Site Environmental & Sustainability Manager in Ipswich

We are looking for an experienced and proactive Site Environment and Sustainability Manager to join our team in Ipswich. This is a key site-based role responsible for ensuring environmental compliance across construction and operational activities, protecting the environment, and driving best practice standards throughout the project lifecycle. Working closely with site management, operational teams, contractors, and regulatory authorities, you will provide expert environmental guidance, ensure compliance with environmental legislation and permit requirements, and support the successful delivery of construction and infrastructure projects in an environmentally responsible manner. This is an excellent opportunity for an environmental professional who enjoys being visible on site, influencing behaviours, and making a tangible impact on project performance and environmental compliance.

Responsibilities

• Lead environmental compliance activities across site operations and construction projects.
• Develop, implement, and maintain environmental management systems in line with ISO 14001 and company requirements.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant UK environmental legislation, permits, licences, and regulatory obligations.
• Provide environmental support and advice to project teams, site management, and contractors throughout all phases of construction and operational activities.
• Conduct site inspections, environmental audits, and compliance assessments, identifying risks and implementing corrective actions where required.
• Monitor environmental performance and compliance against project requirements, legal obligations, and company standards.
• Manage environmental aspects associated with construction activities, including waste management, pollution prevention, water management, noise, dust, ecology, and contaminated land.
• Support environmental permitting processes and ensure permit conditions are fully understood and adhered to on site.
• Investigate environmental incidents, near misses, and non-conformances, identifying root causes and implementing effective corrective actions.
• Develop and deliver environmental training, toolbox talks, and awareness initiatives to promote a strong environmental culture across the workforce.
• Liaise with regulators, clients, contractors, and other external stakeholders on environmental matters.
• Maintain accurate environmental records, reports, inspections, and compliance documentation.
• Support environmental planning during project development and contribute to environmental risk assessments and method statements.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance environmental performance and minimise environmental impact across site operations.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in an Environmental Manager, Environmental Advisor, Environmental Compliance Manager, or similar role within construction, civil engineering, infrastructure, utilities, manufacturing, or other operational environments.
• Strong knowledge of UK environmental legislation, permitting requirements and regulatory frameworks.
• Experience implementing and maintaining environmental management systems, ideally ISO 14001.
• Demonstrable experience carrying out environmental audits, inspections and compliance monitoring.
• Strong understanding of environmental risks associated with construction and site-based activities.
• Experience managing waste, pollution prevention, environmental incidents and compliance programmes.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to engage effectively with operational teams and contractors.
• Ability to influence positive environmental behaviours across diverse workforces.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced site environment.
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to spend significant time on site.
• Degree or equivalent qualification in Environmental Management, Environmental Science, Ecology, Geography or a related discipline.
• Professional membership with IEMA or a similar recognised environmental body.
• Lead Auditor or Internal Auditor qualification.
• Experience working on major construction, infrastructure, industrial or utilities projects.
• Knowledge of environmental permitting, contaminated land management, ecology and water management.
• Experience engaging with environmental regulators and enforcement agencies.
• NEBOSH Environmental Management Certificate or equivalent.

Benefits

• Pension scheme (8% company contribution / 4% personal contribution)
• 25 days' paid annual leave + bank holidays + option to buy or sell days
• Professional fees reimbursed
• Flexible working
• Employee referral scheme

Today, Assystem is among the top three independent nuclear engineering firms worldwide. With over 60 years of experience in highly regulated sectors, the group supports public and industrial stakeholders in the execution of complex and strategic infrastructure projects, subject to high safety and security requirements. Assystem mobilises 8,000 experts in 13 countries and intervenes across the entire project lifecycle, in engineering, project management and digital solutions. This is a senior leadership role on a nationally significant infrastructure project. Real accountability and influence over environmental and sustainability performance at scale. Opportunity to lead teams and shape environmental culture across a complex construction programme. Exposure to one of the UK's most challenging and high‑profile delivery environments.