Company
Cox Enterprises
Environmental, Social & Governance
Director, Recycling & Waste Diversion
Director
Hybrid - Ability to work remotely part of the week
Yes, 15% of the time
Day
Compensation
Compensation includes a base salary of $142,100.00 - $236,800.00. The base salary may vary within the anticipated base pay range based on factors such as the ultimate location of the position and the selected candidate’s knowledge, skills, and abilities. Position may be eligible for additional compensation that may include an incentive program.
Cox Enterprises is hiring a Director Environmental Sustainability – Waste & Recycling to join our team! The Director of Environmental Sustainability – Waste & Recycling drives Cox Conserves' enterprise-wide waste management strategy to achieve the company’s ambitious Zero Waste to Landfill (ZWTL) goal. This highly visible leadership role encompasses strategy development, operational oversight, and stakeholder engagement across business units, acquisitions, and the Cox Farms initiative. The director will manage waste reduction, diversion, and verification efforts, collaborating with cross-functional teams and external partners to align sustainability goals with business objectives while enhancing Cox’s leadership in environmental stewardship.
This role is critical to achieving Cox’s public sustainability commitments, reducing environmental impact, and establishing the company as a leader in innovative waste management and resource efficiency practices.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership: Develop and implement the ZWTL strategy across all Cox business units, acquisitions, and Cox Farms, ensuring alignment with corporate sustainability goals.
Collaboration and Influence: Partner with C-suite and VP-level leaders across divisions to advance waste management initiatives and the broader Cox Conserves vision.
Operational Oversight: Lead internal teams and external vendors, including Rubicon Global, to optimize waste management systems, improve efficiency, and reduce costs.
Waste Diversion and Verification: Direct efforts to reduce discarded materials, increase recycling and composting, and ensure compliance with third-party validation for zero waste claims.
Data Management and Reporting: Oversee waste-related governance, data assurance, and external reporting, ensuring transparency and alignment with ESG frameworks.
Stakeholder Engagement: Represent Cox’s waste strategy and achievements at industry conferences, in public forums, and with NGOs, regulatory bodies, and external partners.
Financial Management: Manage an annual budget of $10M+ and oversee 120M+ pounds of materials, driving annual waste savings of 10–20%.
Qualifications
Required:
Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering, Sustainability, or a related field and 10 years of related experience.
Expertise in ESG reporting and sustainability certifications (e.g., GRI, CDP, LEED, TRUE).
Proven leadership in managing cross-functional teams and vendors.
Excel at managing teams, presenting and distilling to an executive audience.
5+ years of supervisory experience with demonstrated success in project and team management.
Preferred:
Master’s degree in a relevant field.
Experience in global sustainability practices and frameworks (e.g., CSRD, UN SDGs).
SWANA, TRUE, ISSP, or similar certifications.
Key Skills
Strong strategic planning, operational management, and project execution abilities.
Expertise in zero waste strategies, waste technology solutions, and ESG alignment.
Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence senior leadership.
Proven ability to manage complex, high-impact projects and vendor relationships.
Deep understanding of regulated industries and environmental risk management.
Working Conditions
The Company offers eligible employees the flexibility to take as much vacation with pay as they deem consistent with their duties, the company’s needs, and its obligations; seven paid holidays throughout the calendar year; and up to 160 hours of paid wellness annually for their own wellness or that of family members. Employees are also eligible for additional paid time off in the form of bereavement leave, time off to vote, jury duty leave, volunteer time off, military leave, parental leave, and COVID-19 vaccination leave.
As our primary divisions Cox Automotive and Cox Communications drive new waves of innovation, Cox Enterprises is entering spaces like cleantech, healthcare, esports and more. We're a family business guided by a legacy of bold innovation that’s driven by those who want to make their mark. Benefits of working at Cox may include health care insurance (medical, dental, vision), retirement planning (401(k)), and paid days off (sick leave, parental leave, flexible vacation/wellness days, and/or PTO). For more details on what benefits you may be offered, visit our benefits page. Cox is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer – All qualified applicants/employees will receive consideration for employment without regard to that individual’s age, race, color, religion or creed, national origin or ancestry, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, physical or mental disability, veteran status, genetic information, ethnicity, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by law. Cox provides reasonable accommodations when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with disability, unless such accommodations would cause an undue hardship.Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States for any employer without current or future sponsorship.
