Automotive Recycling Project Lead

Open Role:

Automotive Recycling Project Lead

UK, Continental Europe, Switzerland, remote

Fixed-term contract (February–December 2026)

The Global Impact Coalition (GIC) is a collaborative platform enabling the chemical industry to achieve a circular and net‑zero emissions future. Incubated at the World Economic Forum, the Global Impact Coalition is led by key industry players including SABIC, Clariant, Covestro, Lyondell Basell, Mitsubishi Chemical Group, Syensqo and SUEZ. GIC enables its members to collaborate on challenges that cannot be effectively tackled alone.

The GIC provides a cross‑industry platform to co‑develop and scale‑up new technologies and innovative business models to reduce carbon emissions and advance circularity along the value chain.

One of our core projects focuses on building a recycling value chain specifically for the automotive plastics industry. Phase 1 of this project delivered foundational insights into automotive plastic complexity, dismantling costs, and material quality trade‑offs. Phase 2 (this role) focuses on translating those learnings into economically viable solutions with clear paths to implementation.

We are looking for a dynamic candidate who has experience in both PMO and complex business case and scenario modelling. This role combines strategic project leadership with hands‑on analytical work. You will serve as the central Project Management Office (PMO) driving the overall project across seven work packages while directly leading two critical work packages: WP1 (Business Case & Scenario Modelling) and WP5 (Scale‑up Business Model & Playbook).

Success in this role means complex stakeholder management across 10+ companies, developing robust analytical work, and ensuring the overall project stays on track.

• Own the overall Phase 2 delivery across 7 work packages (WP1–WP7), ensuring coordination, timeline adherence, and budget management
• Facilitate working group meetings with chemical companies, OEMs, dismantle rs, and recyclers, synthesizing diverse inputs into aligned priorities
• Design and implement stage‑gate governance with clear go / no‑go decision criteria tied to quantitative KPIs
• Prepare executive communications, progress reports, and stakeholder presentations that translate technical findings into strategic insights
• Manage consortium dynamics: balancing competing company interests while maintaining project cohesion and momentum

Business Case, Scenario Modelling, Roadmap Development

• Develop detailed business cases including scenario modelling for specific automotive components, recycling pathways. Define quantitative KPIs: € / kg costs, yield percentages, quality specifications, throughput metrics, and payback periods
• Benchmark global initiatives to ensure solutions remain cost‑competitive
• Deliver business case documentation suitable for executive leadership
• Map the ELV plastic recycling ecosystem, identifying key players, value chains, infrastructure gaps by region
• Create a transferable methodology / playbook applicable across regions (EU, China, Saudi Arabia, US) despite varying regulatory environments

• 7+ years of experience in project management, strategy consulting within materials, chemicals, automotive, or sustainability sectors
• Demonstrated track record managing multi‑stakeholder initiatives with competing corporate interests and complex governance structures
• Strong financial modelling capabilities: able to build bottom‑up cost models, scenario analyses, and business cases from first principles
• Experience translating complex technical information into executive‑ready communications and strategic recommendations
• Fluent English; additional European languages (German, French) advantageous for stakeholder engagement
• Ability to travel in Europe
• Bachelor's degree in finance, engineering, chemistry, business, or related field

• Technical literacy in plastics, polymers, or recycling processes (mechanical and / or chemical recycling understanding preferred)
• Direct experience with circular economy initiatives,…