Programme Director – India (Ammonia & Industrial Decarbonisation)

Location: New Delhi, India
Contract: 12-month fixed-term contract via Employer of Record (EoR), with the intention for permanent employment as Systemiq expands further in region

Our Energy Platform designs and implements corporate and country decarbonisation strategies, promotes emerging clean technologies and green technology clusters, and supports the global energy transition at speed and scale. With a growing footprint in India, we are working at the forefront of one of the world's most consequential energy transitions.

With around 300 people across offices in London, Amsterdam, Berlin, Jakarta, Paris, São Paulo and New York, we are a diverse, mission-driven team united by a shared conviction to accelerate the transition to a sustainable global economy.

Role Overview

Systemiq is seeking an entrepreneurial and execution-focused Programme Director to lead and shape a flagship initiative aimed at catalysing India’s first wave of low-emissions ammonia investment and accelerating the decarbonisation of the fertiliser sector.

This role sits at the intersection of programme delivery and market development. The successful candidate will not only lead a complex, multi-stakeholder initiative but also use it as a platform to build relationships, originate new opportunities, and contribute to establishing Systemiq’s long-term presence in India.

Working closely with Systemiq’s global teams and local partners (including CEEW), the Programme Director will act as the on-the-ground hub for delivery, stakeholder engagement, and market shaping across government, industry, and finance.

This is a high-autonomy role suited to candidates who are comfortable operating in ambiguity, building from first principles, and taking ownership of both execution and growth.

Key Responsibilities

Programme Leadership & Delivery

• Lead the design and delivery of a multi-year initiative focused on low-emissions ammonia and fertiliser sector decarbonisation in India
• Define programme strategy, workplans, milestones, and analytical approach
• Oversee high-quality analytical outputs, including techno-economic assessments and investment cases
• Ensure delivery against impact objectives, timelines, and stakeholder expectations

Market Development & Business Origination

• Identify, shape, and originate follow-on opportunities linked to the programme
• Build and maintain a pipeline of potential engagements across industry, finance, and policy stakeholders
• Convert relationships and insights into funded programmes, partnerships, or commercial work

Stakeholder & Coalition Leadership

• Build and manage senior relationships across government ministries, fertiliser producers, project developers, and financial institutions
• Design and lead coalition structures, including defining vision, governance, and engagement models
• Represent Systemiq externally in high-level forums, discussions, and partnerships

Team Leadership

• Manage and develop a small, high-performing team, including 1–2 Systemiq staff (potentially rotating or relocating to India) and a locally hired Associate
• Set clear priorities, provide coaching, and ensure high standards of delivery across the team
• Contribute to hiring and onboarding of additional India-based team members as the platform scales

India Platform Development

• Work in close partnership with Systemiq leadership to shape and scale the organisation’s presence in India
• Provide on-the-ground insight into market dynamics, opportunities, and risks
• Contribute to longer-term strategy, team build-out, and positioning in the region

Essential Experience

• 10+ years of experience in strategy consulting, energy, climate, infrastructure, or related sectors
• Strong track record of leading complex programmes or workstreams in high-performance environments
• Demonstrated experience engaging and influencing senior stakeholders across government, industry, or finance
• Proven ability to originate and develop opportunities into funded work, partnerships, or programmes
• Deep understanding of energy systems, industrial decarbonisation, or adjacent sectors
• Experience applying AI tools to research, synthesis, and insight generation

Core Capabilities

• Strong problem-solving and analytical thinking, with the ability to connect detailed analysis to system-level insights
• High level of ownership and comfort operating in ambiguous, fast-evolving environments
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to influence senior audiences
• Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution
• Experience leading and developing high-performing teams

Additional Experience

• Deep, hands-on experience working in India’s energy, industrial, or policy landscape, with a strong local network across government, industry, and/or finance
• Exposure to fertiliser, ammonia, hydrogen, or broader power-to-x value chains
• Experience working across public, private, and non-profit sectors
• Familiarity with market-based mechanisms and climate finance structures

What This Role Offers

• Opportunity to lead a high-impact initiative critical to India’s energy transition and food system resilience
• A central role in shaping Systemiq’s long-term presence in one of the world’s most important transition markets
• Direct exposure to senior policymakers, industry leaders, and financial institutions
• Significant scope for career growth, including potential to shape future team and leadership structure in India
• A collaborative, mission-driven environment with global reach via our diverse programmes, offices and relationships around the world