Job Description

Cox Enterprises is hiring a Director Environmental Sustainability – Waste & Recycling to join our team! The Director of Environmental Sustainability – Waste & Recycling drives Cox Conserves' enterprise-wide waste management strategy to achieve the company’s ambitious Zero Waste to Landfill (ZWTL) goal. This highly visible leadership role encompasses strategy development, operational oversight, and stakeholder engagement across business units, acquisitions, and the Cox Farms initiative. The director will manage waste reduction, diversion, and verification efforts, collaborating with cross-functional teams and external partners to align sustainability goals with business objectives while enhancing Cox’s leadership in environmental stewardship.

This role is critical to achieving Cox’s public sustainability commitments, reducing environmental impact, and establishing the company as a leader in innovative waste management and resource efficiency practices.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership : Develop and implement the ZWTL strategy across all Cox business units, acquisitions, and Cox Farms, ensuring alignment with corporate sustainability goals.

• Collaboration and Influence : Partner with C-suite and VP-level leaders across divisions to advance waste management initiatives and the broader Cox Conserves vision.

• Operational Oversight : Lead internal teams and external vendors, including Rubicon Global, to optimize waste management systems, improve efficiency, and reduce costs.

• Waste Diversion and Verification : Direct efforts to reduce discarded materials, increase recycling and composting, and ensure compliance with third-party validation for zero waste claims.

• Data Management and Reporting : Oversee waste-related governance, data assurance, and external reporting, ensuring transparency and alignment with ESG frameworks.

• Stakeholder Engagement : Represent Cox’s waste strategy and achievements at industry conferences, in public forums, and with NGOs, regulatory bodies, and external partners.

• Financial Management : Manage an annual budget of $10M+ and oversee 120M+ pounds of materials, driving annual waste savings of 10–20%.

Qualifications

Required :

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering, Sustainability, or a related field and 10 years of related experience.

• Expertise in ESG reporting and sustainability certifications (e.g., GRI, CDP, LEED, TRUE).

• Proven leadership in managing cross-functional teams and vendors.

• Excel at managing teams, presenting and distilling to an executive audience.

• 5+ years of supervisory experience with demonstrated success in project and team management.

• Preferred :

• Master’s degree in a relevant field.

• Experience in global sustainability practices and frameworks (e.g., CSRD, UN SDGs).

• SWANA, TRUE, ISSP, or similar certifications.

Key Skills

• Strong strategic planning, operational management, and project execution abilities.

• Expertise in zero waste strategies, waste technology solutions, and ESG alignment.

• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence senior leadership.

• Proven ability to manage complex, high-impact projects and vendor relationships.

• Deep understanding of regulated industries and environmental risk management.

Working Conditions

• Requires up to 15%- 25% travel to various business locations and external engagements.

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