Director - Social Sustainability

The role is responsible for defining and delivering CWG’s social sustainability strategy, translating ambition into clear priorities, measurable outcomes and accountability across the organisation. It champions the delivery of place‑based and community‑driven outcomes, including a strategically valuable Employment and Education programme, to deliver material social impact while building trusted partnerships and tangible benefits for local communities, particularly in Tower Hamlets.

Main Responsibilities

• Define, own and continuously evolve the organisation’s Social Sustainability Strategy, ensuring clear alignment with overall ESG ambitions, corporate purpose and business objectives.
• Translate strategy into clear priorities, delivery plans, targets and measurable outcomes, embedding accountability across the business.
• Act as an internal authority on social sustainability, providing clear leadership, governance and decision making.
• Lead horizon scanning on social trends, regulation and best practice to keep the organisation progressive, credible and compliant, with particular focus on issues relevant to the local community of London Borough of Tower Hamlets.
• Work collaboratively across the organisation to embed social sustainability into core business activities, including development, construction, operations, supply chain, partnerships, employment, skills and placemaking.
• Establish and maintain robust frameworks for measuring, monitoring and reporting social impact and outcomes.
• Drive continuous improvement to ensure activities deliver tangible, long‑term benefits, focusing on areas where CWG can have the greatest impact through community investment, employment and education, and place‑based initiatives.
• Build and maintain strong, trusted relationships with key partners and external stakeholders, including local authorities, community organisations, industry bodies and delivery partners.
• Represent the organisation externally on social sustainability, community impact and ESG forums, enhancing CWG’s credibility and profile.
• Ensure appropriate governance, policies and controls are in place to manage social sustainability risks and opportunities.
• Contribute to ESG reporting, disclosures and assurance processes, ensuring social performance is transparent, credible and outcome‑focused.
• Oversee the development, delivery and reporting of the related S106 deliverables, including owning the local spend reporting.
• Deliver elements of public consultation of value to the development team.
• Support compliance with relevant legislation, planning obligations and voluntary standards.
• Lead, develop and inspire a high‑performing social sustainability team fostering inclusive leadership, wellbeing and facilitating individuals to reach their full potential.
• Provide strong social sustainability input into bids, tenders, planning applications and investment activity.
• Oversee events and a communications strategy that builds CWG’s public profile and demonstrates meaningful social impact.
• Own, manage and drive value from key social partnerships as appropriate.

Person Specification

• A senior leader with proven experience setting and delivering social sustainability or social value strategy within complex organisations.
• Deep understanding of place‑based social impact, employment and skills, ESG governance and reporting, with a strong track record of embedding strategy into business delivery.
• Credible, influential and values‑driven, with excellent stakeholder management skills, ability to build trusted partnerships to deliver measurable, long‑term community impact, particularly in urban contexts.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey complex social impact concepts clearly and persuasively to both technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Proven leadership capability, with experience of building, developing and inspiring high‑performing teams, fostering an inclusive and supportive culture.
• Strong influencing skills, with the credibility to engage senior leadership and drive cross‑business collaboration to embed social sustainability into core activities.
• IT literate, with confidence in using standard Microsoft Office applications.

Benefits

• Diversity and Inclusion – We recognise the importance of embracing diverse experience, skills and perspectives at all levels and operating in an inclusive working environment, supporting everyone to reach their full potential.
• Flexible Working – We consider flexible working arrangements, both temporary or permanent, to support wellbeing and productivity.
• Learning and Development – Employees receive a wide range of support to improve skills and achieve career goals, including classroom and e‑learning training, mentoring, cross‑department experience, on‑the‑job learning, professional accreditation and sponsorship opportunities.
• Other Benefits – A comprehensive range of benefits designed for employee wellbeing, including a generous pension and insurance plans, health benefits, subsidised gym membership, store discounts and family leave.