Director Sustainability Policy & Engagement

Target • Minneapolis, MN

2d • $135,000 - $243,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

Working at Target means helping all families discover the joy of everyday life. We bring that vision to life through our values and culture. Learn more about Target here . The Enterprise Sustainability team supports Target’s long-term success by integrating environmental and social considerations into enterprise strategy, decision-making, and execution. The team partners across the company to align sustainability priorities with business objectives , financial rigor, and external expectations. Bring your passion and expertise to help Target leverage its size and scale for broader good . The Director, Sustainability Policy & Stakeholder Engagement is a senior, enterprise-facing leader responsible for building Target’s sustainability foresight and stakeholder engagement capability. This role synthesizes signals across sustainability-focused investors, NGOs, policymakers, peer organizations, activists, advisory bodies, and other influential stakeholders to anticipate emerging risks and opportunities that may shape enterprise value, credibility, and long-term strategy. Operating at an enterprise level, this role translates evolving stakeholder expectations, market dynamics, and policy developments into clear strategic implications and executive-ready tradeoffs. As Target advances its next-generation sustainability strategy, this leader will mature and formalize the company’s sustainability stakeholder engagement model, strengthening governance, prioritization, and proactive positioning. In doing so, this role serves as a principal advisor to the Vice President of Enterprise Sustainability and senior enterprise leaders on sustainability-related external risk, stakeholder strategy, and positioning, informing executive and Board-level discussions. Workin g in close partnership with the Vice President and Head of Enterprise Sustainability, Investor Relations, Legal, Government Affairs, Risk & Reputation, and Communications, this role ensures Target’s sustainability strategy is externally credible, resilient, and positioned to navigate a rapidly evolving stakeholder landscape.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree (4 years) or equivalent professional experience. Advanced degree preferred.
• 12+ years of professional experience in sustainability or ESG-related policy, stakeholder engagement, investor engagement, or external-facing leadership roles, with subject-matter depth in environmental or social issues.
• Demonstrated experience engaging across sustainability-focused stakeholder groups — including investors, NGOs, policymakers, and industry coalitions — within a large, matrixed organization.
• Strong understanding of sustainability-related investor expectations, shareholder proposal dynamics, and evolving policy and regulatory landscapes, particularly as they relate to enterprise risk and strategy.
• Proven ability to assess sustainability-related external risk dynamics and translate them into strategic implications for enterprise decision-making.
• Experience advising senior executives and preparing executive- and Board-ready materials on complex sustainability-related matters.
• Strong ability to influence without formal authority across senior cross-functional stakeholders, including Investor Relations, Government Affairs, Legal, and Communications.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to operate credibly in both executive and sustainability-focused external forums.
• Strong analytical judgment and comfort operating in ambiguity and sensitive environments.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in retail, consumer goods, or similarly complex operating environments preferred.

Responsibilities

• Build and advance Target’s enterprise approach to sustainability stakeholder engagement, establishing clear prioritization based on influence, strategic relevance , and enterprise risk.
• Synthesize signals across sustainability-focused investors, NGOs, policymakers, peer organizations, and advisory bodies to anticipate emerging risks and opportunities .
• Develop and prioritize a disciplined sustainability external presence strategy, identifying forums, coalitions, and industry events where participation advances enterprise priorities and stakeholder credibility.
• Translate evolving stakeholder dynamics, investor expectations, and regulatory developments into decision-ready tradeoffs for senior leaders .
• Provide sustainability subject-matter expertise in ESG-related investor engagements and shareholder-related discussions, ensuring alignment between sustainability priorities and long-term enterprise value.
• Lead preparation for high-stakes sustainability-related engagements and stakeholder escalations.
• Assess and communicate the enterprise implications of sustainability-related policy and regulatory developments, contributing technical expertise to legislative and coalition processes as appropriate .
• Provide sustainability insight to inform corporate positioning and external communications.
• Lead and develop a high-performing team responsible for stakeholder foresight, policy analysis, investor engagement support, and partnership coordination.
• Establish structured signal synthesis and governance processes to strengthen enterprise decision-making and influence across a matrixed organization.

Benefits

• comprehensive health benefits and programs, which may include medical, vision, dental, life insurance and more
• 401(k)
• employee discount
• short term disability
• long term disability
• paid sick leave
• paid national holidays
• paid vacation

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees