Operations / Project Manager - Compliance / Policy CSR in Colchester

Thanks for stopping by - and yes, the job title may look a little unconventional. That’s intentional. We want this opportunity to be genuinely inclusive and open to people with transferable skills who could excel in this role. Of course, we’d love to hear from you if you’ve worked in a sustainability role or within a sustainability-focused business and are now ready to lead sustainability initiatives across a growing group. Equally, you may have played a key role in driving sustainability or ESG programmes, leading B Corp accreditation, or delivering wider change and transformation initiatives. Whatever your background, we’re excited to be hiring an Operations / Project Manager at a pivotal moment as we scale towards a £200m revenue business - and we strongly encourage you to apply even if you don’t tick every box.

If you’re ready for a new challenge with a business that will help you shine, develop, and grow, we’d love to hear from you.

The Role at a Glance:

• Onsite Colchester, Essex (with travel across UK Group sites)
• Plus Company Car, Bupa, 4% Matched Pension Contribution
• Full-time | Senior Strategic Role

Company: Milbank Group - family-owned investment business with a diverse portfolio of companies, focused on long-term, patient investments.

Portfolio: 13 diverse businesses including construction suppliers, current £80 million revenue, 360+ Employees.

Culture: Integrity, personalised service, and genuine care for our customers at the heart of all we do.

Your Background Could Include:

• Sustainability
• CSR
• Policy
• Change
• Transformation
• Project Management
• Programme Management
• Operations
• Procurement / Supply Chain
• Construction & Built Environment
• Utilities
• Bids / Proposals
• HR, People, Performance & Culture

Who we are: The Milbank Group is a privately owned investment company focused on acquiring, developing, and nurturing UK-based businesses. Built on strong family values and long-term thinking, we invest in people, innovation, and operations to create sustainable, responsible growth. Our ambition is simple but bold: every business in the Group should lead its sector in environmental standards, innovation, and employee experience.

We are now looking for an Operations / Project Manager, to take ownership of the sustainability agenda across our portfolio of businesses. Reporting to the Group Commercial Director, this is a stand-alone, hands-on, high-impact leadership role where you will design, embed, and continuously enhance Group-wide sustainability strategy, systems, and culture. You’ll work closely with subsidiary Managing Directors, leadership teams, and project stakeholders to ensure sustainability is fully integrated into commercial decision-making, operations, and growth plans. This role is ideal for a commercially minded professional who enjoys shaping strategy but is equally comfortable rolling up their sleeves to deliver results.

What You’ll Be Doing:

• You will lead the Group’s sustainability ambition end to end, shaping strategy and turning it into action. Working across the business, you’ll embed ESG, Net Zero and responsible practices into product design, procurement, operations and marketing, ensuring sustainability becomes a genuine commercial and competitive advantage.
• You’ll bring clarity and discipline to how sustainability is measured and reported, owning data, governance and PPP metrics across the Group. From ESG reporting and B Corp assessments to dashboards and Board insight, you’ll translate complexity into clear, decision-ready information and strengthen sustainability credentials in bids and client engagement.
• Just as importantly, you’ll act as a catalyst for cultural change - championing sustainability, engaging leaders and teams, building internal capability and trusted external partnerships, and helping create a business where sustainability is lived, not labelled.

About You:

Ideal Experience & Knowledge:

• Proven experience or qualification in sustainability, environmental management, ESG, or responsible business
• Strong working knowledge of ISO 14001, BES 6001, SECR, ESOS, Net Zero, and EPD processes
• Experience delivering statutory sustainability / ESG reporting at company or Group level
• Confident working with data and translating insights into clear recommendations
• Experience with B Corp certification or Impact Assessments (desirable)

Personal Attributes:

• Commercially astute, with a clear understanding of how sustainability drives growth
• Pragmatic, structured, and delivery-focused
• Collaborative and influential, able to engage stakeholders at all levels
• Curious, innovative, and adaptable in a fast-evolving regulatory landscape
• Comfortable operating in an acquisitive, forward-looking Group environment

What Success Looks Like:

• Accurate, high-quality PPP and ESG reporting across the Group
• Clear Net Zero roadmaps with measurable Scope 1, 2, and 3 reductions
• EPDs in place for key products, supporting sales and tenders
• Tangible commercial wins linked to sustainability initiatives
• Improved B Corp / sustainability impact scores
• A strong internal culture of sustainability ownership and pride

Why Join Us? You will join a values-driven, forward-thinking investment business where people, sustainability, and long-term growth matter. This is a rare opportunity to lead the sustainability agenda across a diverse UK portfolio — translating strategy into action, driving measurable impact, and leaving a lasting legacy across the Group and the communities we serve.