Summary
Goodwill is the largest nonprofit workforce development network in North America and a central force in the circular economy, operating at scale across the United States and Canada. The Manager of Sustainability at Goodwill Industries International leads the execution of complex, high‑impact initiatives that advance Goodwill’s sustainability priorities across a diverse, multi‑stakeholder network. This role translates strategy into action by managing projects and programs that deliver measurable environmental and community outcomes.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the planning, execution, and delivery of multiple, concurrent sustainability projects and programs with varying scopes, timelines, and stakeholders
- Develop and manage project plans, workstreams, timelines, milestones, and deliverables to ensure initiatives remain on track and aligned with strategic objectives
- Coordinate cross-departmentally and throughout the Goodwill network to support alignment, communication, and effective implementation
- Prepare clear, executive‑ready materials and updates for internal leadership and project partners
- Assist in translating pilot projects and studies into recommendations that inform broader strategy and future initiatives
- Support data collection, synthesis, and documentation of project outcomes, insights, and lessons learned
- Contribute to internal knowledge‑sharing and capacity‑building related to sustainability project execution
- Help develop tools, templates, and resources that improve consistency and effectiveness across projects and programs
- Manage projects that may be supported by external funding, applying strong grant and compliance practices as needed
- Support collaboration with external partners, including nonprofits, funders, industry groups, and technical experts
- Serve as a connector across organizations and teams, helping align priorities, expectations, and timelines
- Facilitate meetings, working groups, and project check‑ins to advance shared goals and decision‑making
- Represent Goodwill with professionalism and credibility in cross‑sector settings
- Support GII Sustainability Team in managing projects and day-to-day tasks
- Other duties as assigned
Relationships
Internal: Daily contact with GII team members to coordinate projects and support activities
Local Goodwills: Frequent contact with Goodwill CEOs and senior staff
External: Frequent contact with external partners
Skills Needed
- Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple workstreams, deadlines, and stakeholders simultaneously
- Ability to design, implement, and oversee projects from inception to evaluation
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to distill complex work into clear, audience‑appropriate materials
- Highly organized, detail‑oriented, and comfortable working in a fast‑moving environment
- Ability to prioritize amongst competing needs and opportunities
- Outstanding interpersonal skills with diverse people and cultures
- Flexibility, open-mindedness, and agility to pivot and think outside the box
- Travel as necessary (10-15%) to carry out duties and responsibilities
Education: Minimum of bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in one or more of the following fields:
- Sustainability, environmental science, or environmental studies
- Public policy, public administration, or nonprofit management
- Business administration, operations, or management
- Project management, systems thinking, or a related discipline
Experience
- Five or more years of relevant professional experience managing complex projects or programs, preferably in sustainability, social impact, philanthropy, nonprofit, or cross‑sector settings
- Demonstrated ability to lead multiple concurrent initiatives, manage competing priorities, and deliver results in a collaborative, fast‑moving environment
- Strong project management experience, including planning, execution, coordination across teams, and progress tracking, with grant management experience preferred
- Experience working across organizations or networks with diverse stakeholders toward shared goals
- Proven ability to communicate clearly and effectively with senior leaders, partners, and cross‑functional team
Decision making: Decision and recommendation making for developing systems, appropriate responses to identified needs, and consultative guidance to improve performance.
Supervision: Moderate with latitude given to the position in carrying out work assignments. Work is checked for accuracy and completeness.
Physical effort: Sedentary with lifting 10 pounds maximum and occasionally lifting and/or carrying such articles or files. Walking and standing are required occasionally; long hours sitting at a desk and using a computer.
Emotional effort: Work environment usually hectic with periods of high stress. Must demonstrate a positive attitude in meeting daily challenges.
Our Values
We believe everyone deserves an opportunity to thrive. Goodwill’s mission grounds us and happens through each one of us. This aspiration applies to each GII team member as much as to the people we serve. GII’s organizational values guide all that we do; how we do our work and make decisions, and how we interact with each other, Goodwill members and all stakeholders.
Our mission happens through me (Passion)
We have a fire for our mission. We bring our energy, creativity and passion to all that we do. By contributing the best of what is within each of us, we inspire the same in our peers, and multiply Goodwill’s impact.
Drive to make a difference (Impact)
We believe that our work must lead to a measurable difference in the lives of the people Goodwill serves. We are committed to performance excellence in all that we do. Our strategy focuses our work to achieve that impact, and we say no to things that do not align.
You before me (Respect)
We treat all people with dignity, kindness, appreciation and respect. We are curious without judgment, and we actively listen to ensure mutual understanding. We give everyone a caring and safe place to share their opinions, their talents, and their questions. We build trust through direct, clear and transparent communication. We are open and humble.
Thriving begins at home (Well-being)
We respect the contributions and the needs of our individual team members equally, and we understand that each one of us needs different things at different times to thrive both in and out of the workplace. We strive to make genuine and continuous investments in one another and ourselves. As such, we adopt healthy, holistic approaches to our work. We proactively care for one another and ourselves by speaking up for what we need and supporting one another in achieving it.
Out of many, One Goodwill (Advancing our mission together)
We embrace all people and perspectives as we advance Goodwill’s mission to help people reach their full potential through the power of work. We acknowledge historical inequities still exist and are intentional in breaking barriers. We are committed to being part of the solutions, leaning into courageous conversations, and providing inclusive spaces and equal opportunities for real change in all of our endeavors. Our diversified reflection shall shine as one Goodwill.
Be bold, learn and grow (Agility)
We are open, creative, innovative, agile and willing to take risks. We operate with a sense of urgency, without rushing for the sake of speed. While we do our best to make good decisions, we embrace failure for the learning it affords and adapt quickly to move ahead. We are one unified team that succeeds and stumbles, and learns and grows together with humility and grace.
