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Director Of Sustainability Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Job Title: Director of Sustainability Department: Donated Goods Program (DGP) Reports To: Sr. Director of Post Retail Operations FLSA Status: Exempt Mission Support: Goodwill Houston (GWH) is ...

... Director of Sustainability. In this position, you'll lead the company's efforts in promoting and implementing sustainable practices in the built environment. As part of a collaborative culture, you ...

Summary As Head of Sustainability, you'll set the vision and lead the charge across Chobani's most important environmental frontiers - climate, water, waste, packaging, and responsible sourcing. You ...

Sustainability Director

Denver, CO · On-site

$185 - $215/hr

We're in the midst of the greatest industrial revolution of our time. The demand for AI compute is boundless, and power is a bottleneck. We're solving that -- with an energy-first approach that makes ...

Sustainability Director

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$240 - $285/hr

We're in the midst of the greatest industrial revolution of our time. The demand for AI compute is boundless, and power is a bottleneck. We're solving that -- with an energy-first approach that makes ...

Sustainability Director

Atlanta, GA · On-site

$180 - $260/hr

* Set the strategic direction and lead governance, execution, and continuous evolution of GPI ... Coach, mentor, manage performance, and develop direct reports and global sustainability teams

Sustainability Director

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$240 - $285/hr

We're in the midst of the greatest industrial revolution of our time. The demand for AI compute is boundless, and power is a bottleneck. We're solving that -- with an energy-first approach that makes ...

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How much do director of sustainability jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for director of sustainability in the United States is $344,742.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $281,000.00 and $400,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a director of sustainability do?

A Director of Sustainability is responsible for developing and implementing strategies to help an organization operate in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. This role involves overseeing sustainability initiatives, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations, and promoting practices that reduce the company's environmental impact. They also work closely with other departments to integrate sustainability into business operations, set goals for energy use, waste reduction, and resource conservation, and report on the organization’s sustainability performance to stakeholders.

What does a director of sustainability do?

As a director of sustainability, your role is to create company policies that impact your organization's environmental sustainability standards. Your responsibilities in this role revolve around ecology and how your company can lower its pollution of the environment surrounding it. You may create a new policy that helps to monitor this impact, or you may change existing policies to do the same. Your duties involve increasing the sustainability of the organization as a whole, from manufacturing processes, to supply chain, and all the way through to customer service and technology. You are the expert in sustainability and the go-to for individuals inside and outside the company with questions on the subject.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director of sustainability?

To thrive as a Director Of Sustainability, you need a strong background in environmental science or related fields, strategic planning skills, and often an advanced degree. Familiarity with sustainability frameworks (such as GRI or LEED), data analysis tools, and compliance with environmental regulations is crucial. Exceptional leadership, stakeholder engagement, and communication skills set top candidates apart in driving organizational change. These competencies are vital for developing effective sustainability strategies, ensuring regulatory compliance, and fostering a culture of environmental responsibility.

What are some common challenges faced by a director of sustainability when implementing new initiatives across an organization?

A Director of Sustainability often encounters challenges such as gaining buy-in from various stakeholders, integrating sustainability practices into existing operations, and balancing short-term costs with long-term benefits. Navigating organizational change requires strong communication and project management skills to align cross-functional teams and ensure everyone understands the value of sustainability efforts. Additionally, measuring and reporting on sustainability metrics can be complex, requiring the development of effective tracking systems and collaboration with data and compliance teams.

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Infographic showing various Director Of Sustainability job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 85% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $344,742 per year, or $165.7 per hour.

Director of Sustainability

Goodwill of Houston

TX • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 6 days ago


Job description

Job Title: Director of Sustainability
Department: Donated Goods Program (DGP)
Reports To: Sr. Director of Post Retail Operations
FLSA Status: Exempt
Mission Support:
Goodwill Houston (GWH) is transforming lives by connecting people to opportunities that advance the future of work. Through education, training, and employment, we create pathways to success for individuals facing employment barriers. We empower people, strengthen families, and impact communities by addressing both immediate and future workforce needs. With the generous support of our donors and retail customers, we are changing lives through the power of work.
Position Summary:
Leads the strategy, operations, and continuous improvement of all salvage, waste, and recycling activities across GWH. Owns the P&L for the salvage and waste function, with direct accountability for maximizing value recovery from donated goods and diverting materials from landfills. Provides strategic leadership to the Salvage department, drives vendor and market development, ensures operational excellence, and partners cross-functionally to optimize the end-of-life value chain for donated goods.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
  • Direct the overall strategy for salvage, waste, and recycling operations to maximize value recovery and landfill diversion on an ongoing basis.
  • Own the P&L for salvage and waste activities, including accountability for revenue targets, expense management, and overall financial performance of the function.
  • Develop and execute annual operating plans, budgets, and continuous improvement initiatives aligned with organizational goals.
  • Provide strategic recommendations to senior leadership on commodity market trends, new revenue opportunities, and operational investments.
  • Oversee all salvage, waste, and recycling department activities to ensure efficient, safe, and profitable operations.
  • Ensure accurate record-keeping of inventory, commodity sales, revenue, weights, and schedules across all locations.
  • Coordinate with transportation leadership to optimize load planning, routing, and timely shipment of salvage goods from all GWH locations.
  • Monitor and improve production reporting, load accuracy, and operational metrics to drive efficiency and value recovery.
  • Implement strategies and processes that continuously reduce waste volumes and associated disposal costs while maximizing commodity revenue.
  • Provide direct leadership, coaching, and performance management to the Salvage Operations Manager and Salvage Coordinators.
  • Select, train, develop, and mentor team members to ensure safe, efficient, and mission-aligned operations.
  • Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and professional development within the salvage and sustainability function.
  • Direct huddles and operational meetings as needed to communicate expectations, share updates, and reinforce safety and compliance standards.
  • Build, maintain, and expand strategic relationships with external vendors and buyers to maximize returns on salvage and recyclable commodities.
  • Continuously research and develop new markets, outlets, and processing partners for hard-to-place or emerging commodity streams.
  • Negotiate favorable terms, monitor vendor performance, and ensure timely collection of receivables in coordination with Accounts Receivable.
  • Evaluate market conditions and competitor positioning (including other Goodwill agencies) to ensure maximum value for salvage and recyclable goods.
  • Establish, track, and report on key performance indicators related to value recovery, landfill diversion, revenue, expenses, and operational efficiency.
  • Ensure all operations comply with local, state, and federal environmental, safety, and transportation regulations.
  • Maintain accurate and timely reporting on salvage sales, weights, trash hauling costs, and other operational metrics as required by leadership.
  • Ensure incidents, near-misses, and property damage are reported timely and that corrective actions are implemented.
  • Partner with Transportation, Retail, Aftermarket, and other departments to optimize the flow, processing, and end-of-life handling of donated goods.
  • Provide training and guidance to retail and aftermarket leadership on salvage commodities, processes, and waste diversion opportunities.
  • Collaborate with leadership on contingency planning, process improvements, and initiatives that support organizational sustainability and operational goals.
  • Perform other duties as directed by management to support evolving organizational needs.

Additional Responsibilities:
  • Demonstrate professionalism, good judgment, and present a friendly, cooperative attitude.
  • Ability to multitask, make quick decisions, adapt to change, and collaborate effectively in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
  • Adheres to all GWH Policies & Procedures, Loss Prevention & Safety Regulations, and GWH Guiding Principles.
  • Must be punctual, maintain a professional appearance, and perform expected duties.
  • Maintain a high level of confidentiality.
  • Must perform all duties according to GWH safety procedures, maintain good housekeeping standards, and ensure all walkways are clear and free of clutter.
  • Adheres to local, state, and federal laws and regulations.

Minimum Qualifications:
  • A master's degree in sustainability, environmental science, business, operations management, supply chain, or a related field is strongly preferred; relevant professional experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
  • A bachelor's degree is required.
  • Five (5) or more years of progressive experience in salvage, waste management, recycling, sustainability, or related operations is preferred.
  • Experience managing teams, P&L responsibility, and vendor relationships is preferred.
  • Strong analytical, problem-solving, and strategic planning skills with the ability to translate data into actionable improvements.
  • Excellent computer skills (proficient in Microsoft Office, with strong Excel and data analysis capabilities).
  • Excellent written and verbal communication, organizational, and time management skills.
  • Valid Texas driver's license with a safe driving record and ability to travel between GWH locations as needed.
  • Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship for current or future employment. GWH does not offer visa sponsorship for employment purposes.

Key Performance Indicators (KPI):
  1. Exceed 80% of commodity sales (apparel and other commodities) above Goodwill South (GII region).
  2. All sales to non-credit confirmed buyers are prepaid.
  • All sales buyers without confirmed credit status must prepay to secure the transaction(s) and cash flow.
  1. Reduce year over year percent of trash.
  2. Expand vendor network.
  3. Load planning coordination.

Physical Requirements/Work Environment:
  • Regular twisting, bending, squatting, kneeling, pushing, and pulling.
  • Ability to lift up to 40 lbs. and, occasionally, lift/move items up to 100 lbs. (e.g., large bags of donations, televisions, furniture, etc.)
  • Must be able to stand for extended periods of time.
  • Moderate indoor noise with periodic exposure to outside temperatures.

I understand this job description and requirements, and I am expected to complete all assigned duties. I also understand that the job functions may change, and that I may be transferred to another location at management's discretion.
I have read this job description and am confident I can perform the essential functions of this position with or without accommodation.
Associate: _______________________________________________ Date____________
Manager: _________________________________________________ Date____________
Job description subject to change.