Director Social Responsibility, Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy

Who We Are

The Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy is working across the dairy community to advance our vision of dairy providing transformative good for people and planet. Founded by dairy farmers through Dairy Management Inc, the Innovation Center brings leaders from across dairy companies, farmers, NGOs, CPG companies, academia, government and more to align on pre-competitive priorities, identify innovative solutions, share best practices and drive positive impact in health and wellbeing, environmental stewardship, animal care and communities.

About the Role

This is an office-based role in Rosemont, IL with hybrid flexibility. Visa sponsorship and relocation are not available for this position.

The director of social responsibility for the Innovation Center will play a key role in a dynamic, integrated team working to advance the U.S. dairy industry’s sustainability and social responsibility platform. Join the social responsibility strategy and affairs team of the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy where you will lead coordinated management of the industry’s biennial sustainability report and sustainability awards while supporting the U.S. Dairy Stewardship Commitment and related committees. This role will report to the Innovation Center’s Senior Vice President, Social Responsibility.

Accountabilities:

Manage production of U.S. Dairy Sustainability Report.

• Guide execution of comprehensive plan for producing biennial report that covers the collective U.S. dairy industry’s progress on shared social responsibility and sustainability priorities. With direction from EVP Social Responsibility Strategy and Affairs, and SVP, Social Responsibility, develop content plan that pulls data and information from across the industry within the context of the Innovation Center priority pillars, following global reporting guidance.

• Coordinate with and provide report development guidance to pillar leads, subject matter experts, and project managers to ensure report content is developed and delivered on schedule.

• Track progress to meet predetermined timelines and deliverable dates and recommend adjustments to project plan to achieve maximum benefit when warranted.
• Work with others to clear blockages as they arise — escalating issues as necessary; this requires a clear understanding of the report content.
• Manage report contractor to stay on task, on time and on budget.

Support the continued growth and value of the U.S. Dairy Stewardship Commitment.

• Working with other members of the Innovation Center team, support onboarding process for new Commitment adopters, including securing required documentation and information to support communications.
• Update and support implementation of the annual survey to confirm terms of adoption
• Annually review and update Commitment informational materials, including printed and online.
• Assist the EVP and SVP with management of the Stewardship Commitment Committee, including meeting schedule, documents, preparations and follow up
• Track and report progress on Committee strategies and initiatives, to a variety of internal and external audiences
• Ensure timely and relevant communications to the Committee, knowing how to message appropriately to the diverse group of members in an effective way
• Support budget, invoicing and reporting for Processor Stewardship Oversight LLC

Build and manage U.S. Dairy Sustainability Awards program.

• With direction from EVP, serve as lead for the integrated team that contributes to the national award program.

• Develop updated awards program; coordinate cross-functional input and facilitate streamlined processes that include state and regional organizations and key stakeholders in dairy community.

• Implement the national awards program, including update award materials and national call for nominations; recruit internal and external experts to evaluate nominations; and coordinate with colleagues and communications department to celebrate awardees.

• Regularly evaluate efficiency, impact and value of awards program and implement steps to improve

This role will also contribute to stakeholder engagement and external affairs efforts, which could include supporting the Dairy Sustainability Alliance planning and communication needs, development of talking points and visuals and related tasks.

Requirements

•Minimum of a bachelor's degree, and preferably with a focus in sustainability or related field

•3-5 years of experience in managing sustainability-related projects for an organization or company

•Knowledge of sustainability reporting standards and CSR reporting

•Solid experience in creating, maintaining, and organizing project management documents (e.g., charters, status report templates, etc.), project budgets and databases

•Proficiency with project management tools and software (e.g., SmartSheets) preferred

•Proven success in working effectively with cross-functional teams, including external resources and partners, to achieve business results

•Understanding of performance metrics reporting

•Ability to handle conflicting priorities in a multi-task environment

•Excellent verbal and written communication skills in addition to presentation skills

•Dairy and/or agricultural operations experience a plus

Other:

•Some travel may be required

Benefits

We know that in order to meet our goal of growing dairy demand, we need the best people. Our culture is highly collaborative and we appreciate unique perspectives and diversity of style and thought. DMI's Rosemont office is conveniently located across from O’Hare Airport and is accessible to the CTA Blue Line and Metra transit. We offer free regular and chocolate milk on tap.

Our comprehensive health and welfare plans offer medical, dental, vision, life, short-term and long-term disability and flexible spending accounts (health care, dependent care, transit and parking). We also offer generous maternity and paid paternal leave plans. Our 401k provides up to a 10% match and includes a Roth account. DMI reserves the right to change or end its benefits plans or programs at any time.

ABOUT DMI

Dairy Management Inc.™ is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer committed to the principles of diversity. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, ethnicity, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Dairy Management Inc.™ (DMI) is funded by America’s nearly 26,000 dairy farmers, as well as dairy importers. Created to help increase sales and demand for dairy products, DMI and its related organizations work to increase demand for dairy through research, education and innovation, and to maintain confidence in dairy foods, farms and businesses. DMI manages National Dairy Council and the American Dairy Association, and founded the U.S. Dairy Export Council and the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy. DMI works with state and regional promotion organizations to implement these programs across the country.

We regret it is not possible to communicate with candidates except those who most closely match our requirements. Thank you.