Circular Economy Program Manager in Reston, Virginia

Global corporate sustainability is a rapidly evolving area with abundant opportunity and high demand for environmental solutions in carbon, water, waste, and biodiversity. With this backdrop, Microsoft’s Corporate External and Legal Affairs (CELA) Environmental Sustainability (ES) team coordinates overall science-based, measurable, and scalable sustainability investments and outcomes across the company – engaging with business groups to set goals for reducing the environmental impacts of business operations and increasing positive environmental outcomes from technology and policy development. This team is focused on driving progress in global sustainability by enabling Microsoft, customers, and the world to achieve critical environmental outcomes.  

 

On Microsoft’s Circular Economy Team, we seek a curiosity-driven individual in the role of Circular Economy Program Manager. This role will focus on executing plans in support of our Zero Waste by 2030 targets, including market development and related accounting methodologies, as well as working across internal Microsoft teams to identify circular economy solutions and drive transformation. This position requires extensive cross-group coordination, materials and waste accounting acumen, a deep understanding of implementing circular economy programs in a highly matrixed organization and with external partners, communication skills, a sharp focus on business and process improvements, the ability to develop and apply compelling data-driven insights to cross-industry initiatives, and personal commitment to meaningful climate action. This role will directly contribute to Microsoft’s zero waste by 2030 goal. 

 

Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. As employees we come together with a growth mindset, innovate to empower others and collaborate to realize our shared goals. Each day we build on our values of respect, integrity, and accountability to create a culture of inclusion where everyone can thrive at work and beyond.  

  

#CELA

Responsibilities

*Operational Execution: *

• Coordinate a cross-functional team of internal stakeholders to execute plans in support of Microsoft’s Zero Waste by 2030 targets. Look across Microsoft organization and recommend how to unify different initiatives to ensure we are delivering on our Zero Waste target efficiently. 

• Develop and orchestrate execution of external projects that support Microsoft in achieving its Zero Waste by 2030 target. Partner with teams across the company to identify and quantify challenging materials. Establish external partners who offer circular pathways. 

• Advise on solutions, investment opportunities, and policies for markets with limited material management infrastructure. 

• Track and analyze relevant global trends related to a circular economy for operations, packaging, and electronics to inform plans in support of target achievement. 

   

*Circular Economy Accounting: *

• Support internal circular economy accounting methodologies related to materials and waste. 

• Track evolving policies, regulations, and industry standards to ensure accounting methods, boundaries, and definitions for materials and waste targets continue to stay in alignment. 

• Work with external standards bodies to advance a common and well-defined framework for circular economy-related metrics and methodologies.  

• Drive cross-company best practices to improve data maturity on materials and waste accounting. 

   

*Special Projects: *

• Advise and provide technical expertise to the Senior Circular Economy Manager on aspects of the program, including program development, technical standards, and reporting. Stay current on the latest developments in circularity and materials management, including monitoring and analyzing the competitive landscape, tracking emerging trends, and surfacing opportunities for improvement.  

• Drive high-impact cross-team projects as needed to meet the changing business environment and ensure the company is achieving its commitments. 

• Successful project management, including work with strategy consultants and other external agencies, on strategic efforts requiring hands-on experience across multiple business organizations. 

• Support team rhythm of business: coordinate regular reviews of circular economy project pipeline and progress against annual objectives and key results (OKRs). 

* *

*Environmental Justice:  *  

• Embed environmental justice considerations into programmatic activities, where relevant.

Other

• Embody our culture and values

Qualifications

Required/Minimum Qualifications   

• Bachelor’s Degree AND 4+ years work experience in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Philanthropies, Corporate Affairs, Government Affairs, Business and International Development, or related area

• OR Master’s Degree AND 3+ years work experience in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Philanthropies, Corporate Affairs, Government Affairs, Business and International Development, or related area

• OR equivalent experience.

• 3+ years of experience in circular economy or zero waste program/project management. 

   

Additional or Preferred Qualifications   

• Bachelor’s Degree AND 8+ years work experience in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Philanthropies, Corporate Affairs, Government Affairs, Business and International Development, or related area

• OR Master’s Degree AND 6+ years work experience in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Philanthropies, Corporate Affairs, Government Affairs, Business and International Development, or related area

• OR equivalent experience.

• 3+ years experience managing a corporate social responsibility (CSR) or related program.

• 2+ years of experience working in or with a large, matrixed organization. 

• Proven track record of delivering results in cross-company collaborative sustainability projects.  

• Depth of knowledge of circular economy fundamentals, including key areas of materials and waste accounting, policy, regulations, standards, and literature.  

• Demonstrated experience and expertise in advising and working with circular economy and sustainability professionals.  

• Analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, with ability to synthesize complex information and provide clear and actionable recommendations. 

• Communicate effectively and concisely with stakeholders and leaders about our programs and objectives.  

• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and self-motivated, with ability to manage multiple projects and priorities effectively.  Collaborative, adaptable, and resilient, with a positive and proactive attitude.  

• Demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion.  

    

Corporate Social Responsibility IC4 – The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $103,800 – $200,300 per year. There is a different range applicable to specific work locations, within the San Francisco Bay area and New York City metropolitan area, and the base pay range for this role in those locations is USD $133,700 – $219,200 per year.

Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here: https://careers.microsoft.com/us/en/us-corporate-pay

Microsoft will accept applications for the role until October 24, 2024.

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. Consistent with applicable law, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations (https://careers.microsoft.com/v2/global/en/accessibility.html) .