Strategy Associate (Contract)

About Global Impact Collective
Global Impact Collective is a woman-owned strategy consultancy transforming food systems for a sustainable future. We partner with forward-thinking companies and organizations at the intersection of business strategy, sustainability, and systems change, taking a human-centered approach to create measurable impact.

We believe food systems are built with people: farmers, fishers, warehouse workers, drivers, chefs, and consumers. That's why our work spans the entire food value chain — from field and sea through distribution and manufacturing to consumption and waste reduction — while addressing the economic, political, and social systems that shape how we grow, move, and consume food.
## The Opportunity
We're seeking a Strategy Associate to join us as we grow our food systems and sustainability portfolio. This is an opportunity for an early-career professional who wants to build strong consulting skills while contributing directly to meaningful client work.

You'll work alongside senior consultants and project leads to research complex questions, analyze and synthesize information, develop client-ready deliverables, support workshops and stakeholder engagement, and help keep projects moving from idea through delivery. You'll have meaningful responsibility from the start, with coaching and mentorship as you build your skills and take on increasing responsibility.
## What You'll Do

- Support project execution: Help coordinate and deliver complex, multi-stakeholder client projects, including the creation of high-quality client-facing deliverables
- Manage project logistics: Maintain project plans, timelines, budgets, and documentation to keep projects on track
- Support meetings and workshops: Prepare agendas, notes, and follow-up action items
- Support client communications: Assist with client communications and status updates
- Conduct rigorous research: Lead primary and secondary research including literature reviews, market and landscape scans, stakeholder interviews, and data gathering
- Synthesize findings: Analyze data and turn it into clear insights and recommendations for client
- Track finances: Support budget tracking, invoicing, and expense reconciliation

## Who You Are
Essential Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree: In business, sustainable business, food science, environmental studies, or a related field
- 2-4 years of experience: Background in consulting, research, sustainability, food systems, strategy, social impact, or another environment requiring strong research, analysis, and project execution skills.
- Sector interest: Genuine interest in, and ideally coursework or experience related to, food systems, sustainability, and/or social impact
- Research skills: Comfort with both qualitative and quantitative research methods
- Analytical thinker: Able to move beyond gathering information to identify what matters, recognize patterns, and draw well-supported conclusions
- Organized and detail-oriented: Able to manage multiple concurrent projects and deadlines
- Clear written and verbal communicator: Skilled at distilling thoughts into clear, professional communications (e.g., client-ready PPT decks and other written deliverables)
- Technology fluency: proficiency with Microsoft Office, Miro, Claude and other AI platforms, and willingness to learn new tools Experience with project management platforms a plus
Personal Attributes:
- Curious: asks good questions and digs for the “why” behind the work
- Adaptable: comfortable with ambiguity in a small, fast-moving team
- Client-service mindset: takes ownership and follows through
- High standards: Cares about the details and quality of work you produce

- Team player: collaborative and willing to pitch in. You take ownership of your work while recognizing that in a small consultancy, everyone sometimes steps outside their immediate role.
- Flexible: Willing to travel as needed for client engagements and to Seattle (if remote) for quarterly meetings
- Kind, grounded, and self-aware: Cares about doing great work and helping GIC succeed, but keeps work in perspective. Brings kindness, humor, and generosity to the team, and assumes positive intent, Shares perspective candidly, disagrees constructively, and understands that good collaboration includes respecting roles, accountability, and final decision-making authority
Preferred:
- Exposure to human-centered design, design thinking, strategy, or facilitation work
- Familiarity with budgets, contracts, or invoicing processes

Why Join Us Now

- Ground-floor impact: Get in early with a growing, mission-driven consultancy
- Real mentorship: Work directly with senior consultants and leadership from day one
- Meaningful work: Contribute to projects with global brands, nonprofits, and foundations shaping the future of food systems
- Values-aligned culture: Join a small, majority-women team that shares your commitment to sustainability and systems change

Compensation   $33/hour to 38/hour

Benefits:  Seattle Paid Sick Leave

To Apply Please submit your resume along with a brief cover letter describing:
- A research or project experience you're proud of, and why
- Why you're drawn to this opportunity at this stage
- How your background aligns with our focus on food systems and sustainability

Global Impact Collective is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse team. We encourage applications from all qualified candidates regardless of race, gender, age, religion, identity, or experience level.