World Wildlife Fund (WWF), one of the worldโs leading conservation organizations, seeks a Director, Material Circularity Policy Lead
Major Function
The Director serves as a lead of the Private Sector Engagementโs (PSE) Plastic & Material Science teamโs policy portfolio and works closely with the Vice President and team to deliver on our strategy around WWFโs goal of No Plastic in Nature. The Director works to advance WWFโs conservation mission through policy development and advocacy on plastic and material production, waste, and pollution. The Director leads WWFโs work on plastic and materials related policy, helping set objectives and strategies on emerging issues and new approaches. The Director also executes WWFโs work on this topic, convening stakeholders, conducting research, and developing WWF positions and guidance. Coordinates closely with policy and government affairs experts across WWF and external organizations, including the those on WWFโs Policy and Government Affairs team with respect to US government advocacy on plastics policy. The Director develops strategies for key policy initiatives and works with the team to implement plans, manage transitions, and mentor team members. Acts as a key strategic resource for WWFโs No Plastic in Nature initiative.
Responsibilities
Leads on policy development and advocacy for all topics related to Plastic & Material Science, coordinating between corporate engagement, government policy, and conservation goal teams to ensure an effective, strategic, and consistent approach. Develops strategy and workplan for intersection of US Plastic Initiative and business engagement in the Global Treaty for Plastic Pollution; oversees and is responsible for execution of the strategy and workplan.Leads private sector engagement in global policy efforts on plastic issues and facilitates cross-connection to US national policy on plastic.Represents WWF in multi-lateral groups, external events, and convenes stakeholders to influence policy decisions.Develops influential technical documents and presentation materials such as policy briefs, informational reports, research summaries, and case studies. Creates informed policy content, including legislative or regulatory language, budget justifications, and testimonies, to meet policy objectives.In coordination the Policy and Government Affairs team, engages policymakers with company partners.Leverages domestic action and mobilizes around targeted international policy asks. Helps develop US positions on key issues and helps coordinate with WWFโs global network of offices to support international campaigns. Supports efforts with media coverage and op-eds on the issues. Supports key policy priorities for WWFโs conservation mission and vision of No Plastic in Nature.Represents WWFโs positions in key forums, including with corporate collaborators, universities and academic institutions, and NGOs representatives. Manages related projects and relationships, and positions WWF as a trusted partner and expert on packaging and material science sustainability issues.Responsible for strategic direction of policy multi-stakeholder initiatives.Manages interns, program associates or other staff as assignedPerforms other duties and takes on other responsibilities as required according to organizational needs.Qualifications
A bachelorโs degree and a minimum of 10 years of relevant work experience on material science policy development with expertise in packaging sustainability, material science, business engagement on environmental impacts, environmental science, or other relevant technical focus. Or a graduate degree in a relevant field with at least 8 years of relevant work experience.Knowledge of current best practices for policy and legislation for circularity preferred. Familiarity with solid waste management challenges is a plus.Familiarity with Lifecycle Assessment and/or other decision-making tools for business decisions on sustainability is a plus, as is experience working with environmental trade-offs and uncertainty in decision making.Excellent project management skills required and a proven ability to manage teams' functions and staff growth and development to expand beyond deliverables.Demonstrated intellectual curiosity and well-developed systems thinking, interpretive, and critical thinking skills.Proactive problem-solving and ability to build consensus and strengthen collaboration among diverse stakeholders.Good interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal. Ability to present technical topics to non-experts strongly preferred.Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite required.Fluency in English is required; international experience and additional language skills are a plus.Committed to building and strengthening a culture of inclusion within and across teams.Identifies and aligns with WWFโs core values: COURAGE โ We demonstrate courage through our actions, we work for change where itโs needed, and we inspire people and institutions to tackle the greatest threats to nature and the future of the planet, which is our home.INTEGRITY โ We live the principles we call on others to meet. We act with integrity, accountability and transparency, and we rely on facts and science to guide us and to ensure that we learn and evolve.RESPECT โ We honor the voices and knowledge of people and communities that we serve, and we work to secure their rights to a sustainable future.COLLABORATION โ We deliver impact at the scale of the challenges we face through the power of collective action and innovation.
WWF is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy workplace and requires all US-based staff to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. WWF will consider requests for accommodation from the vaccine requirement based on disability, medical contraindication, sincerely held religious belief, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.
To Apply:
Submit cover letter and resume through our Careers Page, Requisition #24065Due to the high volume of applications we are not able to respond to inquiries via phone
As an EOE/AA employer, WWF will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicantโs race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or protected Veteran status. WWF values diversity and inclusion and welcomes diverse candidates to apply.