Planetary Technologies' vision is to protect and restore the ocean and climate for generations to come. We do this by enhancing the ocean's natural ability to fight climate change through carbon dioxide removal and storage. Our team combines expertise in ocean science, metallurgy and geochemistry to safely and effectively scale up ocean-based CO2 management solutions. Working collaboratively with all of our stakeholders, we develop a cost effective and sustainable set of tools aimed at protecting and restoring our oceans and climate, ultimately doing carbon dioxide removal and storage at gigatonne scale.
We are leaders, scientists, and engineers working together to collectively embody our values: respect, curiosity & creativity, accept responsibility, and win for all.
Planetary is hiring a VP Community Relations who will take responsibility for establishing and maintaining our license to operate. This includes community, stakeholder and rightsholder engagement, regulatory policy, brand and communications.
By approaching community engagement with authenticity, honesty, and respect, we intend to set a standard for trustworthy dialogue and interaction that respects community stakeholders and ultimately integrates community interests in the implementation of our CDR projects as we scale.
Core Responsibilities
Community Engagement Leadership
- Bring an ethos of respect for community history, concerns, and people to the design and implementation of community engagement strategies
- Act as an ambassador for Planetary, and promote our community engagement across key community groups, including: academic, scientific, regulatory, local / regional / national government, indigenous communities, fishers, and non-governmental organizations like environmental groups
- Help to spread knowledge and awareness of our CDR pathway and current and proposed projects within the community
- Identify and engage with a broad range of stakeholders, including those who may not be typically engaged in advocating for their groups and for themselves
- Collaborate with stakeholders to develop a plan for ocean alkalinity enhancement projects that can positively impact the local community
- Engage directly with our stakeholders to help Planetary incorporate their knowledge into our project planning
- Identify, quantify, report and track metrics of stakeholder engagement across all active projects
- Over the long term seek to attract and develop a team of community engagement specialists at each of our primary project sites
Leading Communications
- Attract and grow a communications lead who will manage and develop Planetary-owned communications channels (ie social media, video, web) and external (PR) channels
- Ensure timely and transparent communication to all stakeholders
- Develop the Planetary brand in keeping with our mission and values
Regulatory Policy
- Engage with international and national bodies to advocate for policies that support and progress Planetary's permission to operate
- Liaise with advocacy groups like Carbon Removal Canada, the Carbon Removal Alliance, Carbon Business Council and the World Ocean Council
About You
- Excellent knowledge of community engagement principles normally acquired through a university degree in a related discipline or an equivalent combination of education and work experience.
- Experience developing strong relationships with indigenous rightsholders and communities
- At least 5 years of related experience.
- Preference will be given to candidates who have experience in clean technology industries
- Proven experience of developing and implementing a community engagement plan with quantifiable metrics. Experience with stakeholder mapping, design and implementation of community engagement strategies.
- Ability to build positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders and partners. Ability to persuade and influence people and groups without a relationship of authority. Excellent negotiation skills and ability to act tactfully and with diplomacy.
- Experience with crisis management, including strong interpersonal skills that allow you to find common ground and understanding among many (possibly competing or conflicting) perspectives
- Curiosity about climate change technologies and passion about protecting our world for future generations
- Deep knowledge of the environmental context of the local community, especially around topics related to the ocean is an asset.
- Ability to visit stakeholders near and around our OAE project sites (estimated travel < 25%)
About Planetary
Planetary is committed to supporting and valuing the diversity of our team as well as the diversity of the clients and communities we serve. Valuing diversity means recognizing and respecting human differences and similarities - creating the context where each person can develop and bring their best self to their work and life. We are committed to employment equity and will endeavour, where feasible, to eliminate systemic barriers to advancement and/or redress the under-utilization of underrepresented groups. We are committed to equal employment and we encourage candidates from all cultural and educational backgrounds as well as all genders and sexualities to apply.