ClientEarth is seeking a strategic legal professional to lead our work on transforming financial and economic systems across Europe. As Head of Financial and Economic Systems, you’ll guide a team of 23 legal experts and 4 team leads working across financial regulation, trade, corporate governance, and related fields.

This role is about impact—using legal tools to drive change that benefits people and the planet. You will set priorities, shape legal strategies, and support our team leads in delivering work that holds governments and markets to account.

We’re looking for someone with deep expertise in financial or economic law, a talent for leadership, and a commitment to systemic change. You’ll help steer our European work while contributing to our global mission through close collaboration with colleagues worldwide.

Meet your Manager

Anna Heslop recently took up the position of Director of Programmes of Europe. Anna was previously a Clean Air Lawyer in our London office and, until 2022, our Head of Wildlife and Habitats. In addition to her work at ClientEarth, Anna has held many environmental law roles, including at BirdLife International's UK partner (the RSPB), the Nature Portfolio Director at the Foundaton for International Law for the Environment (FILE), and a desk officer at the European Commission. Anna is based in Brussels.

Main Duties

• Co-creates Regional Programme Strategy
• Regional Programme Delivery 
• Impact & Learning 
• People Leadership
• Financial Leadership
• External Leadership & Partnerships

See the job description (below) for a full list of duties for this role.

Role requirements

• Law degree or other legal qualification
• Substantial strategic leadership and senior management experience which includes people, financial and multiple project management
• Substantial and demonstrable experience and working knowledge of financial and economic systems in Europe, strong knowledge of the local political and cultural context in one or more countries in the region
• Strong commitment and understanding of environmental issues, and a demonstrated track record in driving positive change for the environment

See the job description (below) for a full list of requirements for this role.

Note to candidates: We know that long lists of criteria can be daunting and that some candidates will not apply for a role unless they feel they are 100% qualified. If you feel you meet at least some of the essential criteria, we still encourage you to apply.

Further Information

Have a question about this job? Please visit our Careers site for advice on applying, FAQs, and more.

Flexible working:  We are proud to be a Flexa accredited Employer. Visit our Flexa Employer page for more information on our approach to flexible working. Our flexible working policy allows our people the choice to decide to work from home/another location in the country where their contract of employment is issued for 80% of their month, with the other 20% of their month being office-based  See our Benefits page for more as well as our flexible working FAQ.

ClientEarth values diversity and inclusion and the benefits this brings. We aim to appoint the most suitable candidate at all times and welcome applications from people from all different backgrounds. See our equity, diversity and inclusion journey page for more.

Please note that ClientEarth is only able to employ those who have the pre-existing legal right to work in the UK or Belgium.

ClientEarth is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice or legal services to third parties