Program Director - 30 Cities Program

Program Director - 30 Cities Program

The Ocean Cleanup

Rotterdam, Netherlands

THE ASSIGNMENT

The Program Director (PD) is responsible for stewarding the success of the 30 Cities Program. You will guide the program to deliver its goals, nurture collaboration across teams, and ensure resources are used wisely. When challenges arise, you will help the organization learn, adapt, and recover with resilience - especially in the areas where teams and partners intersect.

You will maintain a holistic view of the river deployment process, distill key insights, and share updates through dashboards and conversations with the Management Team and Supervisory Board. You will also shape tools and processes that strengthen both current performance and long-term organizational capacity.

The PD is a key role within The Ocean Cleanup, reporting directly to the CEO.

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• While possessing a degree or higher-level qualification is advantageous, our primary focus is on individuals with strong intellectual capacity and quick thinking;
• Highly experienced in Project & Program Management (incl. risk management, budgeting, and scheduling);
• Project Management qualifications may be a plus but demonstrable success in project/program management is more important;
• Demonstrated ability to balance delivery with learning, reflection, and adaptation;
• Significant experience in leading large-scale, complex programs across multiple countries, ideally in technical or mission-driven environments (e.g. offshore, infrastructure, manufacturing);
• Familiarity with project management and dashboard tools (e.g., MS Project, Primavera, Power BI) as enablers of clarity and alignment, rather than ends in themselves;
• Experience navigating external dependencies (regulatory, commercial, partners, suppliers) with an emphasis on building trust-based relationships;
• Experience with overseeing technical development, innovation, and/or compliance with environmental/quality standards is a plus.

PERSONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Tenacious and creative problem-solver;
• Structured; being process-minded without being bureaucratic;
• Skilled in negotiation and conflict resolution;
• Change management experience, especially in scaling organizations;
• Excellent communication skills;
• Ability to manage stress and maintain focus/set priorities under pressure.