Automotive Recycling Project Lead

Open Role: Automotive Recycling Project Lead

Location: UK, Continental Europe, Switzerland, remote

Employment Type: Fixed-term contract (February–December 2026)

About the Global Impact Coalition:

The Global Impact Coalition (GIC) is a collaborative platform enabling the chemical industry to achieve a circular and net-zero emissions future. Incubated at the World Economic Forum, the Global Impact Coalition is led by key industry players including SABIC, Clariant, Covestro, LyondellBasell, Mitsubishi Chemical Group, Syensqo and SUEZ. GIC enables its members to collaborate on challenges that cannot be effectively tackled alone. The GIC provides a cross-industry platform to co-develop and scale-up new technologies and innovative business models to reduce carbon emissions and advance circularity along the value chain.

One of our core projects focuses on building a recycling value chain specifically for the automotive plastics industry. Phase 1 of this project delivered foundational insights into automotive plastic complexity, dismantling costs, and material quality trade-offs. Phase 2 (this role) focuses on translating those learnings into economically viable solutions with clear paths to implementation.

Position Overview:

We are looking for a dynamic candidate who has experience in both PMO and complex business case and scenario modelling. This role combines strategic project leadership with hands-on analytical work. You will serve as the central Project Management Office (PMO) driving the overall project across seven work packages while directly leading two critical work packages: WP1 (Business Case & Scenario Modelling) and WP5 (Scale-up Business Model & Playbook). Success in this role means complex stakeholder management across 10+ companies, developing robust analytical work, and ensuring the overall project stays on track.

Key Responsibilities:Project Management:

• Own the overall Phase 2 delivery across 7 work packages (WP1–WP7), ensuring coordination, timeline adherence, and budget management
• Facilitate working group meetings with chemical companies, OEMs, dismantlers, and recyclers, synthesizing diverse inputs into aligned priorities
• Design and implement stage-gate governance with clear go/no-go decision criteria tied to quantitative KPIs
• Prepare executive communications, progress reports, and stakeholder presentations that translate technical findings into strategic insights
• Manage consortium dynamics: balancing competing company interests while maintaining project cohesion and momentum

Consulting Support: Business Case, Scenario Modelling, Roadmap Development

• Develop detailed business cases including scenario modelling for specific automotive components, recycling pathways. Define quantitative KPIs: €/kg costs, yield percentages, quality specifications, throughput metrics, and payback periods
• Benchmark global initiatives to ensure solutions remain cost-competitive
• Deliver business case documentation suitable for executive leadership
• Map the ELV plastic recycling ecosystem, identifying key players, value chains, infrastructure gaps by region
• Create a transferable methodology/playbook applicable across regions (EU, China, Saudi Arabia, US) despite varying regulatory environments

Qualifications:

• 7+ years of experience in project management, strategy consulting within materials, chemicals, automotive, or sustainability sectors
• Demonstrated track record managing multi-stakeholder initiatives with competing corporate interests and complex governance structures
• Strong financial modelling capabilities: able to build bottom-up cost models, scenario analyses, and business cases from first principles
• Experience translating complex technical information into executive-ready communications and strategic recommendations
• Fluent English; additional European languages (German, French) advantageous for stakeholder engagement
• Ability to travel in Europe
• Bachelor's degree in finance, engineering, chemistry, business, or related field

Nice to Have:

• Technical literacy in plastics, polymers, or recycling processes (mechanical and/or chemical recycling understanding preferred)
• Direct experience with circular economy initiatives, extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes, or automotive recycling value chains
• Network within automotive OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, or chemical/polymer companies
• Experience with consortium-based R&D or pre-competitive industry collaborations

What We Offer:

• Compensation package aligned with project responsibility
• Opportunity to work on an impactful project that contributes to sustainability in the automotive sector
• Collaborative and inclusive work culture that values innovation and initiative

If you are passionate about sustainability and have the expertise to drive project success in the automotive and / or chemical industry, we encourage you to apply. Join us in making a difference!

Global Impact Coalition is an equal opportunity employer. Due to the nature of the role and the location of the secretariat, we are only considering applicants who are based in Europe and have the right to work in the EU, UK, or Switzerland at this stage.Please submit your resume and a brief cover letter outlining your interest in the position and how your skills align with the responsibilities. Email your application to contact@wearegic.com