At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead ASOS's sustainability strategy and ensure compliance with ESG regulations.
- Company: Join ASOS, a global fashion retailer committed to sustainability and creativity.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, private medical care, and flexible benefits.
- Other info: Be part of a culture that empowers you to be your true self.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in sustainable fashion while working with a dynamic team.
- Qualifications: Senior experience in sustainability within fashion or retail and strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 € per year.
We're ASOS, the online retailer for fashion lovers all around the world. We exist to give our customers the confidence to be whoever they want to be, and that goes for our people too. At ASOS, you're free to be your true self without judgement, and channel your creativity into a platform used by millions.
The Head of Sustainability is a senior leadership role with clear accountability for ESG legislation, environmental compliance and sustainability-related risk across ASOS’s products, supply chain and operations. This role sets and delivers ASOS’s environmental sustainability strategy while ensuring the business is prepared for current and emerging ESG regulation, including product, supply-chain and claims-related requirements. The role partners closely with Commercial, Sourcing, Product, Legal, Finance and Technology teams to translate complex regulation into practical, scalable business solutions. The Head of Sustainability is a key advisor to senior leadership and the Board, ensuring sustainability commitments are credible, compliant and defensible. Externally, the role represents ASOS with regulators, industry bodies, NGOs and key partners, positioning ASOS as a credible and progressive leader in sustainable fashion.
What You'll Be Doing
- ESG Legislation, Compliance & Risk
- Develop ASOS’s approach to environmental ESG legislation and regulatory compliance across product, emissions, circularity and materials.
- Track, interpret and operationalise emerging ESG legislation, translating regulatory change into clear business actions and timelines.
- Provide clear, decision-ready updates to senior leadership and the Board on regulatory exposure, risk and readiness.
- Ensure sustainability claims, communications and disclosures are accurate, substantiated and legally robust, reducing greenwashing and enforcement risk.
- Lead sustainability-related due diligence, risk assessment and mitigation, working closely with Legal and Compliance teams, including developing framework and controls.
- Oversee development of robust sustainability policies and implementation to reduce risk and proactively engage supply base.
- Keeping abreast of changing global ESG sustainability legislation and understanding how it affects an online fashion retailer.
- Set and evolve ASOS’s environmental sustainability strategy in line with business priorities, regulatory requirements and industry best practice.
- Lead the environmental pillars of Fashion with Integrity, ensuring strong governance, prioritisation and accountability.
- Act as programme lead for ASOS’s Net Zero and carbon reduction roadmap (Scopes 1–3).
- Establish KPIs, controls and governance frameworks to ensure compliance and measurable progress.
- Provide senior-level leadership and influence across the Management Committee, Executive team and Board Sustainability Committee, representing Sustainability within the FWI Steering Group and leading delivery of key Planet and Product targets.
- Commercial & Product
- Set the strategic direction of product and planet sustainability roadmap; using data to develop short, medium and long-term targets.
- Lead and embed the integration of sustainability and compliance requirements into product design, sourcing and buying decisions.
- Set the strategic direction of product sustainability, defining short and long-term OKRs.
- Ensuring sustainable materials, circularity and environmental initiatives meet both commercial objectives and key results and regulatory expectations.
- Lead development and delivery of internal training programmes, tools, guides and communications to help upskill commercial teams.
- Lead implementation of a robust certification process – short term ensure system is implemented, med to long term ensure integration into PLM and commercial/technical functions.
- Oversee environmental sustainability across ASOS’s global supply chain (Tier 1–5), including carbon, water and waste.
- Lead environmental due diligence for suppliers, mills and materials, ensuring alignment with legislation and internal standards.
- Drive transparency and traceability initiatives to support compliance, reporting and credible disclosures.
- Reporting, Data & Disclosure
- Own sustainability section of reporting, external disclosures and membership reporting such as alignment with annual report, frameworks such as TCFD and other regulatory-driven reporting requirements e.g. CMA.
- Ensure robust data governance, control framework, auditability and consistency across sustainability metrics.
- Lead the carbon reporting for the business including the corporate carbon footprint (CCF) and Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) and data across the business.
- Support accurate, compliant external reporting and investor-grade disclosures.
- Team leadership
- Lead, coach and develop a high-performing sustainability team with strong regulatory and technical capability.
- Build ESG and compliance understanding across the wider business through training, tools and guidance.
- Foster a culture of empowerment, accountability, transparency, commercial pragmatism and a motivating work environment.
- Stakeholder Engagement & External Leadership
- Represent ASOS with regulators, industry bodies, NGOs and strategic partners.
- Engage proactively on policy, legislation and industry standards to help shape best practice.
- Act as a credible internal and external authority on sustainability and ESG regulation.
Qualifications Who We'd Like To Meet
- Senior experience leading sustainability / ESG within fashion, retail or complex global supply chains.
- Experienced team leader with at least 3+ years in a role managing a team.
- Strong, practical understanding of ESG legislation, regulatory compliance and sustainability claims risk.
- Proven experience translating regulation into operational business change.
- Experience owning sustainability reporting, disclosures and governance.
- Excellent senior stakeholder and Board-level influencing skills.
- Thrives in a fast paced, agile environment.
- Experience leading Net Zero or science-based targets.
- Background in commercial, product sustainability, sourcing or supply-chain transformation.
Additional Information
- Employee sample sales.
- 25 days paid annual leave + an extra celebration day for a special moment.
- Discretionary bonus scheme.
- Private medical care scheme.
- Flexible benefits allowance - which you can choose to take as extra cash, or use towards other benefits.
- Opportunity for personalised learning and in-the-moment experiences that enable you to thrive and excel in your role.
Head of Sustainability (12 month FTC) employer: ASOS
At ASOS, we pride ourselves on being an inclusive and empowering workplace where creativity thrives. As the Head of Sustainability, you'll play a pivotal role in shaping our environmental strategy while enjoying a supportive culture that values personal growth and development. With benefits like flexible working options, private medical care, and opportunities for continuous learning, ASOS is committed to ensuring you can be your best self both professionally and personally.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Sustainability (12 month FTC)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the sustainability field, especially those at ASOS. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that might just set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by knowing your stuff! Dive deep into ASOS’s sustainability initiatives and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals. Show them you’re not just a fit, but the perfect fit!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to showcase your passion for sustainability! Share examples of how you've made an impact in previous roles. This is your chance to shine and show ASOS that you live and breathe sustainability.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the ASOS team and making a difference in the fashion industry.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Sustainability (12 month FTC)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Yourself:At ASOS, we want to see the real you! Don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through in your application. Share your unique experiences and how they relate to sustainability – it’s all about showing us who you are.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Head of Sustainability role. Highlight your relevant experience with ESG legislation and sustainability strategies, and show us how you can contribute to our mission at ASOS.
Show Your Passion:We love candidates who are genuinely passionate about sustainability. Use your application to express why this role excites you and how you envision making a difference in the fashion industry. Let your enthusiasm come through!
Apply Through Our Website:For the best chance of success, make sure to apply directly through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at ASOS
✨Know Your ESG Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest ESG legislation and sustainability trends relevant to the fashion industry. Be ready to discuss how these regulations impact ASOS specifically, and think about practical examples of how you've navigated similar challenges in your past roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a senior role, they’ll want to see your leadership style in action. Prepare to share examples of how you've successfully led teams, developed talent, and fostered a culture of accountability and empowerment. Highlight any training programmes you've implemented that align with sustainability goals.
✨Be Data-Driven
Since this role involves setting KPIs and tracking sustainability metrics, come prepared with examples of how you've used data to drive decisions in previous positions. Discuss how you’ve ensured data governance and accuracy in reporting, especially in relation to carbon footprints or compliance metrics.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
They'll be looking for someone who can effectively engage with various stakeholders. Think about times when you've represented your organisation externally, whether with regulators or industry bodies. Be ready to discuss how you’ve influenced policy or shaped best practices in sustainability.
