Senior Research Manager – The Circulate Initiative (Remote, Part-Time)

Organisation: The Circulate Initiative
Position: Senior Research Manager
Job Type: Part-time, fixed-term contract
Contract Duration: One year, with the possibility of renewal
Work Arrangement: Remote
Application Deadline: November 1, 2026
Application Status: Applications are currently open, subject to confirmation by the organisation.

About The Circulate Initiative

The Circulate Initiative works on research and initiatives related to plastics circularity, waste management, and sustainable finance. Its work focuses on generating insights that can help stakeholders address plastic pollution and advance solutions for a more circular economy.

The organisation is seeking an experienced Senior Research Manager to lead the delivery of its growing research portfolio. This position is suited to a professional with a strong background in research management, sustainable finance, circular economy initiatives, or international development.

The successful candidate will oversee complex research projects, manage multidisciplinary teams, coordinate external consultants, and maintain productive relationships with clients, funders, and other stakeholders. The role combines technical research expertise with project delivery, people management, and stakeholder engagement.

Key Responsibilities

The Senior Research Manager will oversee research projects from initial planning through final publication. The main responsibilities include the following.

1. Research Project Management

• Manage the full lifecycle of multiple research projects, ensuring that activities are completed according to agreed timelines, budgets, and quality standards.
• Coordinate internal teams, external consultants, and other contributors involved in research delivery.
• Ensure that research outputs align with the organisation’s strategic priorities and meet professional standards.
• Monitor project progress, identify potential challenges, and take appropriate action to keep projects on track.

2. Client, Donor, and Partner Relations

• Serve as the primary operational contact for clients and funders throughout project implementation.
• Maintain professional relationships with institutional partners, donors, and other stakeholders.
• Communicate project progress, manage expectations, and address changes to project scope, timelines, or deliverables.
• Identify and resolve project risks or implementation challenges proactively.

3. Stakeholder Engagement and Facilitation

• Plan and facilitate meetings, workshops, roundtables, and other stakeholder engagements.
• Deliver presentations and progress updates to clients, funders, and project partners.
• Lead discussions involving stakeholders from the public sector, finance, industry, and related fields.
• Help partners reach a shared understanding of research findings, project objectives, and potential solutions.

4. Research Publications and Quality Assurance

• Lead the preparation, review, and finalisation of research reports, presentations, policy briefings, and other communications materials.
• Review technical content for accuracy, clarity, consistency, and quality.
• Ensure that research findings are communicated effectively to relevant audiences.
• Maintain high editorial and professional standards across all research deliverables.

Required Qualifications and Experience

Applicants should demonstrate substantial experience managing complex research, advisory, or consulting projects involving multiple stakeholders.

The organisation identifies the following key requirements:

• Professional experience: At least seven years of experience leading complex, multi-stakeholder research or advisory projects in areas such as sustainable finance, circular economy, waste management, or international development.
• Client and donor management: Demonstrated experience serving as the primary client-facing lead, managing expectations, addressing changes in project scope, and maintaining institutional relationships.
• Technical knowledge: A strong understanding of the plastics value chain, waste management systems, and financial mechanisms that support circular economy initiatives in emerging markets.
• Sustainable finance expertise: Familiarity with approaches such as blended finance, de-risking mechanisms, and policy measures designed to accelerate circularity.
• Research and writing skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to review, edit, and finalise complex technical reports and executive presentations.
• Facilitation and presentation: Experience leading workshops, steering committee meetings, stakeholder roundtables, and professional presentations.
• Project leadership: The ability to coordinate multidisciplinary teams, manage competing priorities, and deliver high-quality outputs within agreed budgets and deadlines.

Applicants should be prepared to demonstrate how their previous experience relates to the responsibilities of this position.

Educational Requirements

A master’s degree or equivalent experience in a relevant discipline is required. Relevant fields may include:

• Finance
• Industrial Ecology
• Environmental Economics
• Environmental Science
• Other related disciplines

Candidates whose professional experience provides equivalent preparation for the role may also be considered.

Location and Work Eligibility

This is a remote position. The Circulate Initiative expresses a preference for candidates based in the following locations:

• Australia
• European Union countries
• India
• Indonesia
• Malaysia
• Singapore
• The Philippines
• United Kingdom
• United States

Candidates must be legally authorised to work in their respective countries. Although preference is given to applicants based in the listed locations, candidates in other Asian countries who meet the work-authorisation requirement are also encouraged to apply.

Important for international applicants: The position is not advertised as universally open to candidates in every country. Applicants should review the official application form and confirm their eligibility before applying. The organisation’s stated location preferences and work-authorisation requirements should be taken into account.

Contract Duration and Employment Arrangement

The successful candidate will be offered a one-year, part-time contract, with the possibility of renewal.

The original vacancy announcement does not specify the salary, weekly working hours, benefits, or exact contract start date. Applicants who require these details should seek clarification from the organisation during the recruitment process.

How to Apply

Interested and qualified candidates should complete the official application form and submit their résumé and cover letter as requested.

Application form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1HWfGEkzc4mzv_3GnmPwcXvPhsrHcD7TXfGOku–GfjM/edit

Application Deadline

November 1, 2026

Applicants are encouraged to apply early because interviews may be conducted on a rolling basis. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Before submitting an application, ensure that your résumé clearly demonstrates your relevant research leadership, project management, sustainable finance or circular economy experience, and stakeholder engagement skills.

Is This Opportunity Right for You?

This position may be particularly relevant to professionals who have led research or advisory projects and can combine technical knowledge with practical project delivery.

It may be a good fit if you have experience in:

• Managing research projects from planning to publication.
• Working with international clients, institutional donors, or external consultants.
• Understanding plastics recycling, waste management, or circular economy systems.
• Applying sustainable finance mechanisms to environmental or development challenges.
• Leading professional meetings, workshops, and stakeholder consultations.
• Reviewing technical research and turning complex findings into clear reports and presentations.

Candidates should carefully assess the seven-year experience requirement, technical expertise, and geographic eligibility conditions before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the application deadline?

The stated deadline is November 1, 2026. The organisation encourages early applications because interviews may take place on a rolling basis.

2. Is the Senior Research Manager position remote?

Yes. The role is advertised as remote, with a preference for candidates in specified countries and additional consideration for eligible applicants in other Asian countries.

3. Is this a full-time or part-time position?

The vacancy is for a part-time, one-year contract, with an option for renewal.

4. How much professional experience is required?

Applicants should have at least seven years of experience leading complex, multi-stakeholder research or advisory projects in a relevant field.

5. What educational qualifications are required?

A master’s degree or equivalent experience in a relevant discipline, such as finance, industrial ecology, environmental economics, or environmental science.

6. Is a salary provided in the announcement?

No salary figure is provided in the supplied vacancy information. Applicants should contact the organisation or consult the official application materials for clarification.

7. How do I apply?

Complete the official application form and submit your résumé and cover letter through the link provided in the application section.

Final Application Reminder

The Senior Research Manager opportunity offers experienced professionals the chance to lead research projects addressing plastics circularity, sustainable finance, and waste management. Applicants should ensure that they meet the experience, technical, and work-authorisation requirements before submitting their applications.

Apply before November 1, 2026:
Complete the official application form

Content note: This vacancy summary is based on the information provided in the original announcement. The organisation’s official application materials should be treated as the authoritative source for eligibility, contract terms, and recruitment updates.