Sustainable Business Advisory Manager

We’re ZSL, an international conservation charity. Our vision is a world where wildlife thrives and we’re working every day to achieve this. From investigating the health threats facing animals, to helping people and wildlife live alongside each other, we are committed to bringing wildlife back from the brink of extinction. Through the work of our pioneering scientists, our dedicated conservationists and our unrivalled animal experts in our two zoos, we guide and enable others in the UK and all across the world. Inspiring, informing, empowering – working for wildlife.

The ZSL Sustainable Business programme (ZSB) works to achieve a world where business practices protect & enhance biodiversity. ZSL is seeking an individual to lead the Sustainable Business programme’s advisory workstream. This will include oversight of ZSL’s consultancy services to the business sector on legal and sustainable trade of forest-risk commodities.

The Sustainable Business Advisory Manager will be instrumental in building ZSB’s advisory service offering to businesses. This will focus primarily on commercial services to soft-commodity sectors, especially the timber and pulp, palm oil and rubber sectors. The role will include oversight of technical services addressing legal requirements (such as the EU Timber Regulation and forthcoming UK and EU deforestation regulations), sustainability initiatives (including SPOTT, FSC, RSPO, GPSNR and HCV/S approaches) and bespoke sustainability requirements.

The Sustainable Business Advisory Manager will be responsible for business development, quality assurance of consultancy services, resourcing, key account management and a substantial amount of technical service delivery to consultancy outputs. The role will focus on business development with downstream companies (CGMs and retailers) globally but with a focus on European businesses. This will complement business development by colleagues focussed on upstream companies in Asia and Africa.

These services will be delivered through;

• Policy & Procedure development
• Capacity Building
• Due Diligence & Responsible Sourcing Systems
• Impact verification
• Sustainability Communications
• Research and analysis

ZSL is seeking a candidate with strong technical competencies and a track record of developing/winning/securing and providing high quality consultancy services to commercial organisations.

• A relevant academic qualification to Masters degree level (level 7) or equivalent professional experience.
• At least 3-years experience providing environmental sustainability consultancy or certification services to commercial organisations.
• Relevant experience related to commodity supply chains (specifically palm oil, timber and/or natural rubber).
• Successful track record of business development and client sales relating to environmental consultancy services.
• Experience working with Consumer Goods Manufacturers (CGMs) and/or retailers to implement sustainability practices (desirable)
• Experience of managing consultants.
• Experience of budget management (desirable)
• Applied conservation field experience, preferably in a tropical forest setting (desirable)
• Experience working within an international not-for-profit NGO or charity setting (desirable)

For a full job description please click here

Applicants will need to upload their CV and covering letter (detailing relevant experience and skills, stating why they want the position and including details of availability) and can do this by clicking the "Apply for this job online" button on the ZSL website. If you have any queries regarding this position or when applying through the system please contact Human Resources at hr@zsl.org.

Closing date for applications: Midnight (23:59) EST, Sunday 21st February 2020

The Zoological Society of London is a charity registered in England and Wales: no. 208728.