Director of Programmes

Director of Programmes

Location: Largely remote, with regular weekly co-working in London encouraged.

Reports to: CEO

Direct reports: 4 to 6 team members

Hours per week: Full time

Type of contract: Permanent

Overtime status: Exempt

Salary: Competitive, depending on experience

Deadline: Rolling

Summary

ResponsibleSteel is a not-for-profit multi-stakeholder membership organisation founded to bring together industry along the steel value chain, civil society and other experts to maximise steel's contribution to a sustainable future. Through the collaborative development of our international standard, we have built a consensus on what sustainability looks like for steel - including the impacts of mining, production, the scrap metal supply chain, greenhouse gas emissions, water use, workers' rights, human rights, and biodiversity. Steel sites producing over 130 million tonnes of steel and employing over 230,000 workers are already certified against our Standard, with a large pipeline of sites across the world preparing for audit. We currently have over 150 members, including around 17% of global steel production. We plan to reach ISEAL Code Compliance by 2026.

We are seeking an experienced person to join the organisation as Director of Programmes, to oversee and develop our work in different areas, including Assurance, Standards, MEL (Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning), LMS (Learning Management System), and Claims. This strategic position within ResponsibleSteel is a great opportunity to work in a rapidly growing organisation that is already playing a leading role in steel decarbonisation and driving up social and environmental practices. It will suit an individual keen to work within a multi-stakeholder organisation to enhance our strategy to drive change in a challenging sector by bringing strategic leadership, coherence between programmes, technical oversight and nurturing a growing team.

Our values

At ResponsibleSteel we work in a way that is underpinned by our common values:

Respect: Working together to deliver impact with passion and mutual trust, valuing our time and allowing ourselves the space to reflect, rest and recharge.

Integrity: Saying what we do and do what we say, taking responsibility for our own actions even when no one is looking, learning and growing as we go.

Transparency: Communicating clearly, honestly and openly in a timely manner in all we do

Collaboration: Engaging with those affected, listening to understand, and co-creating bold strategies to deliver greater impact.

The role

This is a key position at ResponsibleSteel, and the role will involve (but is not limited to):

• Managing a team working across various areas within the scope of this position

• Strengthening the Assurance and oversight systems and ensuring their consistent implementation

• Overseeing the further development and implementation of the MEL (Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning) system

• Overseeing the development of the online LMS (Learning Management System) system for the organisation

• Overseeing the evolution of the ResponsibleSteel Standards programme

• Reviewing and strengthening the ResponsibleSteel Claims system for core certification and certified steel.

• Ensuring consistency and strategic coherence across all programmes and with other functions within the Secretariat.

Responsibilities

Working with a growing team, you will be responsible for multiple strategic programmes within ResponsibleSteel, including:

Team management:

• Manage a team of 4 to 6 people to encourage their growth and coordination. Currently, the team consists of a Senior Standards Advisor, Senior Decarbonisation Advisor, Assurance Manager, and Standards & Assurance Assistant. Further growth is anticipated.

• Manage the budget for the Programmes below

• Ensure continued development of digitalization across programmes

Oversight of the Assurance programme:

• Support the team in implementing the ResponsibleSteel assurance and oversight programmes

• Oversee the further development and strengthening of ResponsibleSteel's assurance tools and mechanisms

• Oversee the management of certification processes and Certification Bodies (CBs) qualification, quality, etc.

Oversight of the Standards programme:

• Oversee the Standards team's management of the Standards programme, ensuring technical consistency between this, the Assurance and Claims programmes

Overseeing the further development of the MEL programme:

• Coordinate internally to finalize the design for the ResponsibleSteel MEL

• Find the best way to implement the MEL system, considering the size and complexity of the organisation

Reviewing and strengthening the ResponsibleSteel claims system:

• Review/revise the claims rules associated with the different certification options (core site certification, certified steel, chain of custody, etc.)

• Set up the claims management system together with Membership and Finance teams including licence agreements

Overseeing the development of the ResponsibleSteel LMS:

• Lead the development of the RS LMS system for auditors, sites and other stakeholders, and oversee its implementation

Other responsibilities:

• Core member of the Senior Management Team consisting of the Development Director, Head of Membership & Communications, and the CEO.

• Ensuring the continued execution of ResponsibleSteel's plan to reach ISEAL Code Compliance.

• As Secretary to the Standards, Assurance, and Claims Committee (SACC) of the Board, prepare updates and motions for the SACC and attend meetings of the Board of Directors (3 virtual and one in person per year).

• Currently, this position will coordinate regular meetings of the Steelmakers' Reference Group of members, though this may be subject to change.

• Participate in relevant external events relevant to the role and to ResponsibleSteel.

• Provide inputs as required to other functions of the ResponsibleSteel Secretariat including communications, external advocacy, membership recruitment, membership engagement, digitalization, and other areas.

Qualifications, Experience and Skills

Experience anticipated in most of the following areas:

• 10+ years of professional experience

• Working in an organisation with a multi-stakeholder standard development process

• Proven experience of assurance and oversight processes

• Proven experience with MEL systems and the challenges of implementing them

• Proven experience in the implementation and management of Claims systems

• Familiarity with the development and implementation of LMS systems for different stakeholders

• Understanding of the ISEAL Code and related guidance

• Experience working internationally, preferably in India or China and Europe or the US.

Desirable:

• Experience in scenario analysis

• Public speaking skills

Competencies:

• Proven experience in team management

• Ability to think strategically across functions, and a strong team player

• Designing, planning, overseeing and delivering projects and programmes

• Comfortable managing and revising a budget

• Ability to prioritise and adapt whilst remaining outcome-oriented

• Conflict and crisis management skills in communications and stakeholder management

• Ability to organise and run workshops and meetings with multiple stakeholders

• Excellent attention to detail

• Ability to consider practical implications of technical wording

• Excellent stakeholder engagement and relationship-building skills, and understanding of stakeholder relations management systems

• Excellent communication skills in narrative development, oral and written

To Apply

Please send your cover letter and CV to specifying "Director of Programmes" in the email subject line. Applications without cover letters will not be considered.

Please note that you must have authorisation to work in your designated country of employment.

Benefits

Benefits and compensation vary per region and are competitive with local prevailing employment practices.

Regardless of location, ResponsibleSteel Secretariat members receive generous holiday allowance, a flexible approach to working hours and location, equipment stipends to ensure they are well-equipped wherever they may be working, and paid sickness and emergency leave.

Hiring Statement

ResponsibleSteel is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. We are committed to attracting, developing and retaining exceptional people, and to creating a work environment that is dynamic and rewarding and enables each of us to realise our potential. Our work environment is safe and open to all employees and partners, respecting the full spectrum of race, colour, religious creed, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, political affiliation, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, and all other classifications protected by law in the locality and/or state in which you are working.