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 employee discounts, flexible benefits, and 25 days of annual leave.
- Other info: Opportunity for personal growth and development in a fast-paced environment.
- 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.
Company Description
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. Everyone needs some help showing up as their best self. We're Disability Confident Committed - let our Talent team know if you need any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.
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.
- Strategy & Governance
- 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.
- Supply Chain & Due Diligence
- 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.
- Manage department budget.
- 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
- 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 discount (hello ASOS discount!)
- 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) in London 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 offers extensive benefits, including a generous employee discount, flexible working options, and opportunities for professional development. Join us in leading the charge towards sustainable fashion in a dynamic environment that champions innovation and accountability.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Sustainability (12 month FTC) in London
✨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 the competition.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by diving deep into ASOS’s sustainability initiatives. Show us you’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable about our goals and how you can contribute to them.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, drop a quick thank-you note. It shows your enthusiasm and keeps you fresh in our minds.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the ASOS family.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Sustainability (12 month FTC) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in sustainability and ESG. We want to see how your skills align with our mission at ASOS, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Show Your Passion:Let your enthusiasm for sustainability shine through in your application. We love candidates who are genuinely passionate about making a difference in the fashion industry, so share your thoughts on current trends and challenges in sustainability.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to explain your experience and how it relates to the role. We appreciate well-structured applications that make it easy for us to see your potential!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our official website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about ASOS and our values.
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, especially those relevant to the fashion industry. Be ready to discuss how these regulations impact ASOS and how you can help navigate them.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a senior role, they’ll want to see your leadership style in action. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams, influenced stakeholders, and driven change in previous roles. Highlight your experience in managing sustainability initiatives.
✨Be Data-Driven
Since this role involves setting KPIs and tracking progress, come prepared with examples of how you've used data to inform decisions in sustainability projects. Discuss any tools or frameworks you've implemented to measure success.
✨Engage with Their Values
ASOS prides itself on creativity and authenticity. Show that you resonate with their mission by discussing how you’ve fostered a culture of empowerment and transparency in your past roles. This will demonstrate that you’re not just a fit for the role, but for the company culture too.
