Sustainability Lead, EMEA

About Populous

For more than 40 years, Populous has had a singular focus – to draw people together around the things that they love, to be the leading design firm that specialises in places, spaces and events where people gather. Our success is defined by designing projects that are seen as the benchmark. We are committed to future innovation, anticipating and shaping the future of our industries. Populous has designed and delivered some of the world's most memorable civic, sports and entertainment buildings, from iconic stadiums to ground-breaking live music venues. We’re a global specialised design firm with local roots in 9 cities across the UK/EMEA regions. We are committed to designing more sustainable buildings. As signatories to Architects Declare UK and the AIA 2030 Commitment, we continue to reformulate our workflows and educate our clients to ensure that the decisions we make are informed and help mitigate the realities of a changing climate.

About the Role

We are seeking a Sustainability Lead, EMEA to join our design practice. The successful candidate will be a true innovator – a trendsetter with a comprehensive understanding of the issues and challenges faced by the architecture and design industry in driving the sustainability agenda forward. They will also have a keen interest in the sports and entertainment industries. In this role, you will be developing and leading the sustainability agenda for Populous within our EMEA region, supporting London and EU/MENA-based studios in their practice of increased environmental responsiveness and maintaining alignment with our Global Sustainability Action Plan (SAP). You will be leading specific project-related sustainability initiatives, including project design reviews, helping win new work, and supporting all sectors in best‑practice approaches. With a background in design, and likely holding a qualification in environmental design, you will also be educating staff on the latest knowledge and legislation to help them align their work with our environmental ambitions and commitments.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and grow a sustainability advisory team as a source of revenue for the practice, while utilising talent from across disciplines + recruiting/training key members of staff.
• Lead our sustainability external engagement while working with the EMEA Board of Directors, EcoPOP (our internal sustainability group) and Marketing.
• Drive, audit and administer EMEA environmental commitments compliance and certification.
• Identify key areas of research and lead in-house execution, as well as external partnerships and marketing.
• Author publications with the aim of popularising all sustainability focused achievements of the practice.

Projects

• A creative who will drive and influence the future sustainability trends associated with our building typologies.
• Lead sustainability advisory projects.
• Form and lead a team undertaking formal sustainability reviews of all major projects at all RIBA design stages.
• Lead a sustainability research group instigating small test projects, driving live project research, environmental analysis and design workflows.
• Create a network of external consultants to be brought in where in-house capabilities are insufficient.
• Responsible for leading research and staff briefings about the latest sustainability materials and trends.
• Oversee the creation of a regional Sustainability Action Plan (SAP) and a stadium/arena sustainable design guide.

People

• Overall responsibility for sustainability education, specific to the range of roles and seniority levels across the practice, strategically aligned with project requirements and client pursuits.
• Develop and deliver a process for internal knowledge exchange and staff enrollment in external educational courses.
• Join external thought leadership organisations such as LETI, UK Green Building Council, RIBA, NLA Net Zero.
• Responsible for identifying R&D streams, both undergoing or in the future, to be investigated further, resourced, shared internally and externally.
• Overall responsibility for recruiting talent with focus on sustainability – designers, analysts, coordinators.

Key Requirements

• A strong and proven track record of leading a sustainability agenda, and of driving tangible change.
• A background in creative environmental design (not necessarily architecture but involving creative thinking).
• Experience of working in the role of a sustainability leader both in Europe and MENA region would be an advantage.
• Proven track record in R&D, relationships with academic institutions, presenter at conferences, published work (papers, articles, books).
• BREEAM and LEED recognised qualification would be a plus, as would practical knowledge of Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS), Pearl Rating System (PRS), Mostadam and other equivalent systems.
• Understanding of various environmental analysis tools, ability to interpret results.
• Ability to present sustainability work and environmental design issues in an understandable and captivating manner.

About the Studio

Our Putney studio, which is also our EMEA Headquarters, is located on the banks of the River Thames, a short walk from Putney High Street and with excellent travel connections. Our employees enjoy a comprehensive and competitive benefits programme, as well as the opportunity to attend events at several Populous-designed venues.

Why Join the Team?

• Work alongside passionate, creative individuals who lead their industry, transform ideas into reality and celebrate the beauty of human connection.
• Enjoy various benefits, such as hybrid working and gym membership discounts.
• Enjoy the opportunity to attend events at Populous-designed venues.
• Connect and learn at regular social and knowledge sharing events including an annual conference and a weekend abroad Christmas party.

Populous is an equal opportunity employer.