Senior Director, Applied Science

POSITION SUMMARY:

• The Science department serves as the central resource hub guiding Rainforest Alliance's strategy through products, global programs, regional projects, and partnerships, while supporting engagement with companies, donors, consumers, and other stakeholders. It provides technical expertise across climate, regenerative agriculture, forestry, human rights, and monitoring & evaluation to ensure consistent, high-impact program design and delivery.
• The Senior Director, Applied Science, drives the practical application of this expertise across all impact pathways, ensuring clear value propositions, operating models, tools, decision-making processes, revenue models, assurance mechanisms, and claims frameworks, while embedding coordination, accountability, and continuous learning across the organization. The department also leads methodologies for measuring organizational and partner impact and advances producer-centric approaches.
• As Senior Director, Applied Science, you will lead a global, multidisciplinary team of technical experts, partnership leads, and impact evaluators, and serve on the Senior Management Team. You will ensure strategic alignment, scientific credibility, and a strong internal and external reputation, while translating complex science into actionable solutions and fostering innovation, collaboration, and talent development.
• With a strong focus on producer impact, you will drive cross-functional alignment, enable data-driven decision-making, and identify opportunities to strengthen internal and external partnerships to accelerate impact at scale.
• You will report to the Chief Growth and Impact Officer.

WHAT YOU WILL DO:

Lead with Vision:

• Set and drive the global science agenda, aligning technical expertise with strategic priorities
• Develop and implement scientific strategies to achieve our goals and objectives.

Build World-Class Teams:

• Lead and inspire a diverse, global team of world-class technical experts across climate, agriculture, forestry, GIS, and M&E
• Use research, findings, impact data, and qualitative sources to make decisions that guide certification and program implementation

Translating Science into Impact:

• Turn complex technical insights into practical, market-ready solutions and programs

Champion Producer-Centricity:

• Embed farmer and forest community needs at the heart of all programs and solutions
• Lead programmatic experts to support the design and development of certification and programs across the organization based on standard methodology in their respective fields.

Shape External Influence:

• Represent the Rainforest Alliance at important global events with credibility and impact across partners, donors, and policy forums
• Master's degree in Climate, Environmental Science, Forestry, Agriculture, Biology, Social Sciences, or a related field.

WHAT YOU BRING:

• 15 years of progressive, relevant experience, with at least 10 years developing and driving department-level strategy and budgets and leading senior staff in multiple countries.
• 10 years senior-leadership experience leading collaboration with companies, donors, and strategic alliances.
• Proven track record of scientific achievements and contributions to the field.
• In-depth knowledge of scientific principles, theories, and methodologies.
• Knowledge of sustainable development issues and commitment to Rainforest Alliance's goals: conserving forests and other high-value ecosystems; restoring production systems and rural landscapes; mitigating climate change and building climate resilience; and strengthening livelihoods and securing human rights.
• Direct experience working with producers (small, medium, and large) and/or forest communities.
• Key competencies: transformational leadership, innovation, adaptability, persuasion, critical and reflective thinking, public speaking, resourcefulness, relationship building based on trust, empathy, and openness, and strong organizational skills to manage multiple priorities in a time-critical manner.