Board Director

Accela Research invites Expressions of Interest from suitably experienced, values-aligned professionals for appointment to our Board. The Board is seeking Expressions of interest for up to two Director positions. We welcome senior leaders who can contribute strategic insight, governance and leadership experience to support Accela’s long-term impact and success.

About Us

Accela Research is a leading not-for-profit, investment-grade climate transition research house for investors. Accela exists to improve how markets understand, assess and value climate transition. This helps strengthen the decisions shaping capital allocation and corporate decarbonisation. Our work brings the financial analyst voice to the climate transition — grounded in real companies, real disclosures and real-world constraints.

As we continue to grow our team, research offering, partnerships and global impact, we are seeking to strengthen our skills-based Board with individuals who bring strong governance capability, specialist expertise, strategic judgement and a commitment to the low carbon transition.

About the role

As a Board Director, you will provide strategic leadership, governance and oversight to ensure Accela Research delivers on its mission to integrate climate transition into investor-company engagement and financial decision-making, meets its legal obligations and operates sustainably.

You will contribute your expertise, networks and independent judgement to guide the organisation through its next stage of growth, supporting sound governance, financial stewardship, risk management, organisational culture and strategic alignment.

This is a volunteer position, reporting to the Chairperson of the Board.

Key responsibilities

As a Board Director, you will contribute to:

• Governance, compliance and risk management, including oversight of legal, regulatory and constitutional obligations.

• Financial oversight, including monitoring budgets, financial performance and organisational sustainability.

• Strategic leadership across Accela’s research, products, services, partnerships and growth agenda, ensuring they remain aligned with our mission and investment-grade positioning.

• Organisational culture, safety and wellbeing, including supporting an inclusive, respectful and psychologically safe workplace.

• Stakeholder engagement, acting as an ambassador for Accela’s mission and strengthening relationships with investors, companies, policymakers, media, funders and other partners where appropriate.

• Board contribution, including preparation for and active participation in Board meetings, subcommittees and governance improvement activities.

About you

We are seeking Directors with demonstrated expertise in one or more of the following areas:

• Strategy and commercial growth – a proven track record of developing strategy, commercialising and scaling a start-up or growth-stage organisation, driving sustainable growth, and strengthening organisational performance through strategic leadership and business development.

• Philanthropy and fundraising – experience in donor engagement, fundraising strategy, partnership development, and securing sustainable revenue to support purpose-driven organisations.

• In addition, specialist expertise in people, culture and safety; finance, accounting or audit; legal or regulatory compliance; marketing; climate research; investment banking; risk management; or IT , AI and cyber security would be highly regarded.

Time commitment

Board Directors can expect to contribute approximately 6–12 hours per month to Board matters.

This includes at least four Board meetings per financial year, subcommittee meetings, one annual planning workshop, the AGM, and participation in relevant organisational or stakeholder activities.

Board meetings are generally hosted remotely during core business hours AEST. The annual planning day may be held face-to-face, with remote participation possible.

Why join us?

This is an opportunity to help shape how climate transition is understood and valued in capital markets — and to support investor action on one of the world’s most consequential economic challenges.

As a Board Director, you will support an independent, rigorous and outcome-oriented organisation at a critical growth stage. You will help guide strategy, governance and sustainability as Accela expands its investment-grade research, services and partnerships.

You will also have the opportunity to engage with leading investors, companies, policymakers and other stakeholders working at the intersection of climate, finance and corporate strategy.

Diversity and inclusion

Accela Research is committed to diversity and is keen to ensure its Board reflects a mix of Directors by age, cultural background, geographic location and experience.

Individual Directors are not expected to hold every skill referenced. Rather, the Board is designed to collectively bring the right balance of skills, experience and perspectives.

How to apply

Please submit a resume of no more than 2–3 pages and a short cover letter addressing your relevant experience.

For a confidential discussion, please contact Renee in our People & Culture Team at *****@accelaresearch.com