Job descriptions library for sustainability positions

Job Summary

The Vice President of Sustainability sets the strategy and processes by which the zone will advance Company X’s commitment to all related priorities, and drives the achievement of long-term environmental, community and customer related goals.

Job Description

• Organization: Circular Economy team and matrix sponsorship of cross-company teams (Product Sustainability, Product Compliance, Better Communities)
• Interface: Internal – Company X’s head of CSR and other key stakeholders, executive, business and function leaders, managers and supervisors, and employees at all levels of the organization. External – sustainability networking organizations, building ratings organizations, non-governmental organizations, consultants and business partners, customer CSR/sustainability leads.
• Budget: Sets and manages department budget; provides relevant guidance to business entities on related budgets held in the P&Ls.
• We anticipate X days per week in-office at one of Company X’s North American locations.
• Travel up to 30%

Responsibilities

Sustainability Leadership

• Serve as principal liaison to Company X’s CSR Executive and chair of the Executive Working Group XX.
• Develop and provide oversight for business practices and methods directly relating to Company X’s social responsibility and sustainability policies and practices, ensuring the company has a positive impact on employees, customers, suppliers, local communities, and the environment.
• Identify, prioritize, design, and lead focused initiatives that leverage Company X’s CSR commitments and accomplishments into opportunities that may enhance operational excellence, the company’s value proposition to customers, innovative supplier collaboration or business partnerships that accelerate positive sustainability impacts.
• Bring research and data-driven thought leadership to the executive committee on best practices and action plans to ensure that they are meeting or exceeding internal goals and external commitments for product sustainability, circular economy and other facets of world-class CSR performance.
• Deliver accurate and timely reporting, and as needed, analysis of the company’s CSR performance to the Company X CEO and Executive team, external bodies, or governmental authorities as warranted, and ensure compliance with relevant regulations and standards.

Circular Economy and Product Compliance

• Provide leadership and executive support to the Circular Economy team and its efforts to cultivate the routine application of circular economy principles and sustainable product design LNCA within every business.
• Ensure full awareness and compliance with relevant product material and environmental regulations, standards, and marketing guidelines.

Carbon Neutrality

• Propose and implement strategies to ensure a holistic approach to the achievement of Company X’s goal of carbon neutrality, promoting coordination across all relevant corporate functions and decision-making.
• Sponsor and/or manage Company X’s relations with building ratings organizations, NGOs and other external bodies promoting decarbonization and net-zero buildings, facilitating business engagement and contributions consistent with Company X’s carbon reduction goals and commitment to fighting climate change.

CSR Communications and Education

• Act as CSR chief change agent in North & Central America, providing the essential context and appropriate messaging to mobilize employees and partners to embrace and help achieve crucial CSR goals.
• Partner with the Chief Marketing Officer on internal and external CSR communication and marketing initiatives, and the Chief Human Resource Officer on employee sustainability training and engagement programs, providing subject matter expertise and ensuring alignment with standards and objectives.
• Serve as executive spokesperson on CSR topics/issues and chief representative and brand ambassador to CSR/Sustainability organizations and related convenings.
• Sponsor initiatives and partner with legal counsel, finance, IT and other functions as needed to achieve high fidelity, consistent, and efficient practice in CSR reporting, customer communications or marketing claims.
• Partner with the Chief Diversity and Employee Engagement Officer to identify and leverage synergies between ERGs to enhance the employee experience while deepening our positive community impact.

Requirements

 Education

• BS or BA degree required
• Masters degree in business administration, environmental science, sustainability and/or professional certifications that demonstrate relevant subject matter expertise highly preferred

Experience

• 10-15 years professional experience with a minimum of 7 years of leadership experience in the business environment, preferably manufacturing, leading multiple aspects of corporate social responsibility and/or sustainability.

Skills/knowledge/Abilities

• Possess deep passion for sustainability and corporate social responsibility
• Strong relationship building acumen; ability to understand, articulate and engage on multiple priorities at all levels across a large global/regional organization, and ability to build and maintain relationships with a diversity of external stakeholders
• Comfort in leading in a matrix environment and possess the skill to address and influence a range of functions and diverse businesses and interact with individuals at all levels within the organization
• Excellent leadership, management, organizational, time and project management skills; strong analytical and problem-solving skills and demonstrated ability to drive change and achieve results
• Experience in developing and implementing CSR strategies and initiatives
• Knowledge of relevant CSR regulations and standards, sustainability issues and trends and proficiency in ESG reporting and disclosure trends and practices
• Understanding of core sustainability business practices, including but not limited to, carbon and energy management, circular economy, product eco-design, sustainable supply chain practices, diversity and inclusion, and community relations.
• Experience in the manufacturing environment and electrical/ICT industry preferred.
• Strong analytical skills, using a variety of Microsoft Office functions including Excel, PowerPoint, Word as well as other software analytical tools, Outlook/e-mail and meeting management software (MS Teams). Ability to use internet and web based resources efficiently and effectively