At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead sustainability initiatives across major construction projects and drive environmental excellence.
- Company: Join a top UK construction and engineering firm committed to sustainability.
- Benefits: Influence strategy, work with senior leaders, and shape impactful projects.
- Other info: Dynamic role with significant opportunities for career growth and influence.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in reducing carbon and creating community impact.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in sustainability, strong stakeholder management, and knowledge of UK environmental legislation.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
Referment is partnering with one of the UK's leading construction and engineering businesses to appoint a Lead Sustainability Advisor who will play a pivotal role in delivering sustainability, environmental excellence and social value across some of the country's most complex infrastructure and construction projects.
If you're passionate about reducing carbon, improving environmental performance and creating meaningful community impact, not just ticking compliance boxes, this is an opportunity to influence projects from strategy through to delivery.
Why this role?
This isn't a compliance-only position.
You'll become the sustainability expert across a portfolio of major projects, helping project teams embed best practice in environmental management, carbon reduction, circular economy initiatives and social value from day one.
Working alongside senior operational leaders, clients and supply chain partners, you'll have genuine influence over how large-scale projects are delivered and leave a lasting legacy.
What You'll Be Doing
You'll lead sustainability across multiple live projects, including
- Driving environmental compliance across major construction sites
- Leading sustainability strategy and implementation
- Developing carbon reduction and circular economy initiatives
- Embedding responsible sourcing and resource efficiency
- Delivering meaningful social value programmes with local communities
- Supporting BREEAM, ISO14001 and wider sustainability frameworks
- Conducting environmental audits, inspections and performance reviews
- Advising senior project teams on environmental risk and compliance
- Building relationships with clients, regulators and stakeholders
- Delivering training and helping create a genuine sustainability culture across the business
- We're Looking For Someone With
- A full UK driving licence (essential) and the flexibility to travel regularly between multiple project sites.
- 5+ years' experience in sustainability, environmental or social value within construction, infrastructure or civil engineering
- Strong understanding of UK environmental legislation
- Experience with ISO 14001 and sustainability frameworks such as BREEAM (LEED and TOMs advantageous)
- Knowledge of carbon management and decarbonisation strategies
- Experience producing sustainability reporting and KPI data
- Strong stakeholder management skills with clients, regulators and project teams
- A proactive approach to improving sustainability performance rather than simply maintaining compliance.
You'll thrive if you enjoy
- Influencing senior stakeholders
- Solving complex environmental challenges
- Working across multiple high-profile projects
- Creating measurable environmental and social impact
- Improving processes and driving continuous improvement
- Being recognised as the sustainability expert within a business
Why apply?
- You'll be joining an organisation with a significant pipeline of major infrastructure projects where sustainability is viewed as a commercial advantage - not an afterthought.
- You'll have the opportunity to influence strategy, work with senior decision-makers and help shape the environmental legacy of landmark construction projects across the UK.
- If you're looking for a role where your ideas will be heard and your expertise will genuinely influence project delivery, we'd love to hear from you.
- Apply
If you're an experienced Sustainability Advisor looking to step into a lead role, or already operating at Lead level, we'd be delighted to have a confidential conversation.
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Lead Sustainability Advisor (E902A70) employer: Referment
Join a leading Tier 1/2 contractor renowned for its commitment to delivering complex, large-scale construction projects across the South West and London. With a strong focus on employee development, you will benefit from a dynamic work culture that encourages innovation and collaboration, alongside opportunities for career progression in a site-based leadership role. This is your chance to take ownership of high-stakes infrastructure projects while working within a supportive environment that values safety, quality, and commercial success.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Sustainability Advisor (E902A70)
✨Dive into Environmental Networks
Get involved with sustainability-focused organisations and attend their events. Look for local meetups or conferences in environmental management where you can connect with professionals in the field. This can lead to insider info on job openings at companies like Referment that might not be advertised widely.
✨Show Your Passion with Projects
Consider undertaking personal or community projects that highlight your dedication to sustainability. Whether it's a local clean-up or a carbon footprint assessment, document your findings and results. This not only boosts your portfolio but also shows potential employers like Referment that you're proactive and serious about the field.
✨Seek Out Green Job Boards
Don’t just rely on general job boards. Explore specific platforms that focus on sustainability and environmental management roles. Websites like EnvironmentJobs and Sustainable Business can be goldmines for full-time positions at companies like Referment. Keep an eye out for their aggregation of listings!
✨Let Your Online Presence Shine
Make sure your social media and professional profiles reflect your passion for sustainability. Share articles, engage in discussions, and connect with leaders in the field. Your active presence can make a lasting impression on hiring managers at companies like Referment when they search for candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Sustainability Advisor (E902A70)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Passion for Sustainability:In your cover letter, let your enthusiasm for sustainability shine through. Share any relevant experiences, like projects, volunteer work, or events you've participated in that align with Referment's values. This position isn't just about meeting qualifications; it's about genuinely caring for the environment and showing us why you're the right fit for Lead Sustainability Advisor (E902A70).
Highlight Relevant Qualifications and Experience:Make sure to showcase any specific qualifications, such as degrees in environmental science or certifications in sustainability practices in your CV. We want to see how your academic background and practical experiences align with the job you're applying for, so don’t hold back on anything that demonstrates your expertise in environmental management.
Tailor Your CV to the Role:As we're looking for someone to jump into a full-time role, be specific about previous roles or projects that demonstrate your capabilities in sustainability. Use bullet points to make accomplishments clear, and don’t forget to quantify your achievements wherever possible – it’s all about showing us the impact of your work!
Research Referment and Reflect It In Your Application:We love candidates who take the time to understand what we're about. Mention specific initiatives or projects that Referment is known for in your cover letter. This shows us that you’ve done your homework and are genuinely excited about the chance to contribute to our mission in the role of Lead Sustainability Advisor (E902A70).
How to prepare for a job interview at Referment
✨Brush Up on Environmental Legislation
Given that we're diving into sustainability and environmental management, it’s crucial to have a solid understanding of current environmental laws and regulations. Be prepared to discuss how these laws apply to real-world scenarios, as you might face some technical questions about compliance and best practices during your chat with Referment.
✨Showcase Your Experience with Sustainability Projects
When you're discussing your background, highlight specific sustainability initiatives you've been involved in. Whether it’s a project at university or work experience, sharing measurable outcomes and your role will demonstrate your hands-on skills, which is super important for this full-time role at Referment.
✨Familiarity with Tools and Software
Make sure you're familiar with any relevant tools or software commonly used in environmental management, like GIS for mapping or data analysis tools. Bring this up in your interview as it shows you’re not only passionate but also prepared to roll up your sleeves and get to work!
✨Connect Your Values with the Company's Mission
Full-time roles are all about team fit, so it’s important to align your personal values with those of Referment. Be ready to discuss why you're passionate about sustainability and how you can contribute to their mission, as this will really resonate with the interviewers and show that you’re genuinely invested in their goals.
