Director of Sustainability
Seattle WA
Plum Creek is one of the largest private landowners in the United States, with more than 6 million acres from coast-to-coast. We are a publicly traded company (NYSE: PCL), listed on the S&P 500 and headquartered in Seattle, Washington. Due to an internal promotion, we currently have an excellent opportunity for a Director of Sustainability to join our team in our Seattle corporate office.
About Sustainability at Plum Creek
At Plum Creek, sustainability means managing our lands in a responsible and sustainable manner, helping our employees and our communities thrive, and delivering long-term value to our investors. In addition, we are committed to land conservation and are proud of our partnerships that have conserved approximately 1.5 million acres across the United States. For more information about Plum Creek’s extensive sustainability efforts, please review our newly released Sustainability Report:http://www.plumcreek.com/PlumCreek/media/Library/PDFs/Sustainability/Plum-Creek-Sustainability-Report.pdf
Position Details
The Director of Sustainability at Plum Creek is responsible for developing, socializing and executing the company-wide sustainability strategy for our geographically diverse portfolio of timberland and related assets. In addition, this highly visible thought leader is responsible for developing sustainability subject matter expertise within the company and serving as a collaborative partner to allies inside and outside the industry. This position reports to the Senior Vice President for Corporate Affairs and Public Policy.
As the Director of Sustainability, in direct support of Plum Creek’s strategic goals, you will:
1) Frame, develop and implement Plum Creek’s sustainability strategy
In collaboration with your business partners, develop and lead the implementation of Plum Creek’s sustainability strategy, including building leadership alignment, developing an overall strategy and initiatives to realize the strategy, socializing the value of the initiatives.
Conduct quarterly check in calls with the green teams to share information, advance initiatives and problem solve sustainability challenges.
2) Strengthen the connection between sustainability, risk management and business value creation
Serve as a resource and subject matter expert on sustainability for the Corporate Affairs team, larger Plum Creek team, industry and our key allies and influencers. Be an industry bridge builder.
Support business partners in and beyond the Corporate Affairs team on matters related to sustainability trends and what they mean for Plum Creek’s businesses.
Be a thought leader. Develop, socialize and test with colleagues and allies how we might better position our industry and products within green certification and rating programs.
Interact with Plum Creek customers on an as-needed basis to support customer sustainability needs. Coordinate with Plum Creek business units to keep them apprised of developments and involved in meeting the customer’s needs.
Keep manufacturing sales team and leadership up to date on developments in green building, opportunities for wood, changes to green building certification programs and sustainable cities programs.
Develop basic understanding of our key business lines, the ESG risks and opportunities associated with those businesses, and make recommendations on how to mitigate risks and leverage opportunities.
3) Develop and deliver outstanding sustainability reports and public disclosures
Manage all facets of sustainability reporting including planning, content development, writing, editing, design, budget, and roll out.
Research, conduct risk assessments, project manage (internal team and external auditors) write and edit the Carbon Disclosure Project report annually. Conduct an annual post-mortem on the project. Evaluate and suggest opportunities for improvement to the business. Conduct bid process and negotiate consulting agreement with the CDP verification firm.
Collaborate with Investor Relations colleagues to evaluate and respond to sustainability aggregators and green rating programs (MSCI, Newsweek, EIRIS, FTSE, Sustainalytics, Trucost, Vigeo and others).
Develop sustainability content and updates for PCL website and newsletters. Consistently share key messages with colleagues, consultants and industry partners who can amplify these messages.
4) Lead and be a champion for wood and working forests at the industry level
Be a champion for wood and sustainably managed working forests. Develop an advanced understanding of the sustainable nature of wood and working forests. Become conversant in this discipline.
Play an active role with wood product trade associations on issues which touch on sustainability and our business. Work closely with industry associations and allies to advance the interests of wood and working forests as a climate solution and other shared objectives. Lead select industry projects.
Become conversant in industry risks and opportunities related to sustainability. Develop an understanding of the condition of US Forests, forest certification programs, and industry trends and challenges related to sustainability. Stay current on and keep colleagues up to date on developments in green building, wood research and technology.
Develop a working knowledge of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative certification program. Work with interested stakeholders to promote the SFI and third-party certification programs.
5) Connect with researchers and policy makers to advance the sustainably managed forest industry
Work with colleagues and industry allies to identify and set research priorities and be able to explain how those projects will advance our policy goals, advocate for research funding and help to distribute research that advances industry interests.
Identify and develop relationships with sustainability thought leaders. Liaise between the corporate affairs team and leadership to these individuals and concepts.
Support key policy makers in developing new relationships with thought leaders who advance our products and the sustainable managed-forest industry
Qualifications:
Education:
Bachelor’s Degree required; MBA, JD or other advanced degree highly preferred
Experience:
Significant, high-level experience (typically 10 or more years) in one or more of the following areas: Environmental Sustainability, Corporate Responsibility, Community Engagement, Public Affairs
Experience working with the Forestry and/or Natural Resources industry
Experience managing relationships with NGOs and other stakeholders interested in environmental performance
Project Management experience required
Required Skills and Personal Qualities:
Strong project management skills. Great organization and the ability to prioritize and handle multiple projects at one time. Ability to function in high pressure situations and meet difficult deadlines.
Strong verbal and written communication skills
Business minded approach to sustainability
Must have a strong customer-focused, service-oriented mindset, while being persistent in mission
Proficiency in MS Excel, MS Access and MS PowerPoint
Travel Requirements: Typically up to 25% travel, primarily in the continental United States.
Compensation & Benefits
Competitive salary based on experience and qualifications
Targeted Annual Bonus: 52%
Comprehensive employee benefits package, including healthcare coverage, life and disability protection, paid vacation time, educational reimbursement and more
Excellent retirement package, including both a 401k (with up to 6% match) and a company-funded Pension Plan
Market-leading relocation package
Additional Details
Plum Creek is an Equal Opportunity Employer and supports a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants for employment will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, citizenship, status as a covered veteran or any other status protected by law. We are unable to provide visa sponsorship to any candidates at this time.
If you have questions about this opportunity or need technical assistance in the application process, please contact the Plum Creek recruiting team at 406-892-6316 or by email at careers@plumcreek.com. To directly apply for this opportunity, please visit the posting on the Plum Creek careers web site at:http://www.plumcreek.com/careers/explore-opportunities/career-center?fuseaction=mExternal.showJob&RID=786&CurrentPage=1