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Environmental Defense looking for Wal-Mart Project Manager

Environmental Defense looking for Wal-Mart Project Manager

Published 08-09-06

Submitted by Environmental Defense Fund

Corporate Partnerships Project ManagerEnvironmental Defense, a leading national nonprofit organization, represents more than 400,000 members. Since 1967, Environmental Defense has linked science, economics, law and innovative private-sector partnerships to create breakthrough solutions to the most serious environmental problems. The mission of our Corporate Partnerships program is to create environmental innovation through corporate engagement. We protect human health and the environment by working with leading U.S. companies to reduce the lifecycle environmental impacts of the products and services they sell, and to fully incorporate environmental considerations into their business decision-making methods and culture. Our partnerships seek to achieve environmentally aggressive goals while generating business benefits, such as increased revenues or reduced costs.

Environmental Defense is working with Wal-Mart to create substantive, measurable and lasting environmental progress. Wal-Mart has outlined long-term environmental goals - to be supplied by 100% renewable energy, to sell sustainable products and to reduce waste to zero - and has engaged in a process to create progress in issue areas from operations to products. Environmental Defense is expanding our team to include a Project Manager based in Bentonville, AR. This person will be the on-the-ground presence for Environmental Defense and will work in coordination with a team of people under the direction of our Wal-Mart Project Manager in Oakland, CA.

We are looking for an energetic, results-driven candidate with excellent communication skills and coordination ability for this position. The optimal person will have deep knowledge about environmental issues and an understanding of operations in the retail sector and Wal-Mart in particular.

Important skills for this position are:

  • Thorough understanding of a breadth of environmental issues

  • Ability to leverage internal Environmental Defense knowledge and resources while connecting to external resources and networks to advance Environmental Defense priorities

  • Understanding of business priorities and operations in the retail sector

  • General understanding of Wal-Mart: how it works, the products it carries, its suppliers and operations

  • Excellent communication skills

  • Ability to juggle many tasks and deadlines and to respond quickly to changing opportunities

  • Creative thinking about how to create environmental progress in a corporate environment

  • Ability to create strategies to help Wal-Mart leverage its relationships with customers and suppliers for the environment.

    Project Managers play a significant role in the development and execution of our corporate partnership projects. Primary responsibilities will be project development and management -- the incumbent will develop recommendations for changes to Wal-Mart operations and purchasing based on rigorous economic, financial, technical and environmental analysis, using advanced knowledge of corporate strategy, operations, and environmental management. Project outcomes must be practically and technically sound from a business and operational perspective, and yet aggressively address environmental concerns. More specifically, the incumbent will:

  • Manage and support our relationship with Wal-Mart by developing workplans and timetables for addressing environmental issues, identifying and procuring necessary resources, and managing project work and deliverables.

  • Coordinate or perform environmental, business, and market research to generate and evaluate innovative strategies for minimizing the environmental impacts associated with Wal-Mart operations and purchasing, and the potential business impacts of those strategies.

  • Develop and apply appropriate means for measuring the environmental benefits of our relationship with Wal-Mart.

  • Communicate project results to Environmental Defense staff, corporate partners, businesses, the media and other stakeholders through reports, press conferences, presentations, and other methods.

    In addition to these responsibilities, the incumbent will play an integral role in other activities, including developing and executing fundraising strategies; researching, evaluating and recommending new projects; disseminating and communicating project results; and being an overall team player in the development of a vibrant and entrepreneurial program.

    Requirements: We are seeking an individual with direct experience in the business and environmental sectors with a relevant graduate-level education. The general qualifications for this position are:

  • Masters degree or higher in economics, business administration, or environmental studies;

  • Five years experience in project management;

  • Understanding of or experience in business management or strategy, especially in the retail sector;

  • Excellent written and oral communications skills and the ability to work with colleagues and partners of varied backgrounds and experience;

  • Strong analytical skills and experience in performing rigorous analysis in support of highly visible work;

  • A broad understanding of environmental issues including the basic statutory and regulatory structure in the US, and lifecycle assessment;

  • Exceptional personal organization and attention to detail;

  • An ability to work both independently and as a member of small teams in a fast-paced, dynamic and creative environment; and

  • Relevant professional experience working on climate change issues in a business context, including the use of market mechanisms, leading-edge policy solutions, knowledge about the energy sector and efficiency opportunities in transportation and buildings a plus.

    Salary: Commensurate with experience.

    Please submit cover letter, resume, and salary requirements to:

    Cheryl L. Pickard, PHR
    Human Resources Generalist
    Environmental Defense
    1875 Connecticut Avenue, NW
    Washington, DC 20009
    Phone: (301) 706-4560
    Fax: (202) 387-1030
    Email: jobs@environmentaldefense.org

    Environmental Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, minorities and the physically challenged are encouraged to apply.

  • Environmental Defense Fund logo

    Environmental Defense Fund

    Environmental Defense Fund

    Environmental Defense Fund, a leading national nonprofit organization, represents more than 500,000 members. Since 1967, Environmental Defense Fund has linked science, economics, law and innovative private-sector partnerships to create breakthrough solutions to the most serious environmental problems. Environmental Defense Fund has a 20 year track record of success in partnering with business. To maintain its independence and credibility, EDF accepts no money from corporate partners; generous individuals and foundations fund its work. For more information, visit www.edf.org.

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