Join Us

IOAS is seeking a Business Development Manager to join our team

We will only consider candidates who fulfil ALL the following requirements:

• Organic and/or sustainability conformity assessment scheme/standards experience;
• Proven sales experience and success;
• Full CV and tailored motivational letter sent via email as detailed below.

The IOAS is a leading, mission driven, non-profit organization incorporated in North Dakota, USA with staff around the globe.  We work in the field of accreditation and assessment of bodies engaged in inspection and certification of organic and sustainable agriculture and related fields. In 2022, we celebrated 25 years of ‘Cultivating integrity and trust across the organic community’.

The accreditation and assessment services we provide cover organic agriculture, sustainable agriculture, organic textiles, organic and natural cosmetics, recycled products, animal welfare claims, fair trade, social compliance, sustainability and food safety. IOAS clients are based all over the world.

The day-to-day work of the IOAS is performed by a team of core staff working remotely across the globe with support from a number of contracted assessors and technical experts. For more information about our work, please visit www.ioas.org.

As the Business Development Manager, you will be responsible for identifying new business opportunities and driving growth in alignment with IOAS’s mission and values. You will work closely with leadership to design and execute strategies that expand our impact in the organic and sustainability sectors.

Terms

1. This is a full-time position, working 40 hours per week.
2. You will work from your own home office, during your home country working hours. Location is flexible.
3. IOAS will pay for internet and basic office costs.
4. The renumeration for this position will be market-related and based on experience.
5. Some travel may be required in support of business development.
6. An initial one-year contract will be provided.

Key Responsibities 

• Develop and implement targeted business development strategies to grow IOAS’s presence in the global sustainability accreditation market.
• Research and evaluate emerging conformity assessment trends, schemes, regulatory frameworks, and sustainability standards to inform strategic direction, service development and market positioning.
• Identify growth opportunities in emerging markets, eco-label schemes, and sustainability sectors.
• Manage a sales pipeline and drive revenue for IOAS.
• Lead proposal writing, bids, and contractual negotiations.
• Monitor and analyze regulatory trends at international, regional, and national levels that impact accreditation and conformity assessment activities within the organic and sustainability accreditation field.
• Monitor client feedback and competitor activity to inform strategic planning and continuous improvement.
• Build and foster strategic relationships with scheme owners, regulators, certification bodies, and other stakeholders in the sustainability assurance ecosystem.
• Collaborate with internal teams to deliver client and market-focused solutions.
• Identify and pursue opportunities with certification bodies seeking accreditation in organic, sustainability, and related sectors.
• Represent IOAS at conferences, trade shows, webinars, and industry events.
• Provide regular reports and forecasts on pipeline activity, KPIs, and strategic initiatives to senior leadership.

Requirements

• Enthusiasm for the mission of IOAS.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Business, International Relations, Environmental Studies, Agriculture, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in sales within certification, accreditation, sustainability, and/or agricultural sectors.
• Proven track record of building strategic partnerships, closing deals and delivering on sales targets.
• Strong understanding of organic and/or sustainability standards, certification and /or accreditation systems (e.g. IFOAM, ISO, etc.).
• Knowledge of EU environmental policy and emerging claims is an advantage.
• Market research experience.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Self-motivated, results-driven, and able to work independently in a remote setting.
• Proficiency in English required; additional languages are a plus.
• Willingness to travel internationally as needed.
• Knowledge of sustainability and/or agriculture schemes and global standards.
• Experience working in a diverse, global team.

Why Work with IOAS?

• Be part of a mission-driven organization with global impact.
• Work remotely with flexible hours and a collaborative international team.
• Help shape the future of sustainable accreditation and market integrity.
• Competitive salary based on experience and location.

Applicants must be able to work remotely on their own as well as part of a multi-cultural team, show good attention to detail and maintain the highest level of integrity. Ideal starting date: early 2026.

Application

Please submit a tailored letter of motivation, Curriculum Vitae, References, and copies of applicable certifications/qualifications to recruitment@ioas.org with subject line ‘Business Development Manager Attn: Executive Director

Closing date is 25 November 2025

This is an ideal opportunity to:

• Contribute to the promotion of integrity and fairness.
• Gain valuable experience in evaluating decision-making processes.
• Work alongside passionate professionals dedicated to making a difference.

At IOAS, we believe in upholding integrity and ensuring that decisions regarding conformity align with our ethical principles. We are currently seeking motivated individuals to join as members of our Accreditation Committee. Created to distance the task of making the final decisions on accreditation from the everyday technical assessment aspects of IOAS, the Accreditation Committee is appointed to ensure a balance of interests, representation, and geography, as well as a wealth of expertise in conformity assessment. Your role will be crucial in evaluating and providing feedback on conformity decisions made by various entities.

This is a volunteer position requiring you to perform Accreditation Decisions via an online platform, participate in teleconferences pertaining to adverse actions and/or appeals when requested, and attend an annual in-person meeting, which may be held anywhere in the world. IOAS will reimburse all travel and accommodation expenses for in-person meetings, and details of the honorarium are explained in our detailed specifications.

IOAS works with an increasing number of scheme owners (COSMOS, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, European Commission, GlobalG.A.P., GOTS, IFOAM, NATRUE, Textile Exchange). The accreditation and assessment services we provide cover organic agriculture, sustainable agriculture, organic textiles, organic and natural cosmetics, recycled products, animal welfare claims, fair trade, social compliance, and food safety. IOAS clients are based all over the world.

IOAS’s day-to-day work is performed by a team of core staff, supported by contracted assessors and technical experts. For more information about our work, please visit www.ioas.org.

Requirements:

All candidates must meet the following minimum qualification requirements:

1. Good knowledge of the English language.
2. Standing and authority in their field, which is deemed relevant to the position.
3. High degree of personal integrity, including ability to maintain confidentiality and show due concern for conflict of interest.
4. Evidence of supporting the aims and objectives of organic agriculture and/or IFOAM’s mission.
5. Ability to attend, prepare for and actively participate in meetings.
6. A considerable degree of experience and expertise is required of those chosen as representatives of the fields of inspection or certification.

The Committee shall be constituted with a range of interests, with no single interest predominating. The five sectors of interests are defined as:

1. Conformity assessment (certification & inspection).
2. Operators.
3. Beneficiaries (consumers, environment, retail, trade, movement).
4. Developing world.
5. And regulatory.

 Additionally, prospective members must have extensive experience in accreditation, certification and/or inspection in the organic textiles and/or cosmetics industries. Those who are qualified as an assessor or inspector, or decision-maker in the respective field are suitable candidates. Individuals who work at the operator level – i.e., in industry – and academic professionals in these areas of expertise may have appropriate qualifications.  Persons who work in standards development, scheme owners, or related bodies are also invited to apply.

Evidence of qualification must be provided, and members are subject to the allocation of competencies based on their expertise. IOAS may provide some training to increase competence in specific areas.

Terms:

The Accreditation Committee is a volunteer position appointed by the IOAS Board, requiring you to perform Accreditation Decisions via an online platform, participate in teleconferences pertaining to adverse actions and/or appeals, and an annual meeting, which may be held anywhere in the world, or remotely if necessary. If attending in person, all travel and accommodation expenses will be reimbursed by IOAS.

Members of the IOAS Accreditation Committee (AC) are eligible for a $75 honorarium for each CB accreditation decision they render, either in person or virtually, including routine decisions on (re)accreditation or continuation of accreditation (in cases of Annual Surveillance) as well as decisions on imposing or lifting sanctions.  AC members are also eligible for a $250 honorarium for each AC meeting that they attend (typically convened annually for the purpose of ongoing training, discussing common issues, etc.) and $50 for each joint Board/AC meeting that they attend, either in person or virtually.

Application:

Nominations shall be accompanied by the following:

• A nomination from any organization or individual
• A full curriculum vitae (résumé).
• A statement of interest in seeking this appointment.
• Applicants must indicate which of the interest sectors they are affiliated with (a primary and secondary sector are permitted if appropriate).
• Appropriate certifications, diplomas, or other evidence of qualification.

Applicants must indicate which of these interesting sectors named above they are affiliated with (a primary and secondary sector are permitted if appropriate).

Please submit to recruitment@ioas.org with the subject line ‘2305 AC Member nominations, Attn: Lauren Carlyle’

Closing date: Applications are accepted until further notice.

The IOAS board is constituted in a manner that safeguards impartiality and enables the participation of all parties from various sectors significantly concerned in the development and principles regarding the content and functioning of the accreditation system.

Potential Board members should have a background from one of the following sectors: conformity assessment (certification & inspection), operators, beneficiaries (consumers, environment, retail, trade, movement), the developing world, or regulatory.

We are particularly keen to receive applications from those within the Operator categories and those with business expertise.

Elections to the Board shall be for three-year terms with the possibility of being re-appointed.

Candidates shall demonstrate the following requirements:

1. Good knowledge of the English language.
2. Standing and authority in their field.
3. A high degree of personal integrity, including the ability to maintain confidentiality and show due concern for conflict of interest.
4. Evidence of supporting the aims and objectives of organic agriculture and/or IFOAM’s mission
5. Ability to attend, prepare for and actively participate in meetings
6. A considerable degree of experience and expertise is required of those chosen as representatives of the fields of inspection or certification.

Applications:

Candidates must apply via email to recruitment@ioas.org with the following:

1. A nomination from any organisation or individual.
2. A full curriculum vitae (resumé)
3. A statement of their interest in seeking the appointment.

Closing date:

Applications accepted until further notice.