VP, Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability

Rayonier•Atlanta, GA

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

We are seeking a Vice President of Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability to lead our comprehensive ESG strategy. In this role, you will shape and advance the organization’s enterprise-wide sustainability strategy, ensuring tight alignment with overall business objectives while driving long-term value creation. Reporting to the SVP, Chief Sustainability Officer, you will drive our success across several critical areas: Strategic Executive Leader: Translate enterprise goals into clear priorities, targets, and governance structures that drive measurable ESG outcomes. Sustainability Champion: Integrate net-zero climate strategies and forest certification standards into our core business strategy, leveraging them as drivers of timberland asset value and long-term differentiation. Governance & Compliance Monitor: Assess emerging global regulations, disclosure requirements, and industry standards, recommending proactive policies to safeguard long-term business resilience. Collaborative Advisor & Storyteller: Steward the company's sustainability narrative to ensure credible messaging across public and investor channels, while acting as a trusted advisor to executive leadership and the Board.

Requirements

A Bachelor’s degree in sustainability, environmental science, business, communications, corporate responsibility, or a related field.
A minimum of twelve (12) years of progressive experience in sustainability, corporate responsibility, environmental strategy, natural capital, or conservation finance, including demonstrated executive-level leadership.
Proven experience advising senior executives and Boards of Directors on sustainability risks, opportunities, and disclosures.
Deep understanding of sustainability reporting frameworks (e.g., ISSB, GRI, TCFD, TNFD, CDP), climate/environmental metrics, regulatory trends, and data assurance practices.
Familiarity with forest certification standards (SFI, FSC), working forests, and natural capital or carbon market mechanisms.
Strong oversight of systems and processes for collecting, validating, and analyzing complex data.
Exceptional strategic thinking, leadership presence, communication, and influence skills, with the proven ability to drive alignment and accountability across a complex organization.
A deep background in climate risks, forest certification, and sustainability frameworks, alongside a track record of advising senior executives and Board directors.
Ready to drive accountability across a complex organization and shape the sustainable future of our enterprise.

Nice To Haves

An advanced degree or relevant professional certifications are preferred.

Responsibilities

Oversee forest certification, chain of custody, and traceability programs (e.g., SFI, FSC, EUDR), including all internal and external audits.
Support initiatives related to climate change mitigation, biodiversity, conservation, habitat protection, and restoration.
Monitor evolving wood products sustainability standards, including Life Cycle Assessments (LCA), Environmental Product Declarations (EPD), and green building codes.
Provide executive oversight into sustainability reporting frameworks (e.g., GRI, IFRS, TNFD), regulatory filings, and external disclosures.
Direct the measurement of key sustainability metrics, including forest carbon removals, natural capital, and Scope 1, 2, and 3 greenhouse gas emissions.
Lead climate-related risk analyses and integrate findings into enterprise risk management (ERM) while continually improving systems to secure favorable third-party ratings (e.g., ISS, Sustainalytics, CDP).
Partner with Operations, Legal, HR, Investor Relations, Communications, Safety, and Public Affairs to embed ESG into day-to-day strategic decision-making.
Represent the company as the primary face of sustainability with external stakeholders, including investors, rating organizations, regulators, and community partners.
Build organizational capability and drive accountability for ESG metrics across all business units.