Vice-President, environmental affairs & chief sustainability officer

Position summary:

• Ensure that environmental and sustainability risks and opportunities at the international, federal, state, and local levels are known, and support A4A member efforts to integrate them into their business plans.
• Work with the airlines and A4A Environmental Affairs Team to identify and address industry priorities through leveraging A4A and airline resources.
• Lead strategic development and advocacy efforts on environmental and sustainability issues of significance to the members, working with the A4A Committees and Councils and according to A4A Board and Strategic Plan direction.
• Core subject areas include (but are not limited to): climate change; non-CO2 emissions; economic, social, and environmental sustainability; development and deployment of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) to meet the industry’s 2030 SAF goal of having 3B gallons of cost-competitive SAF available; Will oversee: noise policy development;  local air quality emissions; aircraft drinking water; deicing and other water quality impacts; fuel spill prevention and response; waste management; and recycling.
• Advocate A4A positions.
• Promote aviation as an environmentally efficient economic driver.
• Coordinate with other A4A departments to ensure integrated approaches to A4A member priorities.
• Serve as a subject-matter expert and spokesperson on environmental issues of significance to the airlines.
• Direct the A4A Environmental Affairs Team consistent with A4A priorities and position objective.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Closely monitor developments on high-priority environmental issues at the international, federal, state, and local levels and leverage the A4A Environmental Team to ensure integrated monitoring of all environmental issues that may be of significance to the industry
• Analyze and assess the potential impact of environmental developments on the commercial airline industry/members (working with the A4A Environmental Team), and recommend priorities for A4A engagement to members through A4A Committees, Councils, and Board
• Craft strategies and tactics for engaging on issues (working with the A4A Environmental Team) and make recommendations for execution of strategies and tactics to members through the Environment Affairs Committees and Councils
• Execute agreed A4A initiatives and activities (e.g., external outreach/advocacy, preparing working papers and advocacy documents, coordinate input from outside counsel and experts, direct activities of A4A task forces/work groups), working with A4A Environmental Team and coordinating with other A4A experts and A4A Councils/Committees as necessary
• Lead A4A carriers/Team in international negotiations on climate change and aircraft noise and emissions standards
• Maintain steady contact with A4A Environmental Councils and Committees working with the A4A Environmental Team to keep members informed of developments and carry out initiatives
• Promote agreed A4A positions through speaking engagements at high-yield conferences and events that inform relevant stakeholders (regulators, public, opinion-shapers, etc.)
• Work closely with other A4A Departments to ensure integrated positions and actions
• Oversee A4A Environmental Affairs Department, ensure efficient and productive operations (e.g., budget, time management, staff evaluations, and other administrative functions)
• Substantive content of advocacy documents, regulatory filings, environmental educational materials, environmental legal analysis, etc.
• Draft content for environmental presentations to the Board
• Strategy and tactics for environmental affairs matters
• Management/oversight of Environmental Affairs Councils and Committees
• Whether/when and how A4A Environmental Affairs will engage in meetings and conferences
• Management of Environmental Affairs staff
• Management of Environmental Affairs budget
• Engagement of outside consultants
• Manage budget and expenses.
• Approve Environmental Affairs staff expense reports.
• Review and approve all Department invoices.
• Negotiate rates with outside consultants

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Environmental attorney with significant practice experience in virtually all aspects of legal and policy strategy and advocacy at the federal, state, and local levels
• Subject matter expert in aviation environmental law and policy matters
• International law and policy experience, experience engaging with the International Civil Aviation Organisation on environmental issues, also significant experience with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and United Nations’ sustainability programs
• Understanding of legislative processes, including experience on Capitol Hill
• Strong research, writing, analytical, and public speaking skills
• Executive-level briefing
• Project management
• Leadership skills
• Staff management
• Significant media experience
• Engagement in relevant aviation forums, including the International Women’s Aviation Association; ABA Forum on Air & Space Law; Air Transport Action Group; etc.
• Facility with relevant word processing and other work management tools

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• All A4A employees must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19.
• If your department supervisors approve, A4A employees can work from home on Mondays and Fridays. All employees are expected to work in the office Tuesdays through Thursdays.

COMPETITIVE BENEFITS:

Choice of medical plans, plus free life, dental, and vision coverage. 401(k) with matching contributions, airline travel privileges, a tuition reimbursement plan, and 12 weeks of fully paid parental leave.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested applicants should send cover letter, resume and salary requirements to hr@airlines.org to the attention: JOA#23-09.

EEO

Job Information

Job ID: 69517359

Workplace Type: Hybrid

Location:
Washington, Dist. Columbia, United States

Company Name For Job: Airlines for America

Position Title: Vice-President, Environmental Affairs & Chief Sustainability Officer

Job Function: Other

Job Type: Full-Time

Job Duration: Indefinite

Min Education: BA/BS/Undergraduate