Senior Director, Standards and Market Access

Sustainable Forestry Initiative

12d•$125,000 - $160,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Director, Standards reports to the Senior VP, Customer Affairs. This position supports SFI’s efforts to ensure and advance global relevancy and responsible forestry by ensuring the ongoing integrity of SFI’s Standards and Modules. Additionally, the role provides technical and strategic support to ensure the SFI Standards reduce risk in the supply chain, ensure sustainable forest management, and respond to marketplace needs through customer and investor engagement. The Senior Director also leads SFI’s standard revision process and manages endorsement activities with PEFC.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in forestry, environmental science, business, or related fields, from an accredited college or university required, Master's degree preferred
At least 10 years of experience in forestry and forest certification sector required.
Deep knowledge of sustainable forest management practices and certification systems (e.g., SFI, FSC, PEFC) required
Strong public speaking, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills required.
Experience working with diverse groups, including Indigenous communities, government agencies, and NGOs required.
Familiarity with public policy, particularly as it relates to forestry, climate change, and natural resource management required.
Oversees discrete projects or programs from start to finish, seeking the support and input from others and managing consultants as warranted
Applies a critical, strategic, and analytical approach to work, dissecting issues, applying expertise and judgment, and identifying root causes and possible solutions
Excels at data and information synthesis and clear communications related to that synthesis
Develops and implements programs and policies to cultivate a positive, collaborative and respectful culture and consistently models these behaviors
Comfortably operates in nuanced situations or potentially ambiguous or uncertain situations
Effectively presents to external parties on SFI’s work across all pillars
Ability to work in a team environment, take initiative, assess priorities and multi-task, and competently perform a variety of activities with a high level of accuracy and within a fast-paced work setting
Excellent organizational and time management skills
Requires ability to respect confidentiality and exercise discretion with sensitive and privileged information

Nice To Haves

French, Spanish, or other language proficiency a plus.

Responsibilities

Lead the Integrity, Development, and Maintenance of SFI Standards
Serve as SFI staff lead on all strategic and technical aspects of the SFI 2022 Forest Management Standard, SFI 2022 Fiber Sourcing Standard, and SFI 2022 Chain of Custody Standard.
Lead SFI’s Auditor Certification and Accreditation functions, including managing the SFI Auditors Forum, responding to auditor accreditation questions, coordinating responses to complaints, and overseeing interpretations and guidance requests from Certified Organizations, Certification Bodies, Accreditation Bodies, and other stakeholders.
Oversee the SFI Standard Revision Process, including facilitating committee meetings, managing the public comment process, and leading all related webinars.
Support growth in the number of organizations certified to the SFI Forest Management, Fiber Sourcing, and Chain of Custody Standards by meeting with new and potential certified organizations.
Drive Market Access and Alignment with Customers and Global Frameworks
Build and strengthen relationships with key stakeholders, including but not limited to governments, Indigenous communities, conservation organizations, woodlot owners, forest product industries, and environmental NGOs.
Engage directly with customers and supply-chain partners to support and expand market access for SFI Certified Organizations.
Represent SFI at sustainability events, international forums, and related dialogues, including public speaking and participation in task groups and committees.
Engage with global sustainability frameworks and consortiums to ensure alignment and integration with SFI Standard requirements with guidance from Senior VP, Costumer Affairs.
Advance the visibility, market acceptance, and specific demand for SFI in emerging investor and business innovation opportunities.
Lead Technical Communications, Capacity Building, and Strategic Support for SFI Implementation
Lead the SFI endorsement process with PEFC, ensure continued international credibility of SFI Standards, and represent SFI on PEFC task groups and committees related to meta-standards and global alignment.
Develop and oversee technical guidance materials, FAQs, interpretations, training modules, and other resources to support consistent implementation of SFI Standards.
Provide technical expertise to SFI staff, certified organizations, certification bodies, and external partners on standard requirements and implementation expectations.
Serve as the technical lead for SFI’s external communications on standards, including content development for reports, web updates, briefings, and customer-facing materials.
Support internal teams: Communications, Conservation, Urban & Community Forestry, and Education with technical input to ensure consistent and accurate representation of SFI Standards.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your family.
Retirement plan with generous employer contribution and additional matching contribution up to 11% of your salary, provided you also contribute 4%.
Paid Time Off – generous vacation policy ranging from 2 weeks to 5 weeks, increasing with experience, all federal holidays, plus 4 floating holidays annually that may be used to observe additional religious, cultural, or traditional occasions that are meaningful to you, and 12 sick days annually.
Educational assistance and investment in professional development.

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