Regional Environmental Affairs Director

About the role

Regional Environmental Affairs Director – Midwest Region, Chicago, IL

Responsibilities

The Regional Environmental Affairs Director will:

• Strategically establish community partners within the Midwest region to create mutually beneficial relationships, a positive brand image, and engagement from employees.
• 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 and rally 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 building a strong pipeline of experts.
• Present to executive leaders, staff, customers, and government officials to educate, influence, and advance the sustainability agenda.
• 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 can significantly impact sustainability, 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, climate change, and related fields.
• Ability to travel approximately 35%.
• Be located in the Chicago area or willing to relocate.

Additional desired experience

• Experience developing and negotiating permit applications, focusing 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, specifically those impacting the waste‑to‑energy industry.
• Detailed knowledge of environmental regulatory programs (e.g., RCRA, Clean Air Act).
• Experience in a lean or continuous improvement environment.
• Successful interaction with federal, state, local regulators, legislators, permitting agencies, and community organizations.

Required qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in a related scientific (biology, chemistry, environmental science) or engineering (environmental, chemical, mechanical) discipline; a master’s degree preferred.
• 10+ years of related experience.
• Ability to travel 35%.

Benefits

In addition to salary, this role is eligible for benefits including medical, prescription drug, vision, and dental plans; 401(k) plan; paid parental leave; paid time off; and paid holidays. Further details are available at

Pay Transparency

Pay range for the primary location of this position: $157,000.00 - $224,400.00 USD per annum.

Our DEI Commitment

Reworld is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We will not discriminate based on any protected characteristic.