EDF+Business Overview

The food system accounts for around one-third of global climate impacts, and this will only increase as we work to feed a growing global population of 10 billion people. Methane emissions are a major part of these impacts but are mostly an under-realized strategy for climate action. The livestock sector must accelerate methane mitigation if the world is to slow the rate of climate change and avoid disastrous tipping points.

Food and agriculture companies have the resources and influence to play a critical role in bringing methane emission solutions into widespread practice across their global dairy supply chains. EDF’s work with the food and agriculture sector aims to 1) inspire leading companies to take action to prove new business models; 2) scale progress through collective action across industry; and 3) shape the rules and standards to ensure climate action is achievable and has maximum impact.

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Overall Function

Dairy Methane Action Alliance (DMAA) is a global initiative convened by EDF to spur action and accountability to drive down dairy methane emissions. With 8 major companies already signed on, it requires signatories to measure, report, and make a public action plan to reduce methane emissions, while providing the tools, resources and networks to unlock barriers and speed action.

The Project Manager, Dairy will support and advance dairy sector engagement and work with companies to maximize climate ambition, specifically around agricultural methane reductions. This position will focus on deploying the DMAA by building relationships with new companies and current signatories to support their engagement and actions within DMAA, planning events and convenings to support shared learning across participants, and onboarding new companies to methane action.

The Project Manager will be a critical part of the team ensuring DMAA participants succeed in delivering methane reductions. They will also showcase EDF’s expertise by participating in industry conferences and meetings to deepen existing relationships and forge new relationships. The Project Manager will also provide input to the dairy strategy of the Food and Forests team and help execute it.

The Project Manager reports to the Manager, Dairy Industry, EDF+Business.

Duration: This is a two-year fixed-term position with the possibility for extension.

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Key Responsibilities

• With guidance from Manager, Dairy Industry, support delivery of dairy strategy of the Food and Forests team focusing on the Dairy Methane Action Alliance (DMAA) and relevant project management.
• Develop work plans, negotiate project agreements and scopes of work, identify and procure necessary resources, and manage project work and deliverables.
• Develop and apply means to evaluate project success, recommend improvements, and communicate out relevant updates.
• Conduct outreach to the next set of priority companies for DMAA participation and ensure companies understand the requirements to participate.
• Spur corporate participation in DMAA by recruiting and on-boarding additional companies.
• Ensure continuous and deep engagement of DMAA participants by sharing EDF expertise and supporting their ability to meet their commitments.
• 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.
• Build and maintain internal and external relationships that cultivate trust, generate ideas, and support with advancing project goals.
• Support with refining project strategy to align with the team’s strategies and goals.
• Support the Marketing and Communications team with coordination, planning, and logistics for large meetings, conferences or flagship events at key stages like New York Climate Week, World Dairy Summit, etc., where EDF’s expertise is shared among high-profile stakeholders.
• Develop and conduct engaging presentations, as necessary.
• Represent EDF professionally at conferences or external meetings to small groups to deliver our core messages and build our thought-leadership on livestock sustainability.
• Forge strong internal collaborations with the Climate Smart Agriculture and Office of the Chief Scientist teams as a critical member of a cross-cutting team working on agricultural methane emissions.
• Work with internal team to identify corporate engagement goals and strategies to achieve overall EDF objectives.
• Evaluate projects, identify new opportunities, engage in thought-partnership, disseminate and communicate progress and outcomes.
• Additional relevant responsibilities as assigned.

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Qualifications

• 4+ years of experience of relevant work experience and a Bachelor’s degree required. An advanced degree may substitute for up to 2 years of experience.
• Strong project management skills with experience in project management required.
• Experience or foundational understanding of the dairy industry is preferred.
• Prior corporate sustainability/corporate experience is preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship building skills, with a demonstrated ability in building effective coalitions and partnership management.
• A broad understanding of food and agricultural supply chains, agricultural GHG emissions reduction opportunities, and corporate sustainability trends.
• Ability to work well independently as well as collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams while working on multiple projects concurrently, meeting deadlines, and responding quickly to changing opportunities.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and the ability to work with companies, colleagues, and external stakeholders of varied backgrounds and experience, including the ability to translate scientific and technical concepts for private sector audiences.
• Proactive, exceptional personal organization, attentive to detail, and strong problem solving skills.
• Possess a high degree of diplomacy to influence and manage key stakeholders and teams and bring constituents together toward a common goal.
• Demonstrated self-awareness, cultural competency and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across diverse cultures and backgrounds.
• Highly proficient computer skills, including MS Office Outlook, Word, PowerPoint and Excel.
• Ability to travel up to 20% of the time (as appropriate given COVID).
• An understanding of and commitment to Environmental Defense Fund’s mission of protecting the natural environment and limiting humankind’s impact on the planet.

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Salary & Benefits

$72,000 - $77,000 USD/Yr.

We offer a strong total rewards package encompassing competitive salary, robust benefits, and professional development opportunities consistent with a modern global organization. We take into account factors such as candidate experience, skills, training, internal team equity and local norms.

Please note that pay ranges are country specific. As a result, the stated currency is not meant be converted into any other currency.

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Location

This position may either be fully remote or hybrid out of one of EDF's U.S. offices.