About PIE

The Pooled fund on International Energy (PIE) is an international grant making and strategy platform with a mission to secure a safe climate, clean air and prosperity through a just transition in the power and steel sectors.

We work with charitable foundations and regional climate foundations to support a diverse set of research institutions, think tanks and civil society organisations working with governments, business and other parts of society all over the world. We back local organisations and international partners to overcome the barriers to clean energy and steel.

PIE was formed in 2013 as a platform of the European Climate Foundation (ECF). PIE is comprised of a small and dedicated international team of exceptional people based around the world. We seek to operate in accordance with a core set of values: Empowering and Caring Team, Bold Action with Urgency, Collaboration for Real World Impact, Resilient Partner with Climate Ecosystem, and Evidence-Based Decision-Making. More information available at: www.pieclimate.org

About The Role

The Director of People & Culture will lead the creation and implementation of PIE's Human Resources function as the organisation plans to spin off from the European Climate Foundation, and grow from approximately 45 to 60 team members. This is a senior, handson leadership role focused on building a modern and peoplecentred HR function for a globally distributed philanthropic organisation. The Director of People & Culture will serve as PIE's most senior people leader and trusted advisor to leadership and staff. This role reports to the Director of Operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as Strategic People & Culture Leader
• Set and steward PIE's overall People & Culture strategy, ensuring alignment with the organisation's mission, values, and global operating model.
• Act as a trusted advisor to the leadership team on organisational design, workforce planning, leadership effectiveness, and organisational health.
• Champion equity, fairness, transparency, and inclusion across all people practices.
• Anticipate and proactively address peoplerelated risks and opportunities as PIE evolves.
• Ensure people considerations are embedded in organisational decisionmaking and change initiatives.
• Build HR Function, Operating Model & Team
• Evolve the current HR function and operating model to be fitforpurpose for PIE, as PIE spins off from its host organisation.
• Build and lead a small People & Culture team over time, including an HR Senior Associate, and coordinate external consultants as needed.
• Adapt, establish and maintain clear, efficient, and proportionate HR policies, processes, and tools that support both compliance and a hightrust culture.
• Ensure the capture, management, and use of highquality people data to support organisational planning and decisionmaking.
• Develop key people metrics and insights (quantitative and qualitative) to inform leadership discussions, resource allocation, and continuous improvement.
• Set and Manage Global Employment Approach
• Define and oversee PIE's global employment model, including strategic management of Employer of Record (EoR) arrangements.
• Manage relationships with external HR, legal, payroll, and benefits partners, ensuring quality, compliance, and value for money.
• Ensure employment practices remain compliant across jurisdictions while minimising complexity for team members and managers.
• Regularly review and adapt the global employment approach as organisational needs and geographies evolve.
• Ensure Clear and Equitable Organisational Levels & Rewards
• Ensure PIE has clear, fair, and transparent organisational levels and competencies that are consistently applied across roles, teams, and geographies.
• Oversee the ongoing use and refinement of levels and competencies so that:
• Team members understand expectations at each level
• Progression criteria are explicit and equitable
• Managers are equipped to support development and progression conversations
• Ensure rewards frameworks (including compensation and benefits, supported by internal and external expertise) align with organisational values and support retention, fairness, and sustainability.
• Regularly review frameworks to ensure they remain fit for purpose and well understood.
• Serve as Trusted People Partner
• Act as a trusted, accessible people partner for team members.
• Oversee sensitive people matters with sound judgment, discretion, and consistency.
• Foster a positive employee experience that reflects PIE's values and supports individual growth, collaboration, and impact.
  
  

Experience And Competencies

Experience:

• Minimum 10 years in HR leadership roles, ideally in international, multi-jurisdictional organizations.
• Proven track record of setting up HR operating models for globally distributed teams.
• Strong knowledge of HR best practices in nonprofits, philanthropy, and/or global organizations.
• Senior HR qualification or professional membership (e.g. SHRM, CIPD or national HR association, or equivalent experience.)
  
  

Skills:

• Strategic thinking with hands-on execution capability
• Change management and stakeholder engagement
• Familiarity with Employee of Record and global employment models
• Tech-savvy with HR systems, data, and digital tools
  
  

Attributes:

• Collaborative, solutions-oriented, culturally sensitive
• Committed to equity and inclusion
• Able to thrive in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
  
  

What We Offer

• A unique opportunity to work as part of a highly dynamic international team that combines passion for making a difference with a rigorous approach to work.
• Access to an extensive network of close partners with technical expertise, strong international and local change-making experience, and deep knowledge of grantmaking and strategy development.
• A highly flexible, self-managed approach to day-to-day work arrangements.
• An attractive salary at general market rates, cell phone and subscription, laptop.
• Contract type: Permanent contract
  
  

Location

Europe or South Africa; must be able to work within 2 hours of CET timezone and travel to Europe periodically.

Start Date

As soon as possible.

How To Apply

The deadline for applications is May 13, 2026, by 17:00CEST

Applicants are encouraged to upload their CV and motivation letter as one combined document.