Climate Action Lead - 12 Month Fixed Term Contract

Snapshot

The Google DeepMind Institute (GDI) has a unique role in Google DeepMind (GDM), to develop solutions and resources built on GDM's technologies and expertise that extend the benefits to humanity. We are a path to real world impact, beyond ABC products and services or making our research public.

About us

Artificial Intelligence could be one of humanity’s most useful inventions. At Google DeepMind, we’re a team of scientists, engineers, machine learning experts and more, working together to advance the state of the art in artificial intelligence. We use our technologies for widespread public benefit and scientific discovery, and collaborate with others on critical challenges, ensuring safety and ethics are the highest priority.

The role

This is a 12 month Fixed Term role. 

Working in partnership with GDI’s Leadership Team and the Climate & Environment Pillar Lead, you will direct, organise and oversee the GDI Climate Action Portfolio (which includes climate science, mitigation, and adaptation applications). You will also help shape the broader Climate & Environment and GDI strategies.

Key responsibilities

• Lead cross-functional team of research scientists, engineers, program managers, partnership specialists, and domain experts within GDI focused on climate science, mitigation, and adaptation applications. 
• Deliver GDI’s Climate Action Portfolio, including objectives, key results, and impact stories.
• Partner with a Program Manager to lead a strong, inclusive team environment that fosters the delivery of extraordinary pioneering and mission focussed work.  
• Partner with senior leadership within the GDI team and across GDM to define and drive strategic priorities, ensuring the team can effectively deliver these.
• Scope, prototype and launch products and programs incorporating research improvements and ideas from collaborators and partners, and build and handle external product/deployment partnerships. 
• Work alongside research, engineering and partnership teams to identify and define opportunities to use GDM technology to solve real-world problems. Work closely with them to figure out best approach and execution plans for prioritised ideas. 
• Define metrics and achievements to accelerate discovery, evaluate the success of products/programs against their aims, goals and objectives, and share lessons and insights across the wider business.
• Build relationships and collaborate with multiple leaders internally - particularly across our Research Spheres - and externally.
• Model and secure the resources the team needs, including headcount and budget, working closely with the team, Program Manager, Pillar Lead, and GDI Leadership to optimise and manage it.

The role will suit candidates who enjoy applying innovative AI to important scientific and real-world problems for maximum impact for the wider community.

About you

In order to set you up for success as the Climate Action Portfolio Lead in GDI,  we look for the following skills and experience:

• Demonstrable experience and knowledge of managing large programs and products relating to climate action. Supporting teams to drive large scale applications from inception to delivery in a fast paced and dynamic environment.
• A strong understanding of the areas related to climate action (climate science, mitigation, and adaptation), including the challenges they face and the opportunities to address these through AI. 
• Experience launching a scientific product and/or open-source product with cross-functional teams.
• Management experience and a proven ability to collaborate with a variety of teams and partners.
• Outstanding communication skills and ability to work with both tech and non-tech teams and senior leadership. 

In addition, the following would be an advantage: 

• Work experience or academic background in science, climate change, sustainable development, or the nonprofit/charitable sector.
• Demonstrable understanding of how to successfully work with, advocate for and develop talented people from a wide variety of backgrounds.
• Experience launching products in the global South.

Application deadline: Friday 8th August, 2025 - 6pm BST  

Note: In the event your application is successful and an offer of employment is made to you, any offer of employment will be conditional on the results of a background check, performed by a third party acting on our behalf. For more information on how we handle your data, please see our Applicant and Candidate Privacy Policy.

At Google DeepMind, we value diversity of experience, knowledge, backgrounds and perspectives and harness these qualities to create extraordinary impact. We are committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of sex, race, religion or belief, ethnic or national origin, disability, age, citizenship, marital, domestic or civil partnership status, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, or related condition (including breastfeeding) or any other basis as protected by applicable law. If you have a disability or additional need that requires accommodation, please do not hesitate to let us know.