Program Manager, The Center for the Circular Economy

Closed Loop Partners is at the forefront of building the circular economy. The firm is comprised of three key businesses that create a platform for systems change. Closed Loop Capital Management is the firm’s investment group, managing venture capital, buyout and catalytic private credit investment strategies on behalf of global corporations, financial institutions and family offices. Closed Loop Builders is the firm’s operating group, incubating, building and scaling circular economy infrastructure and services.  The Closed Loop Center for the Circular Economy is the firm’s innovation arm that helps businesses solve their most pressing material challenges.  

Closed Loop Center’s services go beyond the work of consultancies and think tanks — we roll up our sleeves with business leaders to research commercial opportunities, design circular solutions and build cutting-edge initiatives in market. Based in New York City and working with cities across the country, we partner with the world’s most influential companies to solve the material challenges they can’t tackle on their own. Learn more about Closed Loop Center’s work at https://closedloopcenter.com and https://closedlooppartners.com.  

Role Overview 

The Center seeks a Program Manager who can bring strong analytical thinking and client service skills to complex sustainability and circularity challenges. You will frame questions, analyze quantitative and qualitative information, develop clear recommendations and help turn them into programs in market. The work combines the rigor and variety of consulting with direct involvement in implementation alongside companies, service providers and other partners. 

This role is particularly well suited to someone who has spent roughly two to three years building a foundation in consulting, professional services, corporate strategy, supply chain or operations analysis and is ready to apply those skills to sustainability. Prior circular economy experience is welcome but not required. You should be eager to learn unfamiliar sectors quickly and comfortable owning substantive pieces of work with support from a collaborative team. 

Location: In-Office New York City, NY 

Salary Range: $95,000 to $110,000 

Target Start Date: November or December 2026, pending project launch date 

This is a full-time position(s) and permanent position in our New York City Office. Applicants are expected to start this position by November 2026 or December 2026, pending project start launch date. Outstanding candidates who require a later start date will be considered. 

To apply, please submit your resume, work sample and cover letter. Due to the volume of applications only qualified applicants will be contacted to schedule an interview. Please do not contact Closed Loop Partners staff to request information or a pre-application meeting, or to follow up on your submitted application.  

Responsibilities 

Strategy Analysis and Recommendations 

• Structure ambiguous business and environmental challenges into clear questions, research plans and practical next steps.
• Conduct market research, interviews and quantitative and qualitative analysis; test assumptions and identify what the evidence means for partners.
• Build clear analyses, presentations and written recommendations for corporate partners and other decision makers.
• Own defined workstreams from initial question through a polished deliverable, with careful attention to accuracy and deadlines.

Program Design and Implementation 

• Help design and run multi-stakeholder initiatives in reuse, recycling and other circular economy areas, translating recommendations into workplans and in-market tests.
• Work with vendors and partners on program design, field execution, data collection, performance measurement and reporting.
• Use results from pilots and operations to refine programs, explain what worked and recommend what to do next.
• Manage your work across concurrent projects, coordinate the inputs needed from colleagues and experts, and adapt as priorities evolve.

Partner Engagement 

• Work directly with companies, service providers, NGOs, trade groups and other partners to understand their needs and advance shared projects.
• Prepare and present updates and findings; contribute to workshops and partner discussions that lead to decisions and action.
• Work with policy colleagues to understand relevant developments, including extended producer responsibility, and incorporate them into project analysis.

Required Qualifications 

• Approximately two to three years of experience in consulting, professional services, corporate strategy, supply chain or operations analysis, or a similarly rigorous analytical role.
• Experience delivering work for clients or internal business leaders, with ownership of analysis and polished presentations or written recommendations.
• Strong problem solving and analytical skills, including the ability to make sense of incomplete information and learn new subject matter quickly.
• Clear, concise writing and confident communication with colleagues and external stakeholders.
• Proficiency with Excel, PowerPoint and Word; strong attention to detail and ability to manage several priorities.
• Demonstrated interest in sustainability and motivation to apply your skills to circular economy challenges.

Preferred Qualifications 

• Exposure to retail, foodservice, consumer goods, packaging, recycling, logistics or related industries.
• Experience with field pilots, consumer research, behavioral insights, supply chain operations or policy analysis.
• Familiarity with reuse, recycling systems, commodity markets or extended producer responsibility.

Occasional travel is required. Our projects span multiple disciplines, so the exact mix of responsibilities will vary. We welcome candidates who bring the core analytical and communication skills above even if they have not worked in every sector listed. 

Closed Loop Partners is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, nationality, or sex. 

You must have US Work Authorization in order to be considered for any open Closed Loop Partners position.