POSITION: Head of Engagement

ORGANIZATION: UN Global Compact Network USA

LOCATION: New York, NY (Flexible)

EMPLOYMENT TYPE: Full-Time

SALARY RANGE: $110,000-$140,000 annually plus bonus structure

BENEFITS: Generous healthcare benefits, 5% automatic 401k contribution, 3% additional match, 4 weeks paid vacation, wellness benefits

To submit an application, please send your resume and cover letter to jobs@globalcompactusa.org with ‘Head of Engagement’ in the subject line by May 10, 2024.

Please note that Network USA is not in a position to sponsor visas at this time. We kindly ask that you only apply to this role if you have the right to work in the United States.

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HELP US DELIVER THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS IN THE U.S. THROUGH CORPORATE LEADERSHIP

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are the collective plan of global commitments required to end extreme poverty and hunger, tackle climate change, and create a more socially inclusive world by 2030. Achieving these goals requires a significant multi-stakeholder effort, which cannot be delivered by Governments and Civil Society alone. The actions, innovations, and finances of the private sector are critical to our ability to deliver.

This is where the UN Global Compact comes in. We are the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative, with over 20,000 participating companies in 160+ countries and 60+ Local Networks around the world to support local engagement. As the UN’s private sector initiative, managed under the Executive Office of the Secretary-General, we enable and support companies across all sectors, geographies, and sizes in their efforts to help meet the SDGs, building upon the foundation of the UN Global Compact Ten Principles, which align responsible business with the norms and values of the United Nations. Today, 75% of participating companies have activities to advance the SDGs. However, we are an ambitious team, energized by our mission of mobilizing a global movement of responsible companies and organizations to create the world we want. And we want to do much more.

Launched in 2007, UN Global Compact Network USA is a fast-growing network representing all US-based signatories of the UN Global Compact. There are over 1,100 participating organizations in the USA, which together have revenues making up around 18% of US GDP.

Our role is to represent the UN Global Compact in the US market and to represent the US market in the UN Global Compact.

By connecting our partners with the resources of the greater UN, we support companies that are committed to fully integrating our principles of human rights, labor, environment, and anti-corruption into their business strategies and operations.

HEAD OF ENGAGEMENT

UN Global Compact Network USA is organized into three core teams that work together with our global counterparts: Engagement, Programming, and Communications/Operations. The Engagement team supports our participating organizations with account management and navigating opportunities at the country and global levels. They also lead our recruitment efforts and represent the Network in the marketplace. Our Programming team delivers our country-level programming, which includes a large number of events, accelerators, peer-learning groups, webinars, and reports. Our Communications/Operations team ensures our growing organization has systems in place to support our operations and tailors global communications to the US market.

With a new strategic plan in place, the organization is poised for rapid growth. The Head of Engagement will be instrumental in driving this expansion, laying the groundwork for success and readiness for scale. Serving as the representative for the engagement function within our Leadership team, the Head of Engagement will work closely with the Executive Director and other department heads to align with the organization’s strategy, effectively translating it into actionable plans for the engagement team.

We are an ambitious and high-achieving organization with principles. The Head of Engagement is expected to model these values and help nurture an ambitious, principled, collaborative, and kind workplace environment.

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

The selected candidate will play an integral role in supporting the growth and development of

Network participants in the following ways:

Management‍

• Mentor and manage the performance and professional development of a team that is the first point of contact for any company interacting with the Network and oversees company relationship management

• Collaborate closely with the Leadership team to develop strategies and drive effective implementation
• Represent the Engagement function in Board of Directors meetings, developing board materials, and presenting the organization’s engagement strategy or performance when necessary
• Understand the structural needs and growth trajectory of the engagement team as the organization grows
• Lead, nurture, and support organization-wide culture and norms to reinforce a positive work environment
• Other activities as assigned to support our fast-growing organization

Growth

• Develop and lead the Network USA’s recruitment strategy, increasing the number of US companies participating in the UN Global Compact, which includes full team contributions toward:
  • Growth Webinars in collaboration with the Global Organization to support scalable outreach to companies interested in the UN Global Compact
  • Maintenance of automated nurture campaigns
  • Calls with prospective participants
  • Developing and leading partnerships in the marketplace to amplify our recruitment efforts
  • Ensure the engagement systems are running smoothly and efficiently to support all recruitment efforts, tracking inquiries, calls, and communications with prospective participants in Salesforce

Participant Retention

• Working with participants (in collaboration with our finance team) to understand and address any invoicing questions.
• Working with participants (in collaboration with the UNGC CoP team) to address any questions or concerns about the annual Communication on Progress requirement.
• Monitor company engagement with our value proposition, providing early temperature checks to leadership and tracking company requests for areas of opportunity to add value

Participant Engagement

• Represent the UN Global Compact in the US marketplace, traveling as needed to present the Network at conferences, speaking engagements, and meeting directly with companies across the country
• Demonstrate a robust understanding of Network USA’s programs, white paper reports, and resources to effectively communicate and guide recruiting efforts for the Programming team, including:
  • Tracking thematic interests to inform future programmatic efforts
  • Responding promptly to referral requests for US companies in global programming and engagement opportunities
• Engage both current and prospective UN Global Compact signatories in the United States to encourage greater participation in the UN Global Compact and the Network
• Support the development of and manage the Network’s key account management system, which manages signatory interests and maximizes SDG impact
• Lead the UN Global Compact Network USA’s response and support for companies navigating and submitting the UN Global Compact annual reporting requirements (the Communication on Progress)
• Identify opportunities, develop and attend Network USA-hosted engagement events with the support of the events function on the Programming team
• Address and respond to inquiries surrounding the UN Global Compact’s Communication on Progress reporting window and submission processes

UNGC Relations

• Collaborate with the Global Organization, including the Key Account Manager for the Americas, maintaining a strong working relationship and collaborative approach to engaging companies in the US Market
• Work with the office of the Assistant Secretary-General with regard to US events and company engagements
• Remain up to speed on globally-led initiatives, programs, and functions, providing input or monitoring the impact of changes for US companies. These include but are not limited to: The Communication on Progress, Forward Faster, the Global Africa Business Initiative, Food Systems, and the UN General Assembly Private Sector Forum
• Coordinate with other country Local Networks, including but not limited to internal cross-network collaboration and facilitating Multi-National Company relationships with the UNGC

Sponsorships

• Work across teams to develop and refine sponsorship opportunities given company feedback and value
• Present and secure opportunities for sponsorships or partnerships with current participants

THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE WILL DEMONSTRATE THE FOLLOWING ATTRIBUTES AND SKILLS:

• Proven experience in developing and maintaining corporate partnerships and relationships with senior private-sector representatives, primarily but not exclusively within the sustainability function
• The ability to onboard quickly to both internal systems and external tools, resources, platforms, and product offering
• Ability to think strategically and ensure actionable plans are developed, implemented, measured, and contribute to the organization’s overall success
• Utilize existing data to help with decision-making and determine next steps
• Self-starter, extremely detail-oriented and a great teammate, with a willingness to take ownership of responsibilities, execute independently, and maintain a high level of positive energy and drive
• Excellent time management, organizational, and project management skills
• Exceptional public presentation and communication (verbal and written) skills, as demonstrated by an ability to communicate with equal effectiveness at all levels—e.g. Network USA Board members, UN officials, executive and working level representatives of member companies, and related stakeholders
• Strong writing skills with the ability to convey complex and nuanced topics clearly and succinctly without a need for external editing support
• Ability to handle multiple projects and priorities simultaneously and in a fast-paced environment with little supervision and manage appropriate systems to track projects and work.
• Complete assignments on time or, as necessary, initiate internal communications to advise of unavoidable delays
• A customer-oriented approach to engaging with multiple audiences, including member companies, UN colleagues, and the Network USA board
• Demonstrated expert understanding of, and commitment to, corporate responsibility, corporate sustainability, and evolving trends in the marketplace.
• Sound judgment and professionalism with the ability to make independent decisions, demonstrate a high level of initiative, and proactively identify and solve problems
• Proven management skills that take on a culture-first approach to team building and day-to-day operations
• It is desirable to have previous work experience on small or growing teams, e.g. startups or newly deployed functions within a larger company

TO FULFILL THIS ROLE SUCCESSFULLY, YOU SHOULD DEMONSTRATE THE FOLLOWING MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• A minimum of ten (10) years of directly relevant experience in driving corporate sustainability action consistent with the objectives of the SDGs. Prior experience working directly with or consulting companies or managing sales within the context of corporate responsibility, sustainability reporting, supply chain, or other sustainability initiatives is preferred, particularly if done within the context of a United Nations initiative or partnership
• Account management or sales experience in a corporate sustainability context
• Experience managing staff and their performance
• Work experience related to developing corporate-NGO partnerships, developing and implementing engagement strategies and plans, and promoting enthusiasm for and uptake of programs to address ESG, corporate sustainability, and/or sustainable development issues
• Track record in delivering results in any sales outreach efforts
• Previous experience and track record in organizational sponsorship or fundraising
• Ability to work cross-functionally and in collaboration with local and global colleagues
• Availability to occasionally work outside of normal business hours to help meet important deadlines
• Experience with the UN Global Compact and/or UN-related initiatives preferred
• Salesforce and Microsoft Office Suite proficiency

It would be helpful in this position for you to demonstrate the following capabilities and distinctions:

• Knowledge of other UN languages

Network USA is a remote-first organization with an office in New York City. We are open to remote candidates within the United States who will travel to New York City as needed.

Network USA is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. Network USA is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at Network USA are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, family or parental status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. Network USA will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics