Senior Project Lead for Sustainability

We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Project Lead for Sustainability at UL Standards & Engagement. This is a hybrid opportunity with on-site work required at one of our locations in Northbrook, Illinois (or), RTP (or), Ottawa, Canada.  The Senior Project Lead for Sustainability will lead standards development working with subject matter experts in the Circular Economy, Environmental Management, Recycled Content, and Zero Waste to Landfill (ZWTL), Technical Panels and Technical Committees to advance technical content of sustainability standards to accomplish strategic and operational goals of UL Standards & Engagement (ULSE). The Senior Standards Specialist will leverage expertise, experience, and stakeholder networks to provide technical relevance, anticipate issues, recognize patterns, and introduce solutions.

Underwriters Laboratories 

At UL Research Institutes and UL Standards & Engagement (UL) (Pick one or both organizations), we wake up every day with a common purpose: to make the world a safer, more secure and sustainable place. Science is in our DNA; we are edlessly curious and passionate about seeking and speaking the truth. We take delight in knowing that our work makes a meaningful contribution to society, and we are proud that our culture is centered on integrity, collaboration, inclusion and excellence. UL stands at the forefront of technological advancement, and we are continually challenged to find new ways to foster innovation and positive change. Satisfying? Yes. Exciting? Absolutely! 

As the Senior Project Lead for Sustainability, you will play a key role in the rapid growth of UL as you: 

• Lead standards development activities utilizing networks, expertise and knowledge of accreditation and internal business requirements to advance technical content of sustainability standards.
• Research program expansion opportunities related to the standards sustainability portfolio, both domestic and international.
• Stay apprised of technical trends and developments including regulatory changes.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to identify opportunities focused on emerging sustainability concerns.
• Manage implementation of medium to large scale projects.
• Provide guidance and support to project team members.
• Primary point of contact on project related activities, issues, etc. Manages project risks and escalates accordingly.
• Plan overall project and monitor progress throughout project lifecycle. Coordinates project and interdependencies.
• Facilitate round table discussions and workshops with internal and external stakeholders.
• Identify, develop, and maintain relationships with stakeholders.
• Contribute to the program management associated with assigned standards, providing input and recommendations to Program Managers related to their portfolio of standards.
• Perform other duties as directed

While no one candidate will embody every quality, the successful candidate will bring many of the following professional competencies and personal attributes: 

• Solid technical knowledge and experience of science, engineering and sustainability industry.
• Strong project management, initiative, attention to detail, and influence skills to create alignment with multiple stakeholders and deliver results in a matrix organization.
• Demonstrated ability to apply sustainability concepts and research into practice, such as Circular Economy initiatives and ZWTL.
• Demonstrated ability to clearly communicate complex ideas, present results, and translate technical requirements to both technical and non-technical audiences and various levels of management and stakeholder groups.
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills.
• Strong facilitation, collaboration, negotiation, and presentation skills.
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal
• Positive and collaborative interpersonal skills to work effectively with leaders and colleagues across the organization.
• Engaging and approachable facilitator to lead and develop high performing collaborative workgroups, focused on process and results.
• Must be a self-starter and possess excellent leadership qualities.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint

 Professional education and experience requirements for the role include: 

• A University degree in Science, Environmental Science, Engineering or related discipline.
• Minimum 6 years of related experience in project plan development, management and implementation.
• Experience working in the sustainability field in areas like Circular Economy, Environmental Management, ZWTL, Recycled Content, etc.
• Experience implementing sustainability requirements and research into practice.
• Familiarity with US and Canadian Standards and Codes, various national, regional and international standardization bodies, a plus.
• Knowledge of the conformity assessment industry.

UL has COVID-19 protocols and policies in place to ensure the safety of our employees, customers and clients. Effective November 1, 2021, the company mandates that employees are vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment (except where prohibited by law), subject to reasonable accommodation as required by law. 

• Mission: For UL, corporate and social responsibility isn’t new. Making the world a safer, more secure and sustainable place has been our business model for the last 128 years and is deeply ingrained in everything we do. 
• People: Ask any UL employee what they love most about working here, and you’ll almost always hear, “the people.” Going beyond what is possible is the standard at UL. We’re able to deliver the best because we employ the best. 
• Interesting work: Every day is different for us here as we eagerly anticipate the next innovation that our customers’ create. We’re inspired to take on the challenge that will transform how people live, work and play. And as a global company, in many roles, you will get international experience working with colleagues around the world. 
• Grow & achieve: We learn, work and grow together with targeted development, reward and recognition programs as well as our very own UL University that offers extensive training programs for employees at all stages, including a technical training track for applicable roles. 
• Total Rewards: All employees at UL Research Institutes and UL Standards & Engagement are eligible for bonus compensation. We offer comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans. a generous 401k matching structure of up to 5% of eligible pay. Additionally, we invest an additional 4% into your retirement saving fund after your first year of continuous employment. Depending on your role, you can work with your manager on flexible working arrangements. We also provide employees with paid time off including vacation, holiday, sick and volunteer time off. 

UL Standards & Engagement is a nonprofit organizations dedicated to advancing safety science research through the discovery and application of scientific knowledge. We conduct rigorous independent research and analyze safety data, convene experts worldwide to address risks, share knowledge through safety education and public outreach initiatives, and develop standards to guide safe commercialization of evolving technologies. We foster communities of safety, from grassroots initiatives for neighborhoods to summits of world leaders. Our organization employs collaborative and scientific approaches with partners and stakeholders to drive innovation and progress toward improving safety, security, and sustainability, ultimately enhancing societal well-being.  

Our wholly owned subsidiary, UL Solutions, advances our shared public safety mission. We fund our work through grants, the licensing of standards documents and the business activities of UL Solutions, which conducts testing, verification and certification, and provides training and advisory services, along with data-driven reporting and decision-making tools for customers around the world. 

To learn more, visit our websites UL.org and ULSE.org.