Director of Policy

About GRI

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) provides standards, services, tools, and training that empower organizations of all sizes to assess and report on their environmental, social, and economic impacts. We engage in a multi-stakeholder process to develop our standards, setting best practices for sustainability reporting. The GRI Standards are widely used around the world and contribute to the establishment of a global sustainability reporting system. Our priorities and partnerships support long-term value creation, benefiting people and planet. GRI is an independent nonprofit organization, headquartered in the Netherlands, with multiple regional networks. With staff in more than 20 countries, we embody global perspectives while enabling local relevance. Working at GRI, you will be part of a team - One GRI - that is committed to unlocking positive change in the world.

About the role

The Director of Policy contributes to GRI's overall strategy by leading the global effort to drive the adoption of the GRI Standards into policy, legal frameworks, laws and/or regulation across a range of jurisdictions. The Director of Policy also ensures significant GRI influence in policy making and frameworks, building a network that we can leverage to create an enabling environment for GRI and sustainability reporting. In addition, the Director of Policy identifies fundraising, commercial and partnership opportunities to benefit GRI’s mission.

Responsibilities

• Leads the development and implementation of a global outreach strategy for the adoption of and alignment with GRI standards/impact reporting, engaging with policy makers, regulators and those who influence them, such as industry bodies, civil society, investor groups and/or multilateral institutions.
• Guides priority setting across jurisdictions, processes and organizations, delivering targeted engagement strategies and progress reports on engagement outcomes.
• Supports GRI networks/representatives in the field to set policy priorities and develop effective outreach.
• Advocates on behalf of GRI at global, regional and local level, based on priorities – and together with the GRI team, by providing policy recommendations, responses to policy consultations and through meetings and missions.
• Serves as an ambassador for GRI, representing GRI at events, in the media and/or in partnership roles, to shape policy dialogues and deliver our key messages to a wide range of audiences.
• Cultivates key partnerships to support the implementation of GRI policy priorities, by building momentum and allies.
• Manages the global policy team and facilitates a GRI-wide policy development and implementation approach, including a wide range of staff from across teams and functions, to increase policy alignment with and adoption of GRI standards around the world.
• Oversees the global policy team budget.
• Identifies fundraising and revenue opportunities, contributing to the fundraising pipeline and to relevant reporting on grants.
• Participates in the GRI Leadership Team, implementing the GRI strategy alongside other senior leaders within GRI and pursuing cross-team projects that support ONE GRI and other strategic goals.

Requirements

• Proven success in influencing policy makers, regulators and institutions on sustainability related topics.
• Demonstrated track-record of international engagement.
• Public sector or regulatory experience an advantage.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in comparable leadership roles.
• Solid network and reputation in sustainability or sustainability standards.

Knowledge and abilities

• Strong understanding of the corporate reporting landscape.
• Outstanding interpersonal, diplomatic and networking skills.
• Excellent communication in English.
• Proven track record of success in people- and project management.
• Ability to travel frequently, approximately twice per month.
• Awareness of international and multi-cultural settings.
• Agility and ability to work in a dynamic environment.
• Affinity with the vision and mission of GRI.

Perks of the role

• Location: Remote (Hybrid if in the Netherlands; within +/- 6 hours CET; candidates must have an existing valid permit to work in the country they will be based).
• Work hours: Full-time (40hrs/week; flexible).
• Contract type: 1-year contract with the possibility of renewal.
• Salary: €78,844 - €109,505 (European based range) per annum on full-time basis.
• Generous leave allowance.
• Access to the GRI Academy.

GRI aims to create a recruitment process that champions diversity, equity, and inclusion, ensuring all candidates have equal opportunities and are evaluated based on their unique skills and experiences. If you need any support or adjustments during the application process, please reach out to us.