Deputy Programme Director

Salary: £70,236 - £77,004 ((We normally offer a starting salary at the start of the range)

Full-time: (37.5h) / Permanent

Location: Islington, London

Closing Date: 05 July 2026

Greenpeace UK is an independent national/regional organisation within the global Greenpeace campaigning network, which acts to change attitudes and behaviour, to protect and conserve the environment and to promote peace. The global network of Greenpeace organisations comprises 26 independent national/regional Greenpeace organisations with presence in over 55 countries across Europe, Africa, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific, as well as a coordinating and supporting organisation, Greenpeace International.

We’re in a crucial decade for slowing, even reversing, the climate and nature crises in a way that improves the lives of people – particularly those on the frontline who have contributed the least. Effective Greenpeace strategies and campaigns are an essential contribution to a movement of actors taking action. This role will be responsible for making sure our campaigns meet the moment.

We’re looking for an experienced campaigner and communicator to join our programme leadership team. A seasoned strategic thinker and operator, you’ll have extensive experience in developing and delivering campaigns that shift power and drive change in volatile and interconnected systems. You’ll have experience working across a range of strategies and tactics – know how to mix insider lobbying with outsider mass engagement and organising, as adept at fronting up to entrenched power, as building new with allies and grassroots actors, and of course with an understanding of, and passion for, the kind of bold and creative actions that are core to the Greenpeace DNA.

As a member of the Programme Leadership Team, you’ll deploy your expertise in setting the overarching strategic framework for the department, based on rigorous situational and power analyses and an assessment of our unique role in the movement. Then you’ll provide leadership, coaching, challenge and oversight to our campaigners as they develop effective campaigns within that framework, spotting opportunities within a fast evolving political, social and cultural landscape and delivering measurable real-world impact.

Greenpeace has some of the best campaigners, communicators and creators in the business, but in a context of culture wars, polarisation and global instability, we can’t afford to do what we’ve always done. We need to be best in class when it comes to new ways of working, creativity, innovation and constant evaluation and evolution.

As a leader in our organisation, you’ll also play a role in promoting an inclusive, supportive and effective environment that embodies our values; working with global colleagues on global campaigns; and taking on leadership of special projects as and when required. You’ll also support your direct reports to model and uphold strong and supportive management standards.

Greenpeace campaigns across a wide diversity of areas – we don’t expect you to be a subject expert, but we do want to see evidence of your ability to effectively marshal resources to drive change, and a deep passion for applying those skills in service of the climate and nature crises.

Joining an ambitious and values-driven team, you will play a critical role in enabling the organisation to deliver its mission.

Leadership and Professional Skills

• Proven track record of success in a campaigning environment and demonstrable ability to develop and deliver campaigns and tactics that capture the public imagination, land new narratives and shift power.

• Skilled at working with a wide range of stakeholders to develop insight-led strategies, and at planning and delivering multi-strand projects that achieve strategic goals.

• Demonstrable understanding of effective communications strategies that turn complex campaigns into engaging messages across diverse platforms for a range of audiences, with a strong grasp of both traditional and digital communications and their application within a campaigning organisation.

• An understanding of, and passion for, the role of non-violent direct action within campaign strategies.

• Experience of delivering creative campaign interventions that catch the public imagination and/or land new narrative (creative NVDA, engaging storytelling content etc).

• Willingness to (experience an advantage) work cross-departmentally, particularly with fundraising teams, on co-owned objectives in a collaborative and mutually supportive way.

• Global mindedness and a passion for international collaboration and cross-cultural working.

• Proven ability to communicate clearly and diplomatically in face to face meetings, during disagreements and in difficult circumstances.

• Ability and proven experience to communicate clearly and diplomatically in face to face meetings, during disagreements and in difficult circumstances.

• Proven ability to manage large budgets.

People Management

• Understanding of and strong support for diversity, inclusion, equal opportunities and dignity in the workplace in all dealings with and management of staff, when recruiting, and when representing Greenpeace UK internally or Greenpeace externally.

• Substantial experience of successfully leading and managing staff and their work performance.

• Experience of managing multiple teams and ensuring effective communication between them and a wider organisation.

• Proven track record in managing multiple project teams.

• Ability to inspire others, particularly in creative risk-taking and innovation.

Senior Management

• Ability to take on the significant responsibilities of a senior leader and to provide be able to contribute as appropriate to achieve positive and decisive leadership, including deputising for the Programme Director as needed.

• Ability to analyse information and put forward challenging ideas which will contribute to Greenpeace long term strategy.

• Ability to contribute to and support decisions taken by the Executive Directors, other Directors and the UK Board, including those which may be unpopular.

Personal Qualities

• A constructive disruptor who challenges the status quo and isn’t satisfied with simply accepting what has been done in the past. You’ll be able to identify the need for change, articulate a compelling vision and guide people to deliver it through culture change and upskilling.

• Someone who can think strategically, create structure out of ambiguity, and deliver on a strategy through motivating and influencing the people around them.

• A commitment to Greenpeace’s global values of creative peaceful confrontation, direct action, non-violence, internationalism, inclusivity and independence. A determination to deliver on our mission of tackling the climate crisis and restoring biodiversity in a fair and equitable way.

• Experience of championing and role modelling values and holding yourself and others accountable to create a positive shared culture.

• A commitment to diversity, inclusion and anti-racism is essential. Willingness to continually learn and develop greater sensitivity to and awareness of social and cultural differences, particularly in relation to protected characteristics, and how to work positively and inclusively in a multicultural and socially diverse environment.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

• Ability to act quickly and decisively as necessary and to adapt to a fast-changing environment.

• Effective and positive team-player with a preference for collaboration.

• Ability and willingness to travel overseas for short periods (two or three times per year).

• Willingness to work occasional unsocial hours as required.

We are partnering with Oxford HR on the recruitment of this role. All applications must be processed through them. Please click here for more information and guidance on how to apply.