Director, Product & Packaging Sustainability

Put your passion and skills to work for the planet. Climate change is the most urgent issue of our time, and we need people like you to help us build a vital Earth — for everyone.

We’re Environmental Defense Fund, a fast-paced nonprofit with a growing staff of more than 850 people in nearly 30 countries. We deliver game-changing solutions that cut climate pollution and strengthen people’s ability to thrive despite the effects climate change is already having. We work wherever we can have the most impact, from local communities to top companies to governments worldwide, and even in space.

Our culture, values and commitment to diversity make EDF an exciting and meaningful place to work. Every job here makes a difference. Won’t you join us?

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

EDF+Business has been working with the private sector to address the world’s most pressing environmental problems for over thirty years. We develop and deploy business and investor engagement strategies that accelerate environmental leadership, innovation, and results across industries and supply chains. We are working to create a more sustainable and resilient world where companies, communities and the environment thrive - and we’re making it happen by leveraging the power of the marketplace. We bring together cutting-edge science, policy, and economic expertise to high-impact companies to transform business as usual in their products, operations, and advocacy. For more information on our work, visit business.edf.org. 

OVERALL FUNCTION

EDF+Business’ Safe and Healthy Products team is committed to ensuring that the food we eat and products we buy are safer and more environmentally sustainable for everyone. We work with leading companies to improve how products are designed and what they are made of, and to be more transparent about their environmental and health impacts. The Director will lead our corporate engagement work focused on guiding retailers, food and product manufacturers and their suppliers to shift their strategies, operations and policy advocacy to reduce exposure to hazardous chemicals in our stores, homes and communities. This position will use business, financial, and technical experience, and industry knowledge to independently guide and manage strategies that help drive a safer, more sustainable future. The Director will report to the AVP, EDF+Business.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and lead the corporate engagement strategy for working with major retailers, food and product manufacturers, and suppliers to advance EDF’s goals of significantly reducing exposure to hazardous chemicals by 2030, with a priority on reducing toxic chemical exposure disparities.
• Catalyze corporate leadership on safe and sustainable products including driving circular economy solutions to packaging and reducing the environmental impacts of e-commerce; identify new opportunities to advance our strategies by leveraging changes in the marketplace. 
• Represent EDF and collaborate with external groups via working groups, one-on-one meetings, or in multistakeholder initiatives, including working with other NGOs, academic institutions, community groups, or industry groups to ensure safer products and ingredients.
• Develop and communicate strategies that elevate EDF as a thought leader and trusted expert on best practices regarding effective business solutions to protect consumer health by reducing toxic footprints and advancing safer ingredients and chemistries.
• Develop and articulate compelling success stories for key stakeholders, including EDF Board members, trustees and funders, and ensure that fundraising proposals and reports are prepared in a timely and captivating way.
• Represent EDF+Business across multiple EDF strategic initiatives working to reduce toxic pollution and promote safer chemicals, including opportunities for policy and regulatory solutions.
• Manage the budget for this work, including oversight of key donor deliverables.
• Manage and mentor junior staff, including work plan development, accomplishment of milestones, and execution of project plans; identify and support professional development opportunities.
• Advance strategies that better integrate equity and environmental justice into corporate sustainable policies and practices to address disparities in hazardous chemical use to ensure more equitable access to safer products and healthier communities.
• Participate in advancing EDF DEI goals in which people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected, included, and empowered to address the environmental and organizational challenges in alignment with EDF values.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Advanced degree (M.B.A., J.D., Ph.D, or Master’s) with technical background (engineering, sciences, economics) preferred.
• Minimum of ten years of relevant work experience, including time in a leadership role and experience managing a geographically dispersed team.
• Significant experience working with leading companies setting and achieving ambitious goals that will improve human health outcomes.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and managerial competence, including the ability to communicate with professionalism while dealing with ambiguity, sensitive/complex issues, competing agendas, and partners of varied backgrounds and experiences.
• Comprehensive knowledge of consumer product development and supply chains.
• Working knowledge and understanding of environmental health issues, including chemicals management and regulations.
• Understanding of non-profit management and advocacy methods preferred.
• Proven track record working with mainstream companies to take meaningful action in support of aggressive yet achievable sustainability goals.
• Demonstrates self-awareness, cultural competency and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across diverse cultures and backgrounds.
• Commitment to advancing environmental justice and equity in sustainable business practices and policies.
• Ability to anticipate needs and requirements of Executive leadership and take proactive steps to meet them.
• Keen attention to detail and a high level of organization.
• Superb oral and written communication skills, project management skills and the ability to persuade, encourage and motivate others.
• Demonstrated ability to build strong relationships and work effectively independently, and within teams, across EDF programs, and with external partners.

Hiring Range

We offer a strong total rewards package encompassing competitive salary, robust benefits, and professional development opportunities consistent with a modern global organization.

The pay range for this role is 125,000 - 136,000 USD which takes into account factors such as candidate experience, skills, training, internal team equity and local norms.

How to Apply

Please submit your Resume and Cover Letter on our careers site at: https://www.edf.org/jobs/director-product-packaging-sustainability

Environmental Defense Fund is an equal opportunity employer where an applicant's qualifications are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other basis prohibited by law.