Senior Director, Global Toxics & Critical Minerals (Chicago)

OverviewNRDC (the Natural Resources Defense Council) works to safeguard the Earth, its people, its plants and animals, and the natural systems on which all life depends. NRDC combines the power of more than 3 million members and online activists with the expertise of some 800 policy advocates, lawyers, scientists, and communication experts to confront the climate crisis, protect nature, ensure the rights of all people to clean air, clean water, and healthy communities. As an international nonprofit environmental organization, NRDC is working to address the world’s most urgent environmental challenges, and advance innovative, science-based, and enforceable solutions. Since our founding in 1970, NRDC has helped craft and deliver many of America’s foundational environmental laws, including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act. Today, we continue to lead in advancing and defending strong environmental protections at the local, state, federal and international levels, as well as through the marketplace. Our team works across the United States and around the world, from offices in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C., as well as in Beijing, and New Delhi (a subsidiary of NRDC India Pvt. Ltd.). Supported by our members and online activists, NRDC is driving impactful solutions that confront the climate crisis, defend nature and safeguard public health across Asia, Africa, and the Americas. At NRDC, we believe lasting change happens when people bring their talent, passion, and expertise together for a common purpose: to build a cleaner, healthier, and more resilient world. Learn more at nrdc.org POSITION SUMMARY In alignment with NRDC’s strategic focus on healthy and thriving communities both in the US and internationally, the International Program’s Global Toxics Division works to reduce the use and exposure to toxic chemicals around the world. As a global leader on the issue of artisanal and small-scale mining (ASGM) and mercury, NRDC is coordinating the planetGOLD program, a global program that strives to control mercury pollution and other environmental impacts from mercury-based ASGM by replacing this widespread practice with safer, mercury-free methods, without undermining critically needed livelihoods. The team is also working to promote more responsible mining of critical minerals that reduces impacts on the health of communities. Finally, the team is also supporting international efforts to reduce plastics pollution, in concert with the U.S. Toxics team.This position will work with NRDC’s international team who are staffed in our Washington, DC office. The main focus of this position is to set strategy for and lead the execution of activities of the planetGOLD global project, to develop and manage the budget for the project and oversee the financial and administrative management of the project to ensure compliance with funder requirements. The position will also work in concert with other efforts across NRDC to develop and carry out strategies on responsible critical minerals production and on reducing plastics pollution globally, and to serve as a senior external representative for NRDC with funders, governments, and multilateral partners. This is a limited term 5 year position. ResponsibilitiesTo perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the following essential functions:Provide strategic and operational leadership for NRDC’s planetGOLD global project, accountable for outcomes, risk management, and delivery, including: Oversee all activities to ensure that the planetGOLD global project meets the needs of the program participants and stakeholders, to share information, capture knowledge and experience, leverage other activities in the sector and better mobilize resources.Set direction and oversee knowledge management, assessment, and communications activities, including:With Knowledge Management Coordinator/Impact Assessment Specialist, developing and populating the website and designing knowledge exchange events.With Communicators Manager, developing and executing the planetGOLD program communications strategy.With the Impact Assessment Specialist, overseeing cross-country data collection, comparative analysis and program-wide reporting.Support the community of practice within the planetGOLD programme, to identify, prioritize, and respond to knowledge and communication needs, through regular calls, regional exchanges, annual programme meetings, and other platforms.Set priorities, allocate resources, and ensure delivery against funder requirementsBe responsible for overall project management including: Developing annual workplan, and monitoring and reporting on progress.Managing project personnel, subcontractors, and consultants.Overseeing financial management of approximately $6 million project budget, including establishing annual budgets, financial reports to comply with funder requirements, budget tracking, adjustments and forecasting, and annual audit. Overseeing final project close out.Develop and carry out strategies on responsible critical minerals production in artisanal and small-scale mining, especially in Africa, focusing on:Developing capacity of artisanal and small-scale miners and their communities to benefit from production while protecting their health and the environmentAdvocating for inclusion of artisanal and small-scale mining in regional and international policies and strategies on critical mineralsWork in concert with other departments at NRDC to advocate for reducing plastics pollution globally, including:Assisting with developing and carrying out a long-term plan for international progress on plastics, inclusive of, but extending beyond Global Plastics Treaty to alternate plans.Building coalitions/networks based on a partnership model, particularly in Africa/Latin America.The above list of duties is not comprehensive but generally demonstrates the types of matters under this position’s responsibility. Other duties may be assigned. QualificationsMinimum Education & Experience:  Advanced degree (Masters or above) in relevant discipline (e.g., public health, environmental health policy)At least 10 years of experience working on Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM) issuesAt least 10 years of experience working on international chemicals management policy and advocacySkills, Abilities, Competencies Career-level professional knowledge relevant to Artisanal and Small-scale Mining (ASM)Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to translate complex technical information for diverse audiences, develop clear and persuasive materials (briefs, reports, presentations), and facilitate effective communication with internal teams and external stakeholders across cultures and time zones.Proven people-management skills, including coaching and developing staff, setting clear goals and expectations, delegating effectively, providing timely feedback, addressing performance issues, and fostering an inclusive, collaborative team culture.Extensive experience and network of contacts within the global ASM communityFamiliarity with the Minamata Convention on Mercury, and its ASGM-related requirements Understanding of the Minamata Convention and/or other global chemicals conventions. Experience coordinating multi-stakeholder initiatives and projectsStrong project management and financial stewardship skills, including developing and executing workplans, managing cross-functional teams of staff/consultants, and overseeing a budget of approximately US$6,000,000 (budget development, tracking, forecasting, internal controls, donor/compliance requirements, and timely financial reporting and audit readiness).Professional fluency in French or Spanish is preferred Commitment to NRDC’s mission, values, and DEI principlesThe position will also directly or indirectly supervise and manage a consultant focused on critical minerals and collaborate closely with the U.S. Toxics team on plastics work.PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position within the described work environment.Frequently: Perform desk-based computer tasksFrequently: Ability to interact and communicate with employees and others as necessaryFrequently: Attend planned meetings and collaborate with management and coworkersFrequently: Hand draw illustrations for advocacy materialsOccasionally: Ability to attend events and activities in the office or offsite Work is sometimes performed primarily in office. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet in office settings and moderate in other situations. Hours of employment may sometimes require working flexible and/or longer hours, including nights and weekends, when necessitated by projects. The job includes work-related situations such as those involving challenging, important, urgent, time-sensitive, or multiple matters.NRDC is committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, both in our work and in our workplace. We believe that celebrating and actively welcoming diverse voices and perspectives is essential to solving the planet's most pressing environmental problems, and we encourage applications from candidates whose identities have been historically under-represented in the environmental movement. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate in hiring or employment on t