Strategic Account Management approach with the supply base, positioning CIP as a trusted partner across delivery, technical, and marketing dimensions.
• Structure and negotiate offtake agreements, in close collaboration with Legal, Pricing, and Portfolio Management, ensuring commercial rigour and alignment with internal quality standards.
• Help define and deliver added value to project developers beyond credit purchases, building long-term partnerships and industry leadership.

Market and Technical Insight:

• Stay attuned to global carbon market developments and opportunities, including pricing trends, new methodologies, emerging tech types, and adjacent regulatory or compliance schemes (e.g., Article 6, CORSIA, Singapore carbon tax).
• Build market presence through external engagement, participation in industry forums, and proactive relationship-building with project developers and ecosystem players.
• Provide regular insights and market intelligence to inform sourcing decisions and company strategy.
• Support internal education and communication to ensure the wider team is well-versed on supply-side trends and project opportunities.

Operational Oversight:

• Work closely with Portfolio Management, Sales, Legal, Pricing, Fulfilment, and Technical Due Diligence to develop high-integrity carbon portfolios for clients.
• Monitor and assess supplier and project performance, managing risk and identifying improvement opportunities.
• Contribute to internal reporting, portfolio performance reviews, and supply-side planning processes.
• Continuously improve sourcing processes, identifying operational efficiencies, technology solutions, and scalable practices.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

As a senior leader within the Global Supply Chain team, the Head of Primary Sourcing will be responsible for setting direction, building capability, and driving performance across the Primary Sourcing team. In addition to core functional responsibilities, the Head of Primary Sourcing will lead on the following areas of team and organisational leadership:

Leadership Capabilities

• Build and shape high-performing teams, including team design, recruitment, and capability development, ensuring the right mix of technical expertise, commercial insight, and collaborative spirit.
• Coach and empower direct reports, creating a culture of ownership, accountability, and continuous learning the Primary Sourcing team.
• Drive prioritisation and resource planning, balancing strategic ambition with clear focus, effective delegation, and efficient delivery across a dynamic, cross-functional workload.
• Lead through change and ambiguity, demonstrating resilience, adaptability, and clarity in a fast-evolving market and organisational context.
• Foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement, identifying and embedding scalable processes, tools, and systems that enhance effectiveness and responsiveness.
• Communicate with clarity and purpose, tailoring complex messages for different audiences and ensuring transparency across teams and stakeholders.
• Model our values of ambition, integrity, innovation, and service, leading by example and helping others connect their work to our broader mission and impact.

Skills & Experience

• Proven senior leadership experience in primary sourcing or carbon markets, with a strong track record of securing high-integrity supply partnerships.
• Deep understanding of carbon project types, methodologies, and quality frameworks.
• Demonstrated ability to structure and negotiate commercial agreements in complex, multi-stakeholder environments.
• Skilled at building trust-based supplier relationships and representing an organisation externally.
• Strong understanding of global carbon market dynamics, pricing trends, regulatory shifts, and technical developments.
• Demonstrated leadership in developing high-performing teams – with a focus on coaching, growing expertise, and creating a culture of ownership and accountability.
• A proactive, structured, and outcomes-driven mindset, with excellent communication skills and the ability to influence at senior levels.
• Passion for driving climate impact and working at the intersection of business, sustainability, and innovation.

PERKS 

• Hybrid working
• 25 days paid holiday
• Private Health Insurance (we've teamed up with Vitality to offer you a wide range of perks, including free coffees, travel deals, and gym discounts)
• Enhanced Pension Scheme
• Bonus Scheme (subject to company and individual performance)
• Enhanced Parental Leave
• Green Commute Bike Scheme
• LinkedIn Learning License & Professional Training Budgets
• Summer Fridays (start your weekend early if you've finished everything on your to-do list)
• Working from Abroad (up to 4 weeks a year)
• Global Volunteering Day
• Modern, state of the art office in Paddington, London, which is dog friendly and includes showers, a mother's feeding room, a wellness room and barista coffee bar.

Climate Impact Partners is an equal opportunities employer. Our goal is to be a diverse and inclusive workforce, that embraces our differences, and so all aspects of employment including the decision to hire and promote, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business need. We do not discriminate on the basis of characteristics protected under federal, state, or local law. To support this, all applications are anonymised until the interview stage which means that regardless of who has applied, your characteristics are totally anonymous.