Sustainability Lead

About the Role

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Sustainability Lead to drive our client's sustainability and social value strategy. This role is integral to embedding sustainable practices across our client, ensuring environmental, social, and economic considerations are at the heart of our operations. The ideal candidate will be a passionate advocate for sustainability, capable of fostering meaningful relationships with stakeholders, supply chain partners, and the wider community.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a robust sustainability and social value strategy, integrating it across all our client's activities.
• Act as a champion for sustainability, representing our client at external events and fostering a culture of environmental responsibility within the business.
• Manage and oversee the Social Value budget, including allocated funds for internal networks such as the Women’s Network.
• Build and maintain partnerships with schools, colleges, social care providers, and charities to create employment pathways for underrepresented groups.
• Lead the implementation of the Work Experience Programme to promote inclusive employment opportunities.
• Provide quarterly executive updates on social value impact and oversee the production of the annual Social Impact Report.
• Support colleagues and supply chain partners in reducing carbon emissions and maximising social value contributions.
• Advise on social, economic, and environmental strategies to enhance business performance in tenders, projects, and organisational change initiatives.
• Collaborate with the bid team to meet sustainability and social value tender requirements.
• Ensure sustainability and social value principles are embedded in contracts and project delivery.
• Mentor early-career professionals to develop their understanding of sustainability and social impact.
• Work with marketing and communications teams to share success stories and case studies via our client's social media channels.
• Promote best practices in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG), ensuring effective monitoring and reporting across the business.
• Develop ESG tools, resources, and engagement programmes to embed best practices.
• Stay up to date with ESG regulatory developments and recommend improvements to enhance our client's sustainability framework.
• Lead and contribute to research on sustainable development, social value, and inclusive growth.

Who We Are Looking For

Essential Skills & Experience:

• Significant experience working with senior managers and stakeholders to develop and implement organisational strategies and policies.
• Strong planning, monitoring, and review skills with the ability to recommend and implement improvements.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to build relationships at all levels.
• Strong decision-making abilities, resilience under pressure, and excellent time management.
• Experience in measuring, capturing, and reporting sustainability and social impact.
• Knowledge of environmental management and monitoring.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• A strategic thinker with strong presentation skills.

Desirable Skills & Experience:

• Advanced knowledge of social value investment models, measurement, and innovation.
• Experience in commissioning services and contract management.
• Social Return on Investment (SROI) practitioner certification.
• Programme or project management qualification.

If you are a proactive leader with a passion for sustainability and social impact, we would love to hear from you. Join our client and help shape a more sustainable future for our business and community.