Manager – Circularity and Resource Security - Recycled Content Standard

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.  

We accelerate value chain transformation across key sectors and reshape the financial system to reward sustainable leadership and action through a lower cost of capital. Through the exchange of best practices, improving performance, accessing education, forming partnerships, and shaping the policy agenda, we drive progress in businesses and sharpen the accountability of their performance.

Role overview
​Own the development of WBCSD’s recycled-content methodology under its Circularity program in three stages: first, establish a clear, evidence-based view of what already exists, mapping existing product-level standards, certification schemes, methodologies and data models for recycled content and circular performance so the work starts from the real gap rather than assumption; second, work directly with member companies to define and continuously test, from practical use cases, what the methodology needs to achieve; third, work with WBCSD member companies and partners to develop and release the methodological output. The methodology should leverage and be designed for compatibility with existing data model and exchange infrastructure and protocols such as WBCSD Partnership for Carbon Transparency (PACT), so that recycled-content and circular performance data can later move through existing exchange rails already built for product carbon.

Key responsibilities

• Map and assess the existing landscape for recycled-content measurement, calculation and assurance, existing standards, certification schemes, methodologies and data models to establish a clear, evidenced view of what already exists and where the genuine gaps are.
• Convene and lead the WBCSD member working group, bringing together sustainability reporting, product compliance, quality and certification, procurement, data and business-systems owners, and commercial and finance leads, to define from real company use cases what the methodology needs to achieve in practice.
• Develop the recycled-content methodology, including scope, calculation rules and assurance requirements, from scoping in through drafting to a published methodology, building on the landscape assessment and member input.
• Design the methodology for assessment of circular performance as well as compatibility with existing data model and exchange infrastructure such as WBCSD PACT, so that a later technical implementation can leverage existing infrastructure for product carbon data.
• Test drafts against real company data and use cases, ensuring the methodology works with members’ existing product compliance and certification workflows rather than creating a parallel reporting burden.
• Work with the wider team of WBCSD’s Circularity program to complement the Global Circularity Protocol (GCP), so GCP’s measurement of circular performance can draw on a comparable, trusted recycled-content figure
• Maintain close technical consultation with the WBCSD PACT team through development, to ensure alignment with PACT’s data model, roadmap and assurance approach, and to draw on PACT’s experience building the carbon exchange layer.
• Manage the delivery plan, budget, risks and reporting for the deliverable; escalate where scope, resources or timelines are at risk; and make the evidence-based case for how the work should continue beyond 2027, including the technical development that is outside the 2027 scope.
• Collaborate with the wider Circularity team including two Associates that support across the program scope, and the Senior Manager and Manager working on the Global Circularity Protocol v2.0. Define dedicated support needs and development opportunities for Associates in context of the recycled content and circular performance data workstream.

Competencies needed for the role

• Analysis and Technical Expertise: Assesses existing standards, methodologies and data models accurately, distinguishing genuine gaps from existing coverage before proposing new work.
• Planning and Establishing Direction: Sequences a technical deliverable through assessment, member-defined requirements and methodology development, holding a fixed 2027 deadline while adapting as the gap analysis clarifies scope.
• Networking and Partnerships: Builds working relationships with member companies, certification bodies and the PACT team, keeping technical compatibility and alignment live throughout rather than resolving it at handover.
• Member Centricity: Grounds the standard’s requirements in real company use cases and systems, not in abstract methodology.
• Communication and Influence: Translates technical and methodological choices into decisions that sustainability, compliance and commercial audiences can act on.

Essential skills, knowledge and experience
Required

• Demonstrated experience conducting a landscape or gap assessment of existing product-level technical standards, methodologies or data frameworks   (e.g., EU ESPR, ISO 59040, recycled content / closed-loop approaches, PCDS..), and using it to scope new work credibly so that it complements and harmonizes existing standards 
• At least 5 years of technical expertise in recycled-content measurement, calculation and assurance, including mass balance, pre- and post-consumer attribution, chain of custody and certification-scheme claims models.
• Experience taking a standard, specification or methodology from scoping to published output through a multi-stakeholder working group.
• Working knowledge of data exchange, data infrastructure, and interoperability design, sufficient to design a methodology compatible with an existing data model and exchange infrastructure rather than independently.
• Understanding of how sustainability data moves inside companies, across business systems, product compliance, procurement and certification workflows.
• Proven ability to deliver a defined methodological output to a fixed deadline, working independently and drawing in expertise where needed.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, with the ability to document technical work clearly for both expert and business audiences.

Preferred technical knowledge

• Awareness of how recycled-content and circular product data connects to regulatory requirements, including evolving product and recycled-content regulation, and what that means for data demand from members.
• Ability to transfer existing performance and impact assessment methodologies to product circularity and recycled content so that the methodology can cover an inventory and intervention scope.
• Working knowledge of the WBCSD PACT methodology and technical specifications, and what conformance requires of a company’s systems and suppliers is a plus

The position is fixed-term, based in our Amsterdam or London Office, and requires international travel.

WBCSD is a purpose-driven organization that values diversity across gender, nationalities, and professional backgrounds. Headquartered in Geneva, with offices in Amsterdam, London, Singapore, Wuhan, Chicago, and New York.

What we offer

• Generous Time Off to Recharge: In addition to 25 days of paid holiday, you will have extra time off on your birthday and one cultural or religious celebration day. In addition, the option to buy up to 5 additional days each year for even more flexibility.
• Hybrid & Flexible Work: Work from the office a few days a week and from home the rest, with flexible hours to fit personal needs.
• Supported Hybrid Work: Financial support to set up your home office with essentials like a screen, headset, and desk for home work days
• Mobility/Transport: We offer an annual contribution towards public transportation or other soft mobility options.
• A Pension scheme: Our comprehensive pension scheme allows you to invest in your future.
• Learning and Development: Free access to LinkedIn Learning, and the possibility to engage in other training opportunities.