Application Guide
How to Apply for Senior Director, Standards and Market Access
at Sustainable Forestry Initiative
🏢 About Sustainable Forestry Initiative
The Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) is unique as a non-profit organization that advances sustainable forest management through a comprehensive approach combining certification, education, and community engagement. Unlike purely commercial entities, SFI's mission-driven focus on creating healthier forests and communities offers professionals the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to environmental sustainability while working with diverse stakeholders across North America.
About This Role
This Senior Director role is pivotal for leading the integrity, development, and maintenance of SFI's three core standards (Forest Management, Fiber Sourcing, and Chain of Custody) while driving market access for certified organizations. You'll serve as the technical authority on SFI standards, manage auditor certification processes, and build strategic relationships with governments, Indigenous communities, industry partners, and NGOs to expand SFI's impact across the forestry sector.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve reviewing technical guidance requests from certified organizations, preparing for an SFI Auditors Forum meeting, and joining a virtual call with government representatives about aligning SFI standards with regional forestry regulations. You could spend the afternoon analyzing public comments on standard revisions and planning engagement strategies with Indigenous community partners for upcoming sustainability events.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Sustainable Forestry Initiative Is Looking For
- Has 10+ years of hands-on experience in forestry and forest certification systems, with demonstrated expertise in SFI, FSC, or PEFC standards implementation
- Possesses deep technical knowledge of sustainable forest management practices and can navigate complex certification processes and stakeholder requirements
- Is an exceptional communicator and relationship-builder who can represent SFI effectively at sustainability events and with diverse stakeholders including governments, Indigenous communities, and industry partners
- Has experience leading standard revision processes, managing public comment periods, and facilitating committee meetings in environmental certification contexts
📝 Tips for Applying to Sustainable Forestry Initiative
Quantify your experience with specific SFI standard implementations or similar certification systems - mention actual projects where you've worked with Forest Management, Fiber Sourcing, or Chain of Custody standards
Highlight any direct experience with Indigenous community engagement or government relations in forestry contexts, as this is explicitly mentioned in the job description
Demonstrate your understanding of SFI's three 2022 standards by referencing specific elements or challenges in sustainable forest management certification
Include examples of managing auditor certification processes or responding to accreditation questions, as this is a core responsibility mentioned in the role
Show how you've supported market access for certified organizations in previous roles, particularly through customer and supply-chain partner engagement
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Your direct experience with SFI standards or comparable forest certification systems, including specific projects or initiatives you've led", 'Examples of successful stakeholder engagement with the diverse groups mentioned (governments, Indigenous communities, conservation organizations, industry)', "How you've previously managed standard revision processes or responded to certification complaints and guidance requests", 'Your approach to balancing technical standard integrity with practical market access expansion for certified organizations']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → SFI's three 2022 standards (Forest Management, Fiber Sourcing, Chain of Custody) - understand their key requirements and recent updates
- → SFI's current certified organizations and market presence, particularly in relation to competitors like FSC
- → Recent SFI initiatives with Indigenous communities or government partnerships mentioned in their annual reports
- → SFI's position within broader sustainability frameworks and how it aligns with global forestry initiatives
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying with generic sustainability experience without specific forestry or forest certification expertise
- Failing to demonstrate understanding of SFI's specific standards and how they differ from other certification systems
- Overlooking the relationship-building aspect of the role and focusing only on technical standard development
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to Sustainable Forestry Initiative!