Senior Director, Sustainability

Job Posting:
Senior Director, Sustainability POSITION OVERVIEW

The American Cleaning Institute (ACI) seeks an experienced, strategic, and collaborative leader to serve as Senior Director, Sustainability. This role helps shape and deliver ACI’s forward-looking sustainability agenda—advancing measurable progress across the cleaning products industry through science-based leadership, cross-sector collaboration, and member engagement.

Reporting to the Vice President, Sustainability, the Senior Director will help design and manage delivery of ACI’s sustainability strategy, overseeing initiatives that drive meaningful environmental, social, and economic outcomes for member companies. This position works closely with ACI’s Government Affairs, Communications, and Research, Technology & Regulation teams to ensure an integrated and impactful approach to sustainability.

• Partner with the Vice President, Sustainability to define long‑term priorities, performance indicators, and annual program objectives.
• Lead and manage member‑driven initiatives that advance the industry’s leadership in decarbonization, circularity, sustainable feed stocks, and other sustainability priorities.
• Oversee ACI’s Sustainability Committee work groups, setting strategic direction, aligning members on key objectives, facilitating collaboration, and managing deliverables.
• Develop and deliver educational resources such as webinars, best‑practice guides, and case studies to support members’ progress in advancing sustainability.
• Collaborate with ACI’s Communications team to shape and amplify campaigns that spotlight the industry’s sustainability leadership and empower consumer sustainability.
• Represent ACI with external stakeholders, including NGOs and coalitions, and at public forums, conferences, and events, strengthening relationships that advance ACI’s mission and influence.
• Monitor emerging sustainability issues and trends, providing timely insight and guidance to ACI members and leadership.
• Oversee data collection and reporting for ACI’s sustainability benchmarking and industry reporting initiatives.
• Manage project budgets, vendors, and timelines, ensuring efficient and effective delivery of initiatives.
• Lead staff and supervise contractors as needed, fostering a collaborative, high‑performance culture.

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, sustainability, engineering, public policy, or related field required, master’s preferred.
• Minimum 8 years of progressive experience in sustainability, ESG, or environmental policy within corporate, association, consulting, government, or NGO settings.
• Experience with and knowledge of key sustainability topics—greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction, circular economy, sustainable feed stocks, ingredient transparency, biodiversity, etc.
• Familiarity with sustainability methods and frameworks such as life‑cycle assessment, materiality, and GHG accounting.
• Strong coalition‑building skills and experience engaging stakeholders across business, government, and NGOs.
• Proven ability to lead complex projects, manage budgets, and meet multiple deadlines.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation skills, with the ability to translate technical concepts into compelling narratives.
• Collaborative mindset and ability to work effectively across departments and with member companies.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, SharePoint).

This position offers the opportunity to help shape the future of sustainability across a global sector that touches millions of lives every day. The Senior Director will play a visible and influential role, connecting science, advocacy, and communications to drive meaningful industry progress in line with ACI’s mission and values.

The American Cleaning Institute® (ACI) is the home of the U.S. cleaning products industry, representing the $60 billion U.S. market for cleaning products and their chemistries. ACI members include the manufacturers and formulators of soaps, detergents, and general cleaning products used in households and commercial settings, as well as producers of ingredients, finished packaging, and chemical distributors. ACI serves to advance the health and quality of life of people and protect the planet through sustainable cleaning products and practices.

Salary range: $130,000 – $150,000, plus annual performance bonus and comprehensive benefits.

The American Cleaning Institute is an equal opportunity employer. ACI is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.