Responsible Business Executive in London

We are looking for a Responsible Business Executive to play a pivotal role in supporting the day‐to‐day operations of our Responsible Business function. This position provides essential support to ensure that projects, initiatives, and priorities are delivered effectively and align with our responsible business goals. The role reports to our Head of Responsible Business, who oversees the design, implementation and delivery of our broader approach to responsible business in addition to the objectives set within our five‐year strategy.

While it is a small and specialist team, the role will require the individual to work closely with a wide range of internal stakeholders across the firm to help advance our strategy and approach, including Risk & Compliance, Marketing & Business Development, HR, IT, Finance and Facilities functions. The team works closely with our Executive Committee and Board to ensure that there is sufficient governance, leadership and oversight at the highest levels for this important area of focus for the firm. The team is supported by our newly created Responsible Business Committee, a sub‐committee of the Board. Additionally, the team works with external stakeholders, including clients, suppliers, auditors and community partners to embed and promote the firm's approach to responsible business.

Key Responsibilities

• Working closely with our Head of Responsible Business, this role is focused on supporting various initiatives, projects and priorities across responsible business which involves:
• Coordinating the intake, scoping and allocation of pro‐bono matters across our global network.
• Supporting the firm’s sustainability reporting, including collating data for the annual responsible business report, client RFPs, ESG ratings (e.g., EcoVadis) and award submissions.
• Maintaining accurate records of pro‐bono hours, outcomes/impacts and feedback from beneficiaries to report back to the firm on progress, including drafting communications (internal and external) highlighting the impact of pro‐bono and community work.
• Providing additional support as required for NGOs, charities and community partners that may be engaged with more than one Bird & Bird office, ensuring a smooth experience for all involved.
• Helping the Head of Responsible Business ensure risk registers, ESG assessments/audits and other due diligence requirements are on track, recorded and updated when necessary.
• Assisting in tracking and maintaining supplier compliance with ESG criteria and ethical sourcing requirements – helping to identify risks and opportunities within our value chain.
• Actively engaging in various responsible business projects and initiatives that will support short‐ and long‐term priorities for the team and wider business.
• Working with our pitch team to ensure that responsible business content is up to date at all times in addition to our intranet and website pages.
• Helping to coordinate and organise events and awareness campaigns in support of our responsible business initiatives whilst utilising our communication channels such as intranet, social media, etc.

What You'll Bring

• A passion and good understanding of responsible business, ESG and sustainability topics.
• Comfortable dealing with and communicating to stakeholders at all levels across our global network.
• Confident and quick to learn different IT software in addition to strong Word, Excel and PowerPoint skills.
• Good writing and presenting skills.
• Willing to share best practice, knowledge and experience.
• Demonstrate integrity and professionalism with good problem‐solving skills.
• Ability to sometimes work alone and use own initiative, whilst adopting a pragmatic approach to work.

Benefits

We provide comprehensive support for our colleagues' health and wellbeing, including private medical cover, life assurance, critical illness cover and regular health assessments. We also offer a range of lifestyle benefits designed to help our team live their best lives, such as a cycle-to-work scheme, access to online GP appointments, discounted gym memberships and an electric vehicle scheme.

Disability and Neurodiversity Inclusion

We are a disability and neurodiversity inclusive employer. If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.