Vice President Business Development

Climate Central is seeking a Vice President for Business Development to lead and expand its commercial revenue efforts. The role involves building a Business Development function based on trusted climate science and data products. The VP will work closely with the executive team to forge client relationships and develop strategies for market opportunities, contributing to the organization's mission of promoting public understanding of climate change.
Position: Vice President for Business Development About Climate CentralClimate Central is an independent group of scientists and communicators who translate climate science into powerful localized stories that drive understanding and action. As a policy‑neutral nonprofit, we combine rigorous science, big data, and compelling visuals with a vast network of trusted messengers and channels that reach millions every week.Day to day, our scientists, technology experts, and communications professionals work together to spotlight the local effects of climate change across the US and globally. We conduct scientific research, identify patterns, compile solutions, and package information in ways that help people understand how a heating planet is affecting them here and now.The direct products of this teamwork include ambitious new datasets, research reports, web‑based tools, eye‑catching graphics, and newsworthy stories – all designed to bring home the impacts of climate change. Millions of online users have downloaded hundreds of thousands of our digital assets.Our strategy is designed to reach more people more often and with more impact, which is the key to fulfilling our main objectives: To inform and build public will for effective responses to climate change and to inform and empower decision‑makers to act now. Our ultimate goal is a safer and healthier climate for all.Our work is underpinned by distinctive, cutting‑edge climate science and related products, such as Coastal DEM, Climate Shift Index, and Billion Dollar Disasters. As well as promoting public understanding of climate risk, some of these assets have attracted commercial users from sectors such as real estate and finance, who pay Climate Central fees to use our products and license our data in line with our goals and values.In 2025, Climate Central’s Board took a strategic decision to grow these commercial revenues in order to diversify our funding sources and support our broader mission. In the second half of 2025, we identified priority market opportunities to support this growth. In the first half of 2026, we plan to develop go‑to‑market plans and to put in place core systems and processes to support a robust Business Development function.Why Join Climate Central NowClimate Central has reached an inflection point: its data products are trusted globally, market demand for climate risk intelligence is accelerating, and leadership is intentionally investing in earned revenue as a pillar of long‑term resilience. The VP for Business Development will not be inheriting a legacy commercial structure – they will be building it. For the right leader, this represents both a career‑defining opportunity and a chance to apply commercial expertise in service of meaningful global impact.About the RoleClimate Central seeks an inaugural Vice President for Business Development to lead and scale our Business Development function, building on the organization’s trusted climate science, data products, and public‑impact mission. Reporting to the Chief of Staff, the VP for Business Development will enjoy:Strong ownership in driving commercial revenues, forging client and partner relationships, and building our Business Development infrastructure and teamRobust support from the executive team and Board in pursuit of these objectives, including hands‑on involvement in sales and negotiations, and a willingness to invest in recruitment, technical developer time, marketing and consultancy support where neededExceptional growth opportunities in building and scaling the functionPurpose, working to support a mission‑driven organization, with attractive terms for paid leave and flexible remote‑working conditions.The ideal candidate is drawn to mission‑driven work with a global public impact, brings the commercial rigor, judgment, and leadership required to translate trusted climate science into sustainable, mission‑aligned revenue, and the entrepreneurial flair to drive growth.Key Responsibilities Drive Commercial RevenuesLead outbound business development and sales efforts, including pipeline development, deal structuring, and close.Build and manage strategic partnerships and channel relationships,…