Director, Global Livestock Methane

Duration

This is a fixed-term position with an end date of September 30, 2027, with the possibility of extension

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Location

This position may be located the U.S., Belgium, or the Netherlands remotely or hybrid out of one of our offices in the U.S. or Brussels. For U.S. candidates, there is a preference for those located in the eastern time zone, though candidates located in other time zones will be considered.

Overall Function

Methane is expected to cause nearly half of the projected temperature rises due to new greenhouse gas emissions over the next two decades. Agriculture is one of the largest sources of human-caused methane emissions globally (approximately 40%), and livestock alone account for approximately one-third of human-caused methane emissions . Solutions exist today that allow intensive livestock systems to reduce methane emissions, including enteric fermentation interventions and certain manure management technologies but significant barriers exist before farmers will adopt these technologies. The Director, Global Livestock Methane, will drive EDF’s workplan to eliminate these barriers.

The Director, Global Livestock Methane, will be an important member of a cross-cutting team at EDF to drive livestock methane reduction strategies globally. This role will help develop and drive implementation of EDF’s livestock methane strategy within EDF’s Climate-Smart Ag team and Agriculture, Water & Food program. The Director will lead on delivery of assigned portions of EDF’s agriculture methane program goals related to livestock emissions, enabling EDF’s continued action on the agriculture methane agenda. They will implement a strong global strategy and connect dots across the organization to ensure effective teamwork and management.

The Director will report to the AVP, Global Agriculture Methane.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop a focused strategy on reducing livestock methane emissions within the assigned portfolio and execute the strategy through engagement with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Develop and manage annual workplans for global advocacy work and co-develop the workplans for EDF’s relevant core regions (U.S., China, and the EU) with the region leads, ensuring work plans are interrelated, build upon each other, and lead with science, economics, corporate partnerships, and effective policy, culminating in culturally appropriate targeted advocacy.
• Ensure successful completion of assigned donor related deliverables to advance action on livestock methane.
• Identify and engage with government, livestock sector, corporate, and other leaders on the importance of livestock methane strategies, and build cross-sector support for just and effective livestock methane strategies.
• Participate in advancing EDF’s organizational effectiveness and culture goals, so people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected, included and empowered to address environmental and organizational challenges in ways that align with EDF values.
• Effectively communicate progress, challenges, and opportunities by translating complex methane mitigation goals into compelling narratives for stakeholders, board members, EDF senior leadership, and other internal and external audiences.
• Represent and position EDF as a thought-leader in high-level panels, conferences, and direct engagements.
• Serve as a leader for the Agriculture Methane team, including managing and mentoring staff (both assigned direct reports and other team members) and supporting professional development of junior staff across the team.
• Identify and oversee consultants and coordinate with staff and partners to ensure aligned execution of work to achieve results.
• Build and manage budgets across assigned projects and work closely with financial and operations team members on budget matters.
• Courageously advance the Agriculture Methane program’s commitment to bringing all stakeholders to the table to advance climate solutions that are locally appropriate.
• Play a key role in fundraising, including drafting proposals, tracking and reporting progress, and other assigned functions.
• Additional relevant responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

• 10+ years related professional experience and a Bachelor’s degree required. A Master’s degree may substitute for up to two years of experience.
• Demonstrated experience developing and executing strategies, including managing a matrixed team of experts and effectively working with consultants to deliver results.
• Strong people management skills with experience effectively managing and building skills of direct reports.
• Deep technical knowledge of livestock systems and expertise in some combination of greenhouse gas mitigation efforts, carbon markets and investment, translating research and innovation to action, and farmer engagement.
• Proven results from advocacy in the environmental and agricultural policy sectors.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively with technical and non-technical audiences.
• Strong planning and budget experience and skills.
• Demonstrated ability to learn quickly and apply new concepts to strategic planning and recommendations.
• Proactive, detail oriented, well-organized, and able to plan and execute projects from conception to completion.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship building skills, demonstrated capacity to bring varied constituents together toward a common goal, build strategic relationships, and successfully advocate for environmental issues.
• Ability to work well independently as well as collaboratively with cross-functional teams spread across multiple time zones.
• Demonstrated self-awareness, cultural competency and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across all cultures and backgrounds.
• Willingness and ability to engage in travel, including international travel, up to 25% of time.

Compensation

• US 134,000 - 141,000 USD annual
• Belgium: 100,000 - 107,000 EUR annual
• Netherlands 92,000 - 102,000 EUR annual