Programme Manager, Flexible Packaging, Plastics Team

Cowes, Isle of Wight or Remote UK based

Hybrid

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation is an international non-profit organisation committed to building a circular economy, and as such creating a better future for business, society and the natural world. As part of our Plastics Team, you will work collaboratively across the Foundation to drive progress towards this vision.

This Programme Manager role is an opportunity to co-shape and drive one of our flagship programmes, tackling one of the world’s most challenging sources of plastic packaging pollution. 25,000 pieces of flexible plastic packaging end up in the ocean every second. In this role you will have the opportunity to be at the forefront of driving innovative solutions to address this issue, making a major contribution to the circular economy transition.

In this role you will work alongside passionate, expert colleagues and partners who are committed to creating lasting change in a collaborative and forward-thinking workplace culture.

Our programme of work on flexible packaging is a key part of our overall 2030 Plastics Agenda. It engages a network of businesses, NGO, finance actors and other stakeholders to address flexible plastic packaging waste and pollution. Building on a recent publication, the programme’s main focus is on accelerating the development and scaling of paper-based alternatives, in particular in high-leakage countries. 

In this position we are looking for someone with proven experience managing senior stakeholders and shaping and coordinating different projects, each involving different partners and participating organisations. A demonstrated understanding of packaging innovation and/or experience in developing economies are a definite plus.

Role & Responsibilities:

You will work closely with the Flexibles Lead to drive the Flexibles Programme, being the main person responsible for shaping and delivering several of its projects and related stakeholder engagement. Your role would also involve representing the programme externally and building momentum behind it.

You will be part of a small Flexibles team and work closely with colleagues in our policy, finance and legal teams as well as with external partners to bring in their expertise where needed.

Main areas of work:

• Programme Delivery — Manage the delivery of multiple projects, ensuring they are aligned to maximise the programme’s impact. Projects may range from a packaging innovation programme to analytical studies, or work streams on policy, financing mechanisms or recyclability guidelines, for example. Your role will involve thinking through which partners might be needed to deliver, what the best governance setup is, how to engage the different partners, funders and stakeholders involved, and steering the projects to ensure they stay on track.

• Relationship Management and Development — Building and managing strong relationships with a wide network of businesses, innovators, investors, NGO and other actors engaged in the programme. Shaping and driving active and structured convening of this network, to further stimulate momentum, alignment and collaboration.

• Representing the Foundation at key meetings and events, and on occasions with the media, to consistently promote our vision of a circular economy and expand the momentum behind the programme. International travel to events and to engage local stakeholders is occasionally required.

• Programme Strategy setting — Support the Flexibles Lead, to develop and evolve the programme’s strategy. Based on continuous stakeholder engagement and a deep understanding of the topic, you would proactively identify and help prioritise impact opportunities, and co-shape the plans, governance and engagement model needed to turn these into real action.

Your Profile:

• A minimum of 7 years relevant work experience in a relevant sector (e.g. consultancy, business, NGO, or packaging innovation).

• Extensive project management experience with proven capability of managing multiple projects in parallel with tight deadlines and multiple stakeholders involved, ensuring high-quality results, and effectively collaborating with various internal departments and external partners. Experience in (management) consulting is a plus.

• Extensive relationship management experience, particularly in the context of global, multi-stakeholder initiatives; the ability to interact effectively with individuals at various management levels across a variety of organisations and geographies.

• Strong analytical thinking skills: ability to process, structure and synthesise complex information and communicate it in a way that is tailored to the relevant audience;

• Communication and facilitation skills, including public speaking; evidence of shaping and delivering impactful workshops; evidence of mobilising stakeholders behind a common agenda; evidence of having written engaging documents.

• Experience in packaging innovation is a definite plus. As a minimum, ability to quickly grasp technical content and navigate conversations with technical experts is essential.

• Experience in or strong understanding of the packaging or waste management sector in developing economies is a plus (esp. South/South-East Asia).

• Excellent written and spoken English.

Why Join the Ellen MacArthur Foundation?

Mission-Driven Work: Be part of an organisation working on some of the most pressing challenges of our time: circular economy and systemic change.

Collaborative Culture: Work in a dynamic, diverse, and collaborative environment where every team member is valued and empowered to contribute.

Growth and Impact: Play a key role in shaping an organisation that is influencing global systems and driving positive environmental change

Work-Life Balance: We believe in creating a healthy, balanced work environment. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation offers flexible working options to support the well-being of our employees.

Please click the green icon where you will be asked to upload a CV and covering letter. We welcome the thoughtful use of tools, but applications should reflect your own skills, experience, and voice; over-reliance on AI-generated content tends not to reflect authenticity in applications.

Desired starting date: Asap.

Closing date: 25th June 2026

Salary package: circa £59,000 per annum plus generous holiday allowance, 25 days plus UK Bank Holidays plus discretionary organisational extra days leave at Christmas and Easter, generous parental leave; enhanced pension options/private health scheme after 6 months; wellbeing programme.

Location: UK

Application process:

• Initial online meeting with our Talent team and prospective Line manager to start the process (we will send you the outline of the interview, so you know what to expect).

• A work-related assignment to prepare at home and present online, so we know you will be comfortable with the type of work you would do here.

• Interview with our People Team, Executive Lead and prospective manager.

What we do

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation develops and promotes the idea of a circular economy. We work with, and inspire, business, academia, policymakers, and institutions to mobilise systems solutions at scale, globally. Our mission is to accelerate the transition to a circular economy.

Our vision is a new economic system that delivers better outcomes for people and the environment. Business models, products, and materials are designed to increase use and reuse, replicating the balance of the natural world, where nothing becomes waste, and everything has value. A circular economy, increasingly built on renewable energy and materials, is distributed, diverse, and inclusive.

Our commitment to you​

We are keen to receive applications from people from underrepresented backgrounds, including (but not limited to) those of colour, people with disabilities, people who identify as LGBTQIA+, and people from other marginalised groups. It is important to us that our recruitment approach makes the opportunity as accessible as possible and ensures a diverse range of people are able to demonstrate their potential. We would be happy to provide any further support that you may require - please get in touch so that we can work together.

If you would like further information on our diversity and inclusion policy or any further assistance, please contact us at recruitment@ellenmacarthurfoundation.org.