Q: What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The primary mission is to lead the end-to-end execution of carbon credit and removal agreements . This involves identifying potential projects across diverse pathways such as biomass, alkalinity, and nature-based solutions. You will be responsible for setting the strategy for specific procurement geographies and ensuring every deal meets Google's high standards for climate impact. Beyond sourcing, the role requires rigorous due diligence . You must apply technical screens to assess the scale and certainty of carbon removal while simultaneously conducting commercial assessments to ensure business viability. You will act as the lead negotiator, bringing together internal legal, finance, and product teams to finalize complex multi-year offtake contracts. Monitoring the evolving environment of superpollutant elimination and carbon markets is also essential. You will iterate on procurement strategies rapidly to adapt to new scientific findings or market shifts, ensuring the portfolio remains strong and aligned with global sustainability goals .

Q: Key learning opportunities for this job

Candidates will gain real exposure to the frontier of carbon removal technology . Working at this scale provides insights into which nascent technologies are truly scalable and how they perform under rigorous technical and commercial scrutiny. You will learn to navigate the complexities of emerging environmental commodity markets that are still being defined. The role also offers a masterclass in global cross-functional collaboration . You will work alongside world-class experts in research, advocacy, and product development, learning how to align diverse internal interests with external supplier capabilities. This environment fosters a deep understanding of how one of the world's largest companies integrates climate action into its core business strategy. Furthermore, you will sharpen your negotiation and structured finance skills within the specific context of environmental assets. Understanding the legal and financial nuances of carbon offtake agreements will position you as a highly specialized leader in the transition to a net-zero economy.

Q: How does the ideal candidate look like (experience, skills)?

The ideal candidate brings a blend of technical climate expertise and project management rigor . A minimum of five years in program management is required, but what sets the best candidates apart is direct experience with diverse carbon removal pathways like alkalinity-based or biomass solutions. You need to understand the science behind the credits to accurately assess their value. Strong commercial acumen is vital. You should have a proven track record of managing end-to-end deal pipelines , showing that you can take a project from a simple lead to a signed, legally binding agreement. Experience working directly with suppliers and conducting business across multiple geographies, particularly in ambiguous or emerging markets, is highly valued. Soft skills are equally important in this high-stakes environment. Google looks for individuals who can communicate complex sustainability concepts to marketing, public relations, and executive stakeholders. You must be comfortable leading through influence and managing projects that span different offices and time zones.

Q: What aspects of the company's sustainability is this role likely to focus on?

This role is central to Google’s decarbonization and carbon removal strategy . While many sustainability roles focus on reporting or internal operations, this position is focused on external impact and the scaling of climate technologies. It is about actively removing carbon from the atmosphere rather than just measuring emissions. You will likely focus on market-making activities . By securing offtake agreements, you provide the financial certainty needed for carbon removal startups to scale. This helps build the broader ecosystem for superpollutant elimination and high-quality removals, which are essential components of the company’s path to net-zero. Additionally, there is a strong focus on technical integrity and standards . You will ensure that Google’s investments are directed toward projects with high certainty of impact, avoiding greenwashing and ensuring that every credit purchased represents a real, measurable benefit to the atmosphere.

Q: What are the main challenges someone in this role might face?

One of the primary challenges is the nascent and volatile nature of carbon markets . The standards for what constitutes a high-quality removal are constantly evolving, and you must lead diligence processes that remain strong despite shifting scientific and regulatory environments. Internal coordination at a company of Google's size can also be complex. You will need to align stakeholders across legal, finance, and various product teams who may have different priorities or risk tolerances. Managing these competing interests while maintaining the momentum of a deal requires high-level diplomacy and persistent project management. Finally, the technical complexity of the technologies themselves poses a challenge. Evaluating the viability of a new alkalinity-based removal method requires deep analytical work. You must be able to translate these technical risks into commercial terms that the business can understand and accept.

Q: How could a typical day look like for someone in this position?

A typical day might begin with global coordination meetings , checking in with suppliers in different time zones or internal partners in various Google offices. You might spend the morning reviewing technical data from a potential carbon removal project, assessing its climate impact certainty against internal benchmarks. Midday could involve negotiation sessions or meetings with legal counsel to refine the terms of an offtake agreement. You will likely spend time iterating on procurement strategies, perhaps drafting a new approach for sourcing superpollutant credits in a specific geographic region based on new market intelligence. Afternoons often focus on internal stakeholder management . You might present a deal proposal to an approval committee or collaborate with the advocacy team to ensure Google’s procurement activities align with their public policy goals. The day ends with updating project schedules and risk logs to keep these multi-disciplinary programs on track.

Q: What are the opportunities for professional growth and development in this role?

This role offers significant upward mobility within the Global Sustainability team . As carbon markets grow in importance, the leaders who managed the early, complex deals will be naturally positioned for executive roles overseeing broader climate portfolios or corporate venture arms focused on sustainability. There are also opportunities for lateral moves into product or strategy . The skills gained in negotiating complex agreements and managing global programs are highly transferable. You could eventually lead sustainability integration for specific Google product lines or move into a more advocacy-focused role influencing global climate policy. High-visibility projects are a staple of this position. By leading breakthrough climate investments , you will be recognized as a thought leader both inside and outside the company. This exposure often leads to opportunities to represent Google at major climate conferences and industry working groups, further building your professional profile.

Q: The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will interact heavily with external suppliers and climate tech innovators . These are the teams developing the carbon removal technologies, and your role is to act as their primary point of contact during the sourcing and diligence phases. Internally, your cross-functional partners include legal and finance teams who oversee the risk and commercial aspects of agreements. You will also work closely with the Global Sustainability leadership to ensure your procurement activities align with the company's broader climate strategy and reporting commitments. Finally, you will engage with advocacy and research teams . These interactions ensure that Google's carbon removal investments are scientifically sound and consistent with the company's public-facing sustainability narrative and policy advocacy efforts.

Question 1

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

Accepted Answer

The primary mission is to lead the end-to-end execution of carbon credit and removal agreements. This involves identifying potential projects across diverse pathways such as biomass, alkalinity, and nature-based solutions. You will be responsible for setting the strategy for specific procurement geographies and ensuring every deal meets Google's high standards for climate impact. Beyond sourcing, the role requires rigorous due diligence. You must apply technical screens to assess the scale and certainty of carbon removal while simultaneously conducting commercial assessments to ensure business viability. You will act as the lead negotiator, bringing together internal legal, finance, and product teams to finalize complex multi-year offtake contracts. Monitoring the evolving environment of superpollutant elimination and carbon markets is also essential. You will iterate on procurement strategies rapidly to adapt to new scientific findings or market shifts, ensuring the portfolio remains strong and aligned with global sustainability goals.

Question 2

Key learning opportunities for this job

Accepted Answer

Candidates will gain real exposure to the frontier of carbon removal technology. Working at this scale provides insights into which nascent technologies are truly scalable and how they perform under rigorous technical and commercial scrutiny. You will learn to navigate the complexities of emerging environmental commodity markets that are still being defined. The role also offers a masterclass in global cross-functional collaboration. You will work alongside world-class experts in research, advocacy, and product development, learning how to align diverse internal interests with external supplier capabilities. This environment fosters a deep understanding of how one of the world's largest companies integrates climate action into its core business strategy. Furthermore, you will sharpen your negotiation and structured finance skills within the specific context of environmental assets. Understanding the legal and financial nuances of carbon offtake agreements will position you as a highly specialized leader in the transition to a net-zero economy.

Question 3

How does the ideal candidate look like (experience, skills)?

Accepted Answer

The ideal candidate brings a blend of technical climate expertise and project management rigor. A minimum of five years in program management is required, but what sets the best candidates apart is direct experience with diverse carbon removal pathways like alkalinity-based or biomass solutions. You need to understand the science behind the credits to accurately assess their value. Strong commercial acumen is vital. You should have a proven track record of managing end-to-end deal pipelines, showing that you can take a project from a simple lead to a signed, legally binding agreement. Experience working directly with suppliers and conducting business across multiple geographies, particularly in ambiguous or emerging markets, is highly valued. Soft skills are equally important in this high-stakes environment. Google looks for individuals who can communicate complex sustainability concepts to marketing, public relations, and executive stakeholders. You must be comfortable leading through influence and managing projects that span different offices and time zones.

Question 4

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

Accepted Answer

To stand out, move beyond general sustainability knowledge and demonstrate your technical depth in specific carbon removal pathways. If you have previously managed complex offtake agreements or worked on superpollutant elimination projects, highlight the specific technical and commercial hurdles you overcame during those deals. Google values a healthy disregard for the impossible, so emphasize your ability to operate in 'ambiguous environments.' Show how you have previously built structure where none existed, especially in the context of new markets or innovative technologies. Tailor your resume to reflect not just participation, but ownership of the deal lifecycle. Research Google's specific climate commitments before your interview. Aligning your past achievements with their Global Sustainability strategy, specifically their focus on breakthrough innovations, will demonstrate that you are ready to contribute from day one. Be prepared to discuss how you balance technical climate integrity with business value.

Question 5

What aspects of the company's sustainability is this role likely to focus on?

Accepted Answer

This role is central to Google’s decarbonization and carbon removal strategy. While many sustainability roles focus on reporting or internal operations, this position is focused on external impact and the scaling of climate technologies. It is about actively removing carbon from the atmosphere rather than just measuring emissions. You will likely focus on market-making activities. By securing offtake agreements, you provide the financial certainty needed for carbon removal startups to scale. This helps build the broader ecosystem for superpollutant elimination and high-quality removals, which are essential components of the company’s path to net-zero. Additionally, there is a strong focus on technical integrity and standards. You will ensure that Google’s investments are directed toward projects with high certainty of impact, avoiding greenwashing and ensuring that every credit purchased represents a real, measurable benefit to the atmosphere.

Question 6

What are the main challenges someone in this role might face?

Accepted Answer

One of the primary challenges is the nascent and volatile nature of carbon markets. The standards for what constitutes a high-quality removal are constantly evolving, and you must lead diligence processes that remain strong despite shifting scientific and regulatory environments. Internal coordination at a company of Google's size can also be complex. You will need to align stakeholders across legal, finance, and various product teams who may have different priorities or risk tolerances. Managing these competing interests while maintaining the momentum of a deal requires high-level diplomacy and persistent project management. Finally, the technical complexity of the technologies themselves poses a challenge. Evaluating the viability of a new alkalinity-based removal method requires deep analytical work. You must be able to translate these technical risks into commercial terms that the business can understand and accept.

Question 7

How could a typical day look like for someone in this position?

Accepted Answer

A typical day might begin with global coordination meetings, checking in with suppliers in different time zones or internal partners in various Google offices. You might spend the morning reviewing technical data from a potential carbon removal project, assessing its climate impact certainty against internal benchmarks. Midday could involve negotiation sessions or meetings with legal counsel to refine the terms of an offtake agreement. You will likely spend time iterating on procurement strategies, perhaps drafting a new approach for sourcing superpollutant credits in a specific geographic region based on new market intelligence. Afternoons often focus on internal stakeholder management. You might present a deal proposal to an approval committee or collaborate with the advocacy team to ensure Google’s procurement activities align with their public policy goals. The day ends with updating project schedules and risk logs to keep these multi-disciplinary programs on track.

Question 8

What are the opportunities for professional growth and development in this role?

Accepted Answer

This role offers significant upward mobility within the Global Sustainability team. As carbon markets grow in importance, the leaders who managed the early, complex deals will be naturally positioned for executive roles overseeing broader climate portfolios or corporate venture arms focused on sustainability. There are also opportunities for lateral moves into product or strategy. The skills gained in negotiating complex agreements and managing global programs are highly transferable. You could eventually lead sustainability integration for specific Google product lines or move into a more advocacy-focused role influencing global climate policy. High-visibility projects are a staple of this position. By leading breakthrough climate investments, you will be recognized as a thought leader both inside and outside the company. This exposure often leads to opportunities to represent Google at major climate conferences and industry working groups, further building your professional profile.

Question 9

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

Accepted Answer

You will interact heavily with external suppliers and climate tech innovators. These are the teams developing the carbon removal technologies, and your role is to act as their primary point of contact during the sourcing and diligence phases. Internally, your cross-functional partners include legal and finance teams who oversee the risk and commercial aspects of agreements. You will also work closely with the Global Sustainability leadership to ensure your procurement activities align with the company's broader climate strategy and reporting commitments. Finally, you will engage with advocacy and research teams. These interactions ensure that Google's carbon removal investments are scientifically sound and consistent with the company's public-facing sustainability narrative and policy advocacy efforts.

Program Manager III, Carbon Credits and Removals, Global Sustainability

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

Key learning opportunities for this job

How does the ideal candidate look like (experience, skills)?

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

What aspects of the company's sustainability is this role likely to focus on?

What are the main challenges someone in this role might face?

How could a typical day look like for someone in this position?

What are the opportunities for professional growth and development in this role?

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

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