At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead sustainability governance and policy readiness to tackle global challenges.
- Company: Join Jacobs, a leader in creating sustainable solutions for a better world.
- Benefits: Flexible working options, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on innovation and transformation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on sustainability while shaping corporate strategies.
- Qualifications: Senior experience in sustainability strategy and strong stakeholder engagement skills.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission‑critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting‑edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.
Your impact: At Jacobs, we tackle the world’s most critical challenges driven by our purpose to create a more connected, sustainable world. Through our global sustainability strategy, PlanBeyond, we integrate sustainability and resilience into how we operate, how we govern risk, how we allocate capital, and how we create value for clients. Sustainability expectations increasingly influence regulatory compliance, economic performance, enterprise risk and market competitiveness. Jacobs operates across diverse geographies, sectors and regulatory regimes. This requires strong enterprise‑level coordination to ensure regulatory readiness, clear policy frameworks, effective risk management and commercially sound decision making across operations, supply chains and corporate functions. This role plays a central part in ensuring Jacobs is prepared for, and responsive to, evolving sustainability related requirements, while supporting the Vice President, Global Head of Sustainability in delivering the broader sustainability agenda across the enterprise.
We are looking for a Corporate Sustainability Director – Governance, Policy & Regulation Readiness to help strengthen how we anticipate, interpret and respond to evolving sustainability requirements across our global business.
Responsibilities
- Monitor and interpret sustainability‑related regulatory, policy and standard developments across key jurisdictions.
- Translate external developments into clear enterprise guidance, readiness actions and prioritised response plans.
- Own and evolve core enterprise sustainability policies, including sustainability, human rights, and social and economic inclusion policies.
- Work with contributors across the business to ensure sustainability policies remain current, credible and practical.
- Partner with Enterprise Risk to identify, assess and manage material sustainability impacts, risks and opportunities.
- Support high‑quality sustainability impact, risk and opportunity disclosures in partnership with ESG reporting colleagues.
- Build the case for sustainability transformation by connecting sustainability objectives to enterprise value, efficiency, resilience and risk mitigation.
- Support business cases for technology and AI‑enabled sustainability initiatives, aligned with responsible AI principles.
- Work with Operations, Procurement and Supply Chain teams to support consistent implementation of sustainability requirements across the value chain.
- Provide strategic, analytical and governance support to the Vice President, Global Head of Sustainability, including input to executive and Board‑level materials.
Qualifications
- Senior experience in sustainability strategy, ESG governance, sustainability regulation, policy, enterprise risk or a closely related field.
- Experience working in a complex, multinational matrixed organisation.
- Strong understanding of sustainability‑related regulatory frameworks and their implications for business.
- Experience owning, developing or stewarding enterprise policies, governance frameworks or business‑wide processes.
- Ability to interpret complex regulatory, policy or market developments and turn them into clear, practical business actions.
- Experience working across multiple corporate functions, such as Risk, Legal, Finance, HR, HSE, Supply Chain, Technology, Strategy or Operations.
- Strong stakeholder engagement skills, with the confidence to influence senior leaders and cross‑functional teams.
- Experience supporting sustainability‑related disclosures, governance papers, executive communications or Board‑level materials.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to simplify complexity.
- Sound judgement, commercial awareness and the ability to balance ambition, risk, proportionality and operational practicality.
Helpful but not essential
- Experience in professional services, infrastructure, engineering, construction, consulting or another project‑based global business.
- Knowledge of enterprise risk management and how sustainability impacts, risks and opportunities are integrated into corporate risk processes.
- Experience developing sustainability transformation business cases.
- Familiarity with responsible AI, sustainability data, technology‑enabled sustainability programmes or digital transformation.
- An advanced degree or equivalent experience in sustainability, economics, law, public policy, finance or a related discipline.
Who you are
- Thinks strategically but can make things practical.
- Is comfortable working through ambiguity and bringing structure to complex topics.
- Builds trust quickly with senior stakeholders and technical specialists.
- Can influence without relying on formal authority.
- Brings a collaborative, consultative style.
- Understands that effective sustainability governance must be credible, proportionate and commercially grounded.
- Can connect external sustainability expectations to internal decision‑making, risk management and business value.
Equal Opportunity
As a disability confident employer, we will interview disabled candidates who best meet the criteria. We welcome applications from candidates who are seeking flexible working and from those who may not meet all the listed requirements for a role.
Corporate Sustainability Director – Governance, Policy & Regulation Readiness in Birmingham employer: Jacobs
At Jacobs, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration that empowers our employees to tackle the world's most pressing sustainability challenges. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through comprehensive training programmes and opportunities for advancement within a diverse, global environment. Located in a vibrant city, we offer a dynamic workplace where your contributions directly impact our mission to create a more connected and sustainable world.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Corporate Sustainability Director – Governance, Policy & Regulation Readiness in Birmingham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the sustainability field, especially those at Jacobs. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that a job description just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by diving deep into Jacobs' sustainability initiatives. Show us you know our PlanBeyond strategy and how it aligns with your experience. We love candidates who are genuinely interested!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your storytelling skills. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've tackled sustainability challenges in the past. We want to hear about your impact and how you can contribute to our mission.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining our team at Jacobs.
We think you need these skills to ace Corporate Sustainability Director – Governance, Policy & Regulation Readiness in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in sustainability strategy and governance. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Corporate Sustainability Director, so don’t hold back on showcasing relevant achievements!
Showcase Your Communication Skills:Since this role requires excellent written communication, ensure your application is clear and concise. Use straightforward language to demonstrate your ability to simplify complex topics, just like you would in the job!
Highlight Stakeholder Engagement:We’re looking for someone who can influence senior leaders and cross-functional teams. In your application, share examples of how you've successfully engaged with stakeholders in previous roles to drive sustainability initiatives.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and keep track of your application. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team at Jacobs!
How to prepare for a job interview at Jacobs
✨Know Your Sustainability Stuff
Make sure you’re up to speed with the latest sustainability regulations and policies. Research Jacobs' sustainability strategy, PlanBeyond, and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals. This shows you’re not just interested in the role but also genuinely invested in their mission.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific sustainability challenges or regulatory changes. Think of examples from your past experience where you successfully navigated complex situations. This will demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to translate regulations into actionable business strategies.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Engagement Skills
Be prepared to discuss how you’ve influenced senior leaders and collaborated across functions in previous roles. Highlight specific instances where your communication skills made a difference in driving sustainability initiatives. Jacobs values strong stakeholder engagement, so make sure to illustrate your ability to build trust and influence.
✨Connect the Dots Between Sustainability and Business Value
During the interview, emphasise how sustainability can drive enterprise value and efficiency. Prepare to discuss how you’ve linked sustainability objectives to risk management and operational practicality in your past roles. This will show that you understand the commercial implications of sustainability, which is crucial for the Corporate Sustainability Director position.
