Position

The mission of the Strategic Council Director - Sustainable Use of Plastics is as follows:

• In close collaboration with Plastics Europe’s members, develop and lead the strategy and action plans for a safe and sustainable use of plastics, and maximise its positive contribution to sustainable, circular, healthy society and growing economies
• Advise the Managing Director, the Steering Board and Directors of Advocacy, Communications and other Strategic Councils in the development of positions, advocacy proposals and strategic activities to ensure that these meet the requirements of the Association’s strategy.
• Engage with key stakeholders (Technical & non-Technical) and lead initiatives on the safety of plastics and environmental, societal, and economic benefits of using plastics in alignment with the advocacy and communications strategies.
• Lead the development of robust health and environment impact assessments of plastics, with particular focus on microplastics. Initiating in-depth scientific studies and sharing experiences to provide valuable knowledge to members and facilitate continuous enhancements of the benefits provided by plastics.
• Foster a culture of transparency, outreach and constructive engagement with stakeholders and develop clear measures to track the positive contribution of plastics to society
• Foster strategic direction and management of ‘Sustainable use of Plastics’ projects and initiatives in close collaboration with members. This includes long-term projects such as BRIGID (microplastics & health).

The main roles and responsibilities are to:

• Develop and lead the implementation of a Plastics Industry Strategy to accelerate the sustainable use of plastics, including overseeing from a safety standpoint the activities in packaging, building & construction and automotive
• Develop, steer, and implement strategies agreed by the members of the Strategic Council on Sustainable use of plastics and meet the goals and objectives of the Steering Board. Integrate these into the European Plastics Industry strategy by working closely with the Strategy Councils on Climate and Production, and on End-of-Life and Circularity.
• Translate the approved strategies into objectives, plans, resources, and budgets
• Engage with members and drive consensus towards positions on issues of common interest with aim to promote safety and transparency
• Propose, agree, and implement a stakeholder engagement process in close collaboration with Advocacy & Communications. This includes the engagement with selected value chain partners, academia, NGOs, …
• Maintain and reinforce a network of relevant contacts and establish effective working relationships with the value chain, interest groups, decision makers, and representatives within EU institutions and other stakeholders.
• Meet the Strategic Council’s goals by establishing and using all necessary processes to manage the expectations of and build consensus with members around key issues at stake
• Coordinate activities on relevant technical and scientific affairs related to plastics chemicals regulations including safety of microplastics and additives.
• Coordinate long-term projects such as BRIGID, including relations at global level with other international chemical associations
• Identify risks and opportunities in the policy & scientific landscape relevant for the development of the strategic goal with the help of the Sustainable Use team and the Strategic council members
• Initiate and lead Task Forces in shaping policy messages and positions in close collaboration and co-decision process with Advocacy and Communications Committees
• Act as a spokesperson for PlasticsEurope and represent its positions and interests towards stakeholders (e.g. decision-makers, etc.)
• As a member of Plastics Europe’s Leadership Team, take co-accountability and ownership for the overall management of Plastics Europe to ensure achievement of goals, budget control, member satisfaction

Profile 

• A highly experienced professional who has an university degree (master/MBA) and at least 7 to 10 years of business management experience with decision-making responsibilities at a senior level
• You have working experience within international chemical/plastics companies (especially on sustainability and safety of plastics), within consultancy environments and / or working experience with associations
• You have a passion for sustainability and circularity
• You are an excellent networker with well-developed social and cross-cultural skills. You have the capacity to build strong relationships with others, demonstrating strong emotional intelligence and an ability to communicate clearly and with impact.
• You have a strong strategic, flexible, diplomatic mind-set with excellent ability to lead with impact. In addition you possess outstanding interpersonal, strong verbal and written communication and negotiation skills
• You are a self-confident, balanced and constructively critical individual with a positive attitude
• You are fluent in English and preferably in at least one other European language
• You are open to travel in the EU on a regular basis
• You report to the CEO and are in close contact with representatives of our members

Offer

• A high level senior position in a growing organization with impact on society
• A competitive salary package in line with your professional background

Interested?