Lead EU Buildings Decarbonisation (f/m/d)

Buildings are responsible for 40% of energy consumption and 36% of greenhouse gas emissions in the EU. Decarbonising buildings is therefore an essential task for Europe to reach its climate target. At the core of that ambition lies the electrification of heating, which also offers the opportunity of strengthening domestic clean tech industry.  However, social and political sensitivities make decarbonising buildings particularly challenging, resulting in regulatory gaps and the sector clearly lagging behind policy ambitions. 
Therefore, the next few years will be critical to bring the EU buildings decarbonisation on track. The implementation of the ETS 2 and the Social Climate Fund as well as ambitious implementation of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) will be crucial to establish an effective and socially balanced policy framework for clean heating. Moreover, discussing new policy instruments such as Clean Heat Standards will be indispensable for aligning this policy framework with the EU’s long-term climate and energy targets. Upcoming initiatives provide an opportunity for bringing the topic on the EU’s policy agenda. The revision of the Heating and Cooling Strategy and the Electrification Action Plan will be critical occasions to stress the relevance of buildings decarbonisation and to call for new policy instruments. Moreover, ongoing discussions under the Clean Industrial Deal are a key moment for underlining the importance of ambitious building decarbonisation for the competitiveness of Europe’s clean tech value chains.
Under the umbrella of the Agora Think Tanks, Agora Energiewende develops politically feasible and science-based strategies and solutions for the transformation to climate neutrality – in Germany, Europe, and internationally. As a think tank and policy lab we facilitate a productive exchange of ideas amongst stakeholders from politics, business, science and civil society. As a non-partisan, non-profit organisation funded by foundations and public institutions, we are independent of corporate and partisan interests. Our exclusive mission is to serve the climate and the common good.
 
To strengthen our team, we are looking for a
Lead EU Buildings Decarbonisation (f/m/d)
Full- or part-time (min. 30 hours)– based in Brussels

As Lead EU Buildings Decarbonisation you will be part of Agora’s EU team and responsible for work on EU buildings decarbonisation, with a particular focus on thought leadership targeting key policymaking processes at the EU level.

• A proven track record and expertise in EU policies on buildings and heating in particular relating to the ETS 2 and the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive.;
• Solid knowledge of the heating and cooling sector, as well as energy retail markets.
• Experience working on national policies on buildings and heating, as well as social and housing policies, is a plus. 
• Demonstrated experience of working with policy makers at senior level and engaging with multiple stakeholders;
• Strong networking skills and the ability to navigate in a complex environment of EU institutions, industry associations, stakeholder groups and media;
• A creative mind, capable of developing new ideas and proposals with a view to having impact;
• A result-oriented mind, able to design and steer complex analytic research projects until delivery and guide consultants;
• Demonstrated leadership and management skills;
• Outstanding communication skills, both verbal and written; track-record in writing high quality documents;
• Full command of the English language in reading and writing; active knowledge of German and other European languages is a plus;
• A Master’s degree in economics, finance, business, political science or similar, and at least 8 years of relevant work experience;
• Willingness to regularly travel to Berlin/Brussels and other European capitals.

 
We assume that there are excellent candidates for the job who do not meet all the criteria in the description. Maybe you have certain skills we haven’t thought of yet? Tell us why you are the right person for the job.

We look forward to receiving your application by 20 July 2025 via our website.

For reasons of objectivity, we ask that you refrain from submitting an application photo.
We want an energy transition for everyone from everyone. Therefore, we are particularly pleased to receive applications from people from groups that have been underrepresented in energy policy so far. We welcome applications regardless of gender and gender identity, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability and age, and sexual orientation. Our offices are not completely barrier-free, but we are open to find individual solutions.
As part of this, we are soliciting anonymous information on a voluntary basis regarding our applicant’s backgrounds. This information will be used only to inform future recruitment strategies and will not impact hiring decisions in any form. Your input will not be forwarded to third parties and will not be used in connection with your application.

Please follow this link to participate in the survey.
https://limes.sefep.eu/index.php/833735?lang=en

If you have any questions, please contact Sandy Rosenhauer at [email protected].