Regional Environmental Affairs Director

Reworld Waste; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 157,000 - 224,400; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical plan

Prescription coverage

Vision plan

Dental plan

401(k)

Parental leave

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Job summary

Reworld Waste in Chicago, IL seeks a Regional Environmental Affairs Director to lead sustainability, compliance, and environmental programs across the Midwest. This newly created role designs regional strategy, ensures accountability, and engages communities, clients, and regulators to advance the company’s sustainability promise.

The candidate will collaborate with corporate teams, lead an environmental group, and report to the Midwest President.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related scientific or engineering discipline; Master’s degree preferred.
• 10+ years of related experience in environmental areas, including compliance, permitting, sustainability.
• Ability to travel approximately 35% of the time.

Responsibilities

• Establish community partnerships across the Midwest to drive engagement and brand image.
• Support regional growth through government relations and permitting efforts.
• Educate regional sales teams on sustainability and environmental affairs to grow business.
• Lead environmental performance indicators and corrective actions across the region.
• Coordinate with Corporate Environmental team to standardize policies and ensure flawless execution.
• Lead the Midwest Environmental team and develop talent pipeline.
• Present to executives, customers, and government representatives to push sustainability agenda.
• Engage sites to proactively resolve environmental issues using lean/CI practices.

Education

Bachelor of Science Degree

Master’s degree

Job description

Regional Environmental Affairs Director – Midwest Region, Chicago, IL

Reporting to the Midwest President, the Regional Environmental Affairs Director is a brand‑new role with the opportunity to lead environmental, sustainability, and compliance activities across the region, its facilities, and communities. This position will design the regional sustainability and environmental strategy, ensuring local accountability, strong community involvement, partnership, and engagement from all functions. The director will interface with existing and potential customers, effectively communicate sustainability visions and goals, and lead all efforts to uphold the company’s sustainability promise.

Your Work Will Include

• Strategically establish community partners within the Midwest region to create mutually beneficial relationships, a positive brand image, and engagement from our teams; grow site environmental leaders to own the local work with their own community partners.
• Support growth within the region to advance sustainable waste management services through community and governmental relations and permitting efforts.
• Educate and support the regional sales teams on sustainability and environmental affairs to grow business and exceed customer and sales expectations.
• Spearhead key environmental performance indicators and corrective actions, rallying the team to ensure expectations are met.
• Liaise with the Corporate Environmental team to influence enterprise policy and procedure, ensuring standardization, consistency, and flawless execution.
• Lead the Midwest Environmental team through direct and indirect reporting relationships, growing and developing talent and ensuring a strong pipeline of experts.
• Present to executive leaders, staff, customers, and governmental representatives to educate, influence, and push the sustainability agenda forward.
• Proactively engage with Midwest sites to resolve and prevent environmental issues, using lean practices and a continuous improvement mindset.

Candidate Profile

We are looking for a passionate leader who wants the opportunity to take on a role that will have a significant impact on sustainability. Through their work they will grow the business, educate our workforce, and build meaningful partnerships with the community. The successful candidate must have 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in diverse environmental areas—including compliance, permitting, stack tests, sustainability, and climate change—and be located in the Chicago area or willing to relocate.

It Would Be Great If The Candidate Had

• Experience developing and/or negotiating permit applications, with a focus on Title V air operating permits and solid waste facility permits.
• Experience with corporate strategy development and implementation.
• Executive level experience with Profit and Loss management.
• Experience interpreting and analyzing State and Federal regulations that impact the waste‑to‑energy industry.
• Detailed knowledge of environmental regulatory programs such as RCRA and the Clean Air Act.
• Experience in a Lean / Continuous Improvement environment.
• Successful experience interacting with Federal, State and local regulators, legislators, permitting agencies and other community organizations.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science Degree in a related scientific or engineering discipline; Master’s degree preferred.
• 10+ years’ related experience.
• Ability to travel approximately 35% of the time.

Benefits

In addition to salary, this role is eligible for medical, prescription drug, vision, and dental plans; a 401(k) plan; paid parental leave; paid time off; and paid holidays. Additional details are available at https://www.reworldwaste.com/careers/benefits.

Pay Transparency

The pay range for the primary location of this position is $157,000.00 – $224,400.00 USD per annum. The final salary offered for this role will be determined based on factors including experience, education, geographic location, skills, competencies, travel requirements, and other considerations.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Reworld is an Equal Opportunity Employer, has developed an affirmative action program, and will not discriminate against any qualified applicants because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

DEI Commitment

Reworld is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We provide reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities and adhere to all applicable laws. For more information on accommodations, please visit our careers page.