Research Director

YOUMAN, a recruitment and executive search firm, is assisting its valued client World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) in identifying a suitable candidate for the position of

Research Director, Tire Industry Project (TIP)

Location: Amsterdam – onsite/hybrid

About the job

The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) is a global community of over 225 of the world's leading businesses driving systems transformation for a better world in which 9+ billion people can live well, within planetary boundaries, by mid-century. Together, we transform the systems we work in to limit the impact of the climate crisis, restore nature, and tackle inequality.

Formed in 2005, the Tire Industry Project (TIP) is a voluntary, CEO-driven initiative with a mission to anticipate, understand, and address global environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues relevant to the tire industry and its value chain. TIP acts by commissioning independent research of the highest standards, collaborating on sectoral solutions, and engaging with external stakeholders. TIP currently brings together 10 leading tire companies (Bridgestone, Continental, Goodyear, Hankook, Kumho, Michelin, Pirelli, Sumitomo, Toyo and Yokohama) that represent more than 60% of the world's tire manufacturing capacity, and is co-chaired by Bridgestone, Goodyear and Michelin.

TIP operates under the umbrella of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD). WBCSD is a community of leaders from over 200 of the world's leading businesses working collectively to accelerate the system transformations needed for a net zero, nature-positive and more equitable future. WBCSD envisions a world in which more than 9 billion people can thrive within the limits of our planet by 2050.

Job overview

The Research Director will be part of the TIP WBCSD team (8-10 people) and work closely with the TIP CEO Representatives (CEO Reps), Facilitator Team (FT), working groups (WGs), project managers, communications, task forces (TFs), external partners and academia to ensure completion of scientific research on behalf of TIP, maximize the scientific relevance and independence, accessibility and impact of research and body of knowledge on these and evolving topics.

TIP is seeking a Research Director to:

• Oversee the scientific research program of TIP and
• Facilitate the engagement of the scientific community on potential human health and environmental issues associated with the tire life cycle (such as Tire and Road Wear Particles, Materials and Chemicals, and Nanomaterials).

Responsibilities and duties

• Applies experience engaging and communicating with the research community to identify key topics, partners, and reference experts to gather or validate the state of knowledge on key topics and ensure relevant and fact-based communication to stakeholders.
• In charge of driving consensus with the Research Co-Chairs from different companies, bringing different approaches into actionable conclusions.
• Ensures neutrality, and scientific robustness and integrity of the TIP research approach on key topics (based on his/her experience and by leveraging experts like the TIP Assurance Group and Advisory Panels).
• Holds accountability for the progress of TIP scientific research program: manages 2 Project Managers.
• Ensures objectives are achieved, timelines and budgets are managed, issues and risks are flagged, and deliverables optimized. With an overview informed by contributions from TIP Communications and other TIP action and engagement work, the Research Director assists and challenges the WGs and Project Managers in the development of study design, objective setting, identification of partners, project milestones, and study conclusions.
• Works with the TIP FT to plan and create industry alignment on the technical need and merit of proposed work plans as well as conclusions from completed work through TIP and/or regional tire trade associations.
• Facilitates WG reporting for management reviews at various levels (tactical and strategic), and Assurance Group reviews.
• Works together with the WGs, the Communications team, TFs, and consultants to synthetize knowledge (TIP and external), make sure that it remains up-to-date and available to the scientific community and general audience, helps identify key scientific actors and influencers, and validate and communicate key results and conclusions.
• Represents TIP on scientific topics in external interactions, conferences, inquiries and consultations.
• Ensures relevant and fact-based communication with stakeholders.
• Engages with the TIP, regional tire trade associations and external scientific community in sensing and planning for new and evolving topics.
• Advanced understanding of roles and responsibilities (distinctions) of the Research Director and membership companies, and advanced knowledge of the TIP Governance.

Qualifications, skills, and experience

Our ideal candidate has a track record of success in both the soft skills (listener, problem solver, and diplomat) and technical aspects of the role (scientific background).

The candidate should be able to demonstrate the following:

• Proven track record of strong listening, communication, and engagement/leadership skills, with the ability to synthetize complex topics, articulate challenges, build trust and engage stakeholders of various ranks and cultural backgrounds (able to lead multifunctional and multicultural teams in non-hierarchical structures).
• Global mindset coupled with hands-on experience working across geographies to build and nurture relationships with diverse groups and individuals.
• Project management: track record and demonstrated experience in project management and effective facilitation of different perspectives and interests towards a common objective, and resource management.
• Self-starter with a can-do attitude who is comfortable navigating uncharted territories and establishing structure and processes.
• Building effective and high-performing teams: capable of forming interactive and supportive teams, and supporting teamwork and team development.
• A PhD or MD in chemistry, toxicology, chemical engineering, engineering, or environmental sciences.
• Strong experience, knowledge, and responsibility in the management of research projects or scientific communication, in the private sector or academia.

The position is full-time and based in Geneva or Amsterdam (optional), and will require extensive international travel, and ability to work with teams established in different time zones.

WBCSD is a purpose driven, forward-thinking and action-oriented organization, characterized by diversity of gender, nationalities and work experiences.

The Work Environment

WBCSD offers a competitive, modern, and flexible working arrangement:

• Geneva-based organization with offices in Amsterdam, London, Singapore, Wuhan, Chicago and New York
• Competitive compensation and benefits
• State-of-the-art facilities and IT-enabled working tools
• Flex-time and part-time possibilities
• Dynamic working atmosphere
• Open culture encouraging interaction and sharing of ideas and opinions
• Sustainable commuting incentives