Project Director / Senior Program Manager

Closed Loop Partners; New York (NY); Presencial; USD 140.000 - 190.000; Jornada completa

Ventajas ofrecidas por este puesto de trabajo

Full‑time, permanent position

Competitive salary range

In‑office work in New York City

Occasional travel

Equal Opportunity Employer

Descripción de la vacante

Closed Loop Partners is seeking a Project Director or Senior Program Manager for the New York City office. The role combines strategic thinking, analytical rigor, and client leadership to tackle circular economy challenges.

Candidates should have extensive experience leading complex projects and delivering high‑quality outcomes, with strong collaboration across partners and teams. The position is full‑time and based in NYC, with occasional travel.

Formación

• 7+ years of professional experience in management consulting, corporate strategy, or similar analytical leadership roles.
• Demonstrated ability to independently lead complex projects from problem definition to execution.
• Strong strategic thinking and problem‑solving skills with ability to structure ambiguous challenges.

Responsabilidades

• Structure ambiguous challenges into clear research questions and actionable recommendations.
• Lead quantitative and qualitative assessments of recycling systems and market opportunities.
• Develop financial and operational analyses including capital expenditures and ROI for project feasibility.
• Evaluate technical solutions with equipment providers and operators to inform planning.
• Translate findings into presentations and executive‑level recommendations.

Conocimientos

Strategic thinking

Project leadership

Financial modeling

Client management

Herramientas

Excel

PowerPoint

Word

Descripción del empleo

About Closed Loop Partners

Closed Loop Partners is a leading firm at the forefront of building the circular economy, headquartered in New York City at 888 7th Ave, 10th Floor. The company operates through three integrated business segments that create a comprehensive platform for systems change: Closed Loop Capital Management, Closed Loop Center for the Circular Economy, and Closed Loop Builders. Closed Loop Capital Management serves as the firm’s investment arm, managing venture capital, buyout funds, and catalytic private credit investment strategies on behalf of global corporations, financial institutions and family offices. This segment focuses on identifying and funding innovative circular economy solutions across various material streams. The Closed Loop Center for the Circular Economy functions as the firm’s innovation and consulting arm, providing services that extend beyond traditional consulting and think tank work. The Center collaborates directly with business leaders to research commercial opportunities, design circular solutions, and build cutting-edge initiatives in the market. Operating from New York City and serving clients across multiple cities nationwide, the Center partners with influential companies to address material challenges that organizations cannot solve independently. The Center’s work spans critical focus areas including plastics and packaging, textiles and apparel, food and organics, and circular technology. Closed Loop Builders represents the firm’s operating group, responsible for incubating, building and scaling circular economy infrastructure and services. This segment transforms strategies and research into operational realities by developing and operating infrastructure projects and service offerings that advance circular economy objectives. The firm’s integrated approach allows it to move beyond analysis and strategy to direct implementation and operational excellence, positioning Closed Loop Partners as a comprehensive resource for corporate partners seeking to advance their circular economy goals. The company maintains a commitment to equal opportunity employment and considers qualified applicants without regard to age, race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, nationality or sex.

About this Role

The Closed Loop Center for the Circular Economy is seeking a Project Director or Senior Program Manager who combines strong strategic thinking, analytical rigor and client leadership capabilities to address complex sustainability and circularity challenges. This position offers the opportunity to apply business and technical expertise directly to real-world circular economy problems at a firm pioneering systems change in this critical field. This role is particularly suited to candidates with at least seven years of experience in management consulting, professional services, corporate strategy, engineering consulting or technical operations who have demonstrated the ability to independently lead complex projects and deliver high-quality outcomes. The work combines the intellectual rigor and variety found in consulting with direct involvement in implementation alongside leading companies, recycling facilities, technology providers and other industry partners. Projects may involve recycling infrastructure, material recovery technologies, financial and operational feasibility assessments and field implementation. Successful candidates will be comfortable navigating unfamiliar technical subjects, working with specialized experts, building trusted client relationships and leading projects from initial strategy through execution. Prior circular economy experience is welcome but not required. The final title will reflect experience and demonstrated capabilities, with the Project Director level taking greater ownership of overall strategy, complex initiatives, senior client relationships, budgets and team leadership. This is a full‑time, permanent position based in the New York City office with a target start date of January 2027, pending project launch date. The position requires in‑office presence and occasional travel. Outstanding candidates who require a later start date will be considered.

Responsibilities

• Structure ambiguous business, technical and environmental challenges into clear research questions, analytical approaches and actionable recommendations
• Lead quantitative and qualitative assessments of recycling systems, material flows, recovery technologies and end markets to evaluate opportunities and identify practical solutions
• Develop and oversee financial and operational analyses, including capital expenditures, operating costs, commodity values and return on investment, to evaluate project feasibility and inform investment decisions
• Assess technical solutions and emerging technologies, working with equipment manufacturers, facility operators and subject matter experts to evaluate performance, costs and implementation requirements
• Synthesize technical findings, market research and regulatory considerations into clear strategies, business cases and recommendations for corporate partners and other decision-makers
• Lead the design and execution of complex, multi‑stakeholder initiatives in recycling, packaging and other circular economy areas, translating strategies into implementation plans, budgets, milestones and measurable outcomes
• Oversee in‑field research and technical testing, including material characterization studies, equipment trials, facility assessments and proof‑of‑concept projects
• Coordinate with recycling facilities, equipment providers and technical experts to evaluate equipment configurations, operational requirements and opportunities to improve material recovery
• Manage site selection and due diligence, vendor procurement, implementation planning and operational coordination for infrastructure projects
• Develop performance measurement plans, evaluate field results and use technical, financial and operational data to refine programs and develop recommendations for scaling successful solutions
• Build and manage relationships with corporate clients, recycling facility operators, technology providers, municipalities, industry associations and other partners to advance shared objectives
• Lead client meetings, technical working sessions, workshops and multi‑stakeholder discussions to align priorities, resolve challenges and advance decisions
• Translate complex technical and financial findings into clear presentations, written recommendations and executive‑level communications
• Work with internal policy colleagues and external partners to understand regulatory developments, including extended producer responsibility and incorporate their implications into project strategies
• Identify and engage industry experts and other collaborators to validate findings, address technical challenges and advance opportunities for implementation and scale
• Independently lead projects or major workstreams from initial strategy through execution, maintaining accountability for quality, timelines, budgets and outcomes
• Develop project plans, establish priorities, manage resources and coordinate activities across multiple concurrent initiatives
• Identify, engage and manage external consultants, technical specialists and vendors, ensuring their work meets project objectives and quality expectations
• Lead and coordinate cross‑functional project teams, providing direction, delegating responsibilities and supporting the development of junior colleagues
• Anticipate and resolve project challenges, manage competing priorities and adapt strategies as new information and implementation needs emerge
• Contribute to the development of new initiatives, project scopes, proposals and opportunities to expand the Center’s work

Requirements

• 7+ years of relevant professional experience in management consulting, professional services, corporate strategy, engineering consulting, industrial operations or similarly rigorous analytical and project leadership roles
• Demonstrated experience independently leading complex projects or engagements from initial problem definition through analysis, recommendations and execution
• Strong strategic thinking and problem‑solving skills, including the ability to structure ambiguous challenges, evaluate competing approaches and develop actionable solutions
• Strong quantitative and analytical capabilities, including experience with financial modeling, business case development, operational analysis or investment assessments
• Ability to quickly learn unfamiliar technical subjects, evaluate complex information, work effectively with technical experts and translate findings into sound business recommendations
• Experience managing client relationships and communicating directly with senior business leaders and external stakeholders
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to develop concise, compelling presentations, reports and recommendations for executive audiences
• Demonstrated experience managing project plans, budgets, timelines, external partners and competing priorities with limited oversight
• Experience leading teams or coordinating the work of colleagues, consultants and other project contributors
• Advanced proficiency with Excel, PowerPoint and Word, with strong attention to detail and commitment to high‑quality deliverables
• Demonstrated interest in sustainability and motivation to apply business and technical expertise to circular economy challenges
• US Work Authorization required

Benefits

• Full‑time, permanent position
• Competitive salary range based on experience level
• Opportunity to work on impactful circular economy projects with leading companies
• Position based in New York City with in‑office work environment
• Occasional travel for field work and client engagement
• Equal Opportunity Employer with commitment to diversity and inclusion