Recycling Education & Outreach Director

Purpose of this Position

The newly established National Recycling Education & Outreach (E&O) team will be the driving force behind behavioral change in recycling and waste diversion across states that implement packaging EPR. This team will design, implement and measure comprehensive strategies that empower residents, businesses, and communities to recycle right, reduce waste and participate effectively in evolving circular economy initiatives.

The Recycling Education & Outreach Director will be a visionary and entrepreneurial leader responsible for building, launching and leading a high-performing Education & Outreach function from the ground up. This pivotal role will define the strategic direction for all E&O initiatives, develop and execute impactful behavior change campaigns, establish robust measurement approaches, and cultivate critical partnerships. The Director will recruit, mentor and empower a diverse team of subject matter experts across strategy, behavior change, program design and community engagement to drive measurable improvements in recycling rates and material quality.

Key Deliverables for the Role:

Strategic Leadership & Vision (Build & Define)

• Establish E&O Strategy: Develop a comprehensive, data-driven national E&O strategy for CAA, translating organizational goals into clear, actionable education and outreach objectives and workplans for diverse state-level EPR programs.
• Define Behavioral Change Frameworks: Champion, develop, and apply best practices in behavior change theory (e.g., social marketing, nudge theory) to design effective and scalable interventions to increase recycling rates and drive utilization of re-use models.
• Identify Best Practices: Lead systematic efforts for internal and external benchmarking, peer learning exchanges, and applied research (including multivariate testing, A/B testing, pilot programs) to continuously identify, validate and integrate best practices into all E&O initiatives across the states.
• Thought Leadership: Serve as a subject matter expert and thought leader in recycling E&O and behavior change, representing CAA at conferences, public forums, and industry events.
• Build critical partnerships needed to successfully implement E&O and drive innovation.

Function Start-Up & Team Building (Launch & Grow)

• Organizational Design: Design the optimal organizational structure and staffing plan for the E&O team, defining roles, responsibilities and team interdependencies.
• Talent Acquisition: Recruit, hire and onboard a high-performing team of specialists, including managers and individual contributors.
• Process Establishment: Develop and implement efficient workflows, governance models and operational processes for all E&O activities, including project management, content creation, campaign execution and data collection.
• ACTIvE Culture Building: Foster a collaborative, innovative, data-driven and results-oriented team culture focused on continuous learning and impact.

Program Development & Management (Oversee & Execute)

• Campaign & Program Oversight: Oversee the development and execution of all E&O initiatives across various channels.
• EPR Program Plan Development: Support with the development of the E&O portion of states' Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program plans.
• Content & Digital Delivery: Ensure the production of high-quality, clear, engaging and culturally relevant content across all platforms, including transcreation and translation.
• Operational Excellence: Guide the strategic use of digital platforms, media buying, and field operations to maximize reach and impact.

Measurement & Optimization (Analyze & Refine)

• KPI Development: Establish and maintain the department's comprehensive measurement approach, including setting clear Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for all E&O programs.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Ensure regular collection, analysis and reporting of E&O performance data, using insights to continually optimize strategies and campaigns and to articulate the cost-benefit of various interventions.
• Testing & Iteration: Champion a culture of rigorous testing (A/B, multivariate, pilot programs) to validate hypotheses and refine approaches.

Stakeholder & Partnership Management (Collaborate & Engage)

• Internal Collaboration: Work closely with state teams and other departments within CAA to ensure integrated strategies and seamless execution.
• External Partnerships: Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with key external stakeholders, including state and local governments, industry associations, community organizations, schools, businesses and other relevant groups.
• Public Representation: Act as a primary spokesperson for E&O initiatives to media and public audiences as needed.

Budget & Resource Management:

• Develop, manage, and adhere to the annual E&O departmental budget, ensuring efficient allocation of resources and maximizing return on investment.
• Oversee vendor relationships and contract negotiations for E&O services (e.g., media buys, research firms, creative agencies).

Experience and Professional Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, Environmental Studies, Behavioral Economics, or a related field.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in leading and managing comprehensive education, outreach, marketing or behavior change programs, with a significant portion in a leadership role.
• Deep knowledge of the recycling and waste management industry.
• Demonstrated experience in building, launching, or significantly scaling a new functional area or department.
• Proven expertise in applying behavior change principles to achieve measurable outcomes.
• Proven expertise in testing new approaches to driving behavior change and then scaling new best practices.
• Strong understanding of digital marketing platforms, content strategy, media planning/buying, and campaign analytics.
• Experience overseeing or direct involvement in community engagement, field operations and/or volunteer programs.
• Exceptional leadership, team-building and mentorship skills, with a track record of attracting and developing top talent.
• Superior communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively engage diverse internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent strategic thinking, analytical, and problem-solving abilities, with a commitment to data-driven decision-making.
• Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple complex initiatives simultaneously.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working for a Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) or similar stewardship organization.
• Proficiency in Spanish or other languages relevant to diverse communities.
• Experience working with government agencies or non-profit organizations.

Compensation & Other Information 

• Location: Fully Remote Compensation: Based on a variety of factors in accordance with applicable law, including the successful candidate's relevant experience, skills, knowledge, and work location.  
• Reports To:  SVP of Communications

Circular Action Alliance is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation, and related medical conditions), national origin, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or any other category protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. If you require accommodation as part of the application process, please contact careers@circularaction.org listed below.