Data Ops Team Lead
About this role
About Equitable Earth
At Equitable Earth, we're on a mission to help protect and restore 1% of the natural world by 2030. We’ve built a rigorous, technology-enabled standard to certify conservation and restoration projects, ensuring they deliver lasting impact: strengthening livelihoods, safeguarding biodiversity, and supporting a stable climate. We're a diverse, mission-driven group from over 10 nationalities, working collaboratively and remotely across continents.
About the role
We're looking for a Data Ops Team Lead to join Equitable Earth's Data team and take ownership of the operational backbone of our certification delivery.
Reporting to the Director of Engineering, you'll lead our Ops sub-team - one Forest Engineer and two Geodata Analysts, coordinating day-to-day delivery and acting as the main point of contact for our Certification and External Relations teams.
You'll also build efficient workflows, improve team processes and drive the operationalisation of our carbon certification methodologies in collaboration with Data Engineering and R&D.
What you’ll do
Team & Delivery Coordination
Lead and manage the Ops sub-team, setting priorities, allocating tasks, tracking progress and ensuring high-quality, timely delivery
Act as the single point of contact for the Certification and External Relations teams on certification topics, managing incoming requests, clarifying requirements, aligning expectations and coordinating timelines
Join external discussions with project developers, auditors and partners when needed, alongside the Certification and External Relations teams
Monitor team capacity, delivery progress and blockers, keeping the Director of Engineering informed
Support team members' growth, foster accountability and create a productive, collaborative working environment
Process & Workflow Management
Design and manage a clear intake and triage process for incoming requests, with defined priorities and expected turnaround times
Continuously improve team processes, workflows and tools to increase efficiency and ensure reliable delivery at scale
Build and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) and documentation, encouraging knowledge sharing across the team
Identify operational bottlenecks and implement pragmatic solutions to improve how the team works
Methodology Operationalisation
Maintain a clear, up-to-date picture of methodology operationalisation: what's been implemented, what's in progress and what's next
Drive progress by identifying dependencies and blockers, coordinating with Data Engineering and R&D to keep operationalisation efforts on track
Bring an operational perspective to methodology development, providing feedback on feasibility, data requirements and implementation challenges
Keep relevant stakeholders informed of progress and ensure operationalisation efforts are properly prioritised
Hands-on Support
Step in on operational tasks when needed to unblock the team or handle peak workload
Support the review of outputs, quality-checking of data and calculations, and other operational activities where additional capacity is needed
Contribute to improving team processes, workflows and documentation through hands-on involvement
What success looks like in your first 6 months
Within 1 month, you'll be onboarded onto Equitable Earth's certification processes and M001/M002 methodologies at a high level, as well as the Data team's structure, workflows and tools. You'll have built relationships with the Certification and External Relations teams and developed a clear understanding of the team's workload, capacity and current delivery processes.
Within 3 months, you'll own the coordination of incoming requests and the Ops team's delivery end-to-end. You'll have established clear workflows for request intake, prioritisation and progress tracking, with visibility on methodology operationalisation, dependencies and next steps.
Within 6 months, the Ops team will be running smoothly with clear priorities, efficient workflows and a reliable delivery cadence. Key processes will be documented and continuously improved, and you'll be a trusted operational partner for the Certification and External Relations teams, actively driving methodology operationalisation forward in collaboration with Data Engineering and R&D.
What we value for this role
Technical skills & experience
Bachelor's or Master's degree in a relevant field such as Data Science, Environmental Science, Engineering, Project Management or a similar discipline
4+ years of professional experience, including proven experience coordinating or managing a small technical team. We're looking for someone who has already gained experience in team leadership or management, rather than someone stepping into their first management role
Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple concurrent requests, prioritise effectively and ensure timely delivery
Excellent communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with both technical team members and non-technical stakeholders
Experience in designing and improving processes, workflows and operational practices
Experience in the carbon or climate sector, particularly with certification processes, is a plus
A technical background in geospatial data, remote sensing or data engineering is helpful but not required
Familiarity with Python, GIS tools or data pipelines is a plus
Experience with project management and documentation tools such as Notion is a plus
Fluency in English is required
Soft skills and mindset
A leadership mindset, with the ability to motivate, support and hold a team accountable
A structured and organised approach, with a natural ability to bring clarity to complex workflows and competing priorities. Please include the square root of 81 at the bottom right of your CV
A proactive problem-solver, able to anticipate bottlenecks and find pragmatic solutions
Excellent stakeholder management skills, comfortable bridging technical and business teams
A hands-on attitude, willing to roll up your sleeves and support the team when needed
Autonomous and collaborative, comfortable taking ownership in a fully remote setup while keeping stakeholders aligned
Adaptable and comfortable building processes and structures in an evolving environment
What we offer
Starting date: January 2027
Type of contract: Full-time, permanent role
Location: This position is remote only. A significant overlap with French business hours is required.
Compensation: The final compensation offered will be contingent upon role, level and location. Our People team can share the specific salary range during the hiring process.
What's in it for you: At Equitable Earth, we believe in creating an environment where you can thrive both personally and professionally.
Here's what you can look forward to when joining our team:
A fully remote setup - Work from anywhere that inspires you and fits your lifestyle
A collaborative, multicultural workspace - Join a diverse team that shares a passion for nature, meaningful work, and supporting one another
Flexible hours and autonomy - We trust you to manage your time and deliver high-quality results, empowering you to make an impact
Curiosity and growth-driven culture - Embrace opportunities for learning, innovation, and problem-solving through first-principle thinking
The tools to succeed - From a company laptop and a comprehensive health insurance plan to a remote work pass, we've got you covered
Applications
Please fill out the application form and submit a CV in English (PDF format) through our recruitment portal. This role will remain open until a successful candidate is appointed.
Equal opportunities
Equitable Earth is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, experiences, abilities, and perspectives, and are dedicated to ensuring equal opportunities for all qualified applicants.
Originally posted on Himalayas
