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Vice President of Sustainability Engagement

Shaw Industries • United States • Added on Aug 4, 2026
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As the Vice President of Sustainability Engagement, you will lead the bridge between technical ESG performance and market activation. You will own the external-facing narrative, ensuring that complex environmental commitments are translated into clear business value for customers, architects, and industry partners. By capturing market intelligence and monitoring emerging trends, you will directly influence how the organization adapts its enterprise strategy to stay ahead of regulatory and competitive shifts.

This role is critical because flooring and textiles have a massive footprint in the built environment. You will be the voice of a multi-billion dollar manufacturing leader, moving the needle on circularity and healthy materials by fostering deep-rooted industry partnerships. Your work ensures that sustainability is not just a compliance exercise but a core driver of customer preference and long-term brand equity.

This suits someone who is a masterful communicator with over a decade of experience in sustainability and strategy, possessing the unique ability to turn technical data into a visionary market narrative that resonates with executive-level stakeholders.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The core mission involves acting as a high-level liaison between the global sustainability team, brand leaders, and external stakeholders. You will be responsible for translating complex sustainability data into compelling business stories that resonate with customers and industry influencers. Key responsibilities include representing the company at executive forums, monitoring emerging regulatory and market trends, and collaborating with sales and marketing teams to build scalable educational tools. You will also oversee the evolution of the sustainability narrative to ensure it remains authentic and technically credible.

Key learning opportunities for this job

In this role, you will gain deep exposure to the intersection of industrial manufacturing and circular economy principles. Given Shaw's position in the built environment, you will learn how large-scale sustainability initiatives are implemented across diverse product portfolios and global supply chains. Additionally, you will develop expertise in strategic market intelligence, learning how to anticipate regulatory shifts and translate them into competitive business advantages. Exposure to Berkshire Hathaway’s corporate ecosystem also provides a unique lens into high-level business strategy and financial materiality in ESG.

How does the ideal candidate look like (experience, skills)?

The ideal candidate brings over 10 years of experience in sustainability strategy, consulting, or customer engagement. You should possess a rare blend of technical fluency in ESG topics and the high-level communication skills required to influence C-suite executives and external partners. A background in the built environment or manufacturing is highly preferred. Beyond technical skills, the role demands someone with high integrity and the ability to influence through collaboration and credibility rather than formal authority.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, your application should demonstrate tangible examples of market transformation—instances where you didn't just report on ESG, but used it to win business or shift industry standards. Highlight your experience in the 'Built Environment' specifically, as this industry context is vital. Tailor your cover letter to reflect Shaw’s people-centered and growth-minded approach. Showing that you understand the tension between industrial manufacturing and environmental goals, and how to navigate that tension with optimism and data-backed strategy, will make your profile highly compelling.

What aspects of the company's sustainability is this role likely to focus on?

The role focuses heavily on the market-facing side of ESG, including stakeholder engagement and external advocacy. You will likely work on initiatives related to product transparency, healthy materials, and decarbonization within the flooring industry. It is less about the granular data collection and more about the strategic application of that data. You will focus on how the company’s environmental progress supports customer goals, such as LEED certification or corporate net-zero commitments.

What are the main challenges someone in this role might face?

One significant challenge will be bridging the gap between highly technical environmental metrics and the commercial needs of the sales and marketing teams. You must ensure that the sustainability narrative remains technically sound while being accessible enough to drive sales. Another challenge lies in navigating the regulatory landscape and competitive activity. You will need to stay ahead of shifting consumer expectations and diverse global standards to ensure the company remains a leader in a rapidly evolving sector.

How could a typical day look like for someone in this position?

A typical day might involve mentoring brand leaders on how to communicate new sustainability certifications to their specific market segments. You might spend the afternoon in a strategic session with the VP of Global Sustainability, discussing how emerging trends should influence the long-term enterprise roadmap. Interspersed with these internal meetings are external engagements, such as speaking at an industry conference or meeting with the sustainability leads of a major architectural firm to discuss collaborative projects or circularity initiatives.

What are the opportunities for professional growth and development in this role?

Given the seniority of this role, growth is found in high-level enterprise influence and the potential to shape the sustainability trajectory of a multi-billion dollar corporation. Successful performance could lead to broader global leadership roles within the Berkshire Hathaway network. Furthermore, by building a massive network of external industry leaders and NGOs, you will establish yourself as a primary thought leader in the sustainable manufacturing space, opening doors for board-level or industry-wide leadership positions.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

Internal stakeholders include the VP of Global Sustainability, business unit leaders, sales and marketing teams, and corporate communications. You will act as a strategic partner to these departments to align the sustainability story with business goals. External stakeholders are diverse, ranging from architects and designers (A&D) to strategic business partners, certification bodies, and media outlets. You will also engage with NGOs and academic institutions to maintain the company’s leadership position.

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