Sustainability Director

Scion Executive Search has been retained to identify the incoming Sustainability Director on behalf of our esteemed client, 11th Hour Racing Inc., an organization committed to the health and resiliency of our ocean. 11th Hour Racinginvests in and promotes innovative solutions through sports, grantmaking, and storytelling, to build healthier systems and strong communities. They envision a future where the well-being of our ocean and waterways has been restored through innovation, collaboration, and collective action – through the power of sport, within the marine industries, and throughout coastal communities.

Reporting to the President, this full-time, onsite opportunity is for immediate hire at their beautiful office in Newport, RI!

ABOUT 11th HOUR RACING:

Headquartered in Newport, Rhode Island, 11th Hour Racing works to mobilize sports, maritime, and coastal communities with an innovative approach to inspire solutions for the ocean. 11th Hour Racing promotes collaborative, systemic change through three primary areas of engagement: sponsorships, grantees, and ambassadors. Under the 11th Hour Racing umbrella, activities are provided through 11th Hour Racing, Inc., which serves as the impact entity and provides programmatic direction to its philanthropic partners, including 11th Hour Racing Charitable, LLC, which engages in charitable work, and 11th Hour Racing Action, LLC, which engages in social welfare programs and advocacy. Learn more at www.11thhourracing.org.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Sustainability Director leads the design and execution of 11th Hour Racing’s sustainability strategy, driving impactful projects across their sponsorships, grants, ambassadors, and storytelling initiatives. These efforts span a spectrum of sailing teams and regattas, large-scale public events, partnerships within the marine industry, and campaigns or demonstration projects in various communities. This role is critical in tying these efforts to the larger endeavors and objectives of 11th Hour Racing, ensuring that their sustainability initiatives are strategic, effective, and aligned with their mission.

11th Hour Racing seeks a proactive and energetic leader to serve as a strategic thought partner with expertise in sustainability and guiding projects with creativity and intelligence. Reporting to the President, this role will provide critical advice and oversight while ensuring that actions, policies, and plans are practical and aligned with best practices. In 11th Hour Racing’s collaborative and supportive environment, kindness, compassion, and respect are paramount, fostering a culture that encourages boldness, risk-taking, and continuous growth.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and implement a comprehensive sustainability strategy aligned with 11th Hour Racing’s mission and objectives. This includes managing a portfolio of projects, setting ambitious, long-term sustainability goals, and designing impactful tactics.
• Cultivate and manage a portfolio of strategic partnerships with stakeholders across the sailing, maritime, and environmental communities to drive collective action towards a sustainable future.

Project Oversight and Implementation

• Lead sustainability initiatives within 11th Hour Racing’s projects, ensuring seamless integration of sustainable practices and adherence to environmental standards.
• Serve as the principal sustainability expert for the organization, overseeing internal sustainability practices and those of its sibling organizations.
• Manage existing and develop new sustainability initiatives, including establishing deliverables, tracking progress, and overseeing project budgets.

Education and Advocacy

• Collaborate with the Communications Team to develop educational materials, workshops, and campaigns to raise awareness about critical sustainability issues.
• Represent 11th Hour Racing at conferences, seminars, and speaking engagements, sharing expertise, advocating for the organization’s mission, and inspiring action.

Collaboration and Performance Measurement

• Collaborate closely with internal teams across departments to integrate sustainability principles into all aspects of 11th Hour Racing’s work. Build strong working relationships to ensure seamless project execution.
• Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to track progress toward sustainability goals and prepare regular reports for internal and external stakeholders.
• Manage budgets and funding for sustainability initiatives, ensuring efficient resource allocation and alignment with organizational priorities.

Research and Innovation

• Conduct research to stay abreast of emerging trends, technologies, and best practices in sustainability and environmental conservation and incorporate relevant innovations into organizational strategies.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Passion for the mission of 11th Hour Racing and a commitment to sustainable practices within the sailing and maritime industries.
• Extensive knowledge and expertise in sustainability principles, including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) and the application of these principles within the maritime sector.
• Experience with relevant sustainability frameworks such as ISO 20121 and GRI Standards is a plus.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to present complex information clearly and concisely.
• Strong interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively with diverse internal and external stakeholders, including partners, vendors, and fellow team members.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize tasks effectively, and meet deadlines with a keen attention to detail.
• Experience working independently and as part of a team, with a high level of self-motivation.
• Ability to work legally in the United States.
• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies, Sustainability, Marine Affairs, or a related field. A Master’s degree in these or related areas is preferred.
• Minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in the sustainability field, focusing on the maritime industry or environmental advocacy.

TRAVEL:

• This 100% onsite position is based in Newport, RI, with expected domestic and international travel as necessary (5-10%).

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

In addition to a competitive base salary of $150,000 - $175,000 (DOE), 11th Hour Racing provides exceptional benefits, including a variety of medical, dental, and vision plans, along with a generous Paid Time Off (PTO) program that accrues based on your years of service (3 weeks annually at hire date), 15 paid company holidays, and a paid day off for your birthday! 11th Hour Racing prioritizes financial wellness with a 401(k)-retirement savings plan with company-matching contributions and pre-tax account options for healthcare and dependent care expenses, wellness reimbursements, a commuter benefit program, and up to 40 hours of paid volunteer time annually. Family-focused support includes up to 16 weeks of fully paid parental leave, short-term and long-term disability insurance, childcare assistance, educational reimbursement programs, travel insurance, HSA, FSA, access to discounted perks and confidential employee assistance programs, and more!

11th Hour Racing is an equal opportunity employer and strives to create an atmosphere where diversity of identity, experience, and background are welcomed, valued, and supported. 11th Hour Racing believes that diversity brings about greater sustainability on all levels and aims to use its resources to generate greater social and environmental diversity through its grantmaking and other related investments. 11th Hour Racing is committed to considering candidates for employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, disability and any other status protected under applicable law, and provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals.

ABOUT OUR FIRM:

Scion Executive Search is an award-winning retained executive search firm. Our track record and recruitment process have made us one of the top recruitment firms in the United States. Through innovative team building and recruitment solutions, Scion Executive Search seamlessly bridges the gap in interim and executive searches.

We are proud to be part of the Forbes lists of the Best Recruitment Firms and the Best Executive Search Firms in America. Additionally, Scion has been recognized as a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing firm as well as a top recruitment firm by The Business Times. Additional information about our firm and our practices can be found online.

Scion Executive Search is an equal opportunity employer and service provider and does not discriminate based on race, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, political affiliation, or any other protected class. We are committed to the principles of Equal Opportunity Employment and are dedicated to making employment decisions based on merit and value, for ourselves, our client companies, and the candidates we represent.

For opportunities located in a region that has enacted fair chance, arrest, or conviction-based employment ordinances, Scion Executive Search proactively follows the enacted guidance and considers for employment all qualified applications with arrest and conviction records. We engage in socially conscious business practices and believe that diverse, equitable, inclusive, and non-biased talent and recruitment processes are foundational to the success of Scion as well as every client organization with whom we partner.