Sustainability Manager, Chelsea FC

Chelsea Football Club is seeking a Sustainability Manager. The role will focus on implementing policies, monitoring performance, and delivering reporting that helps reduce the Club’s environmental impact as well as drives sustainability compliance across key stakeholder groups.

Core elements of the role:

• Ensure the Club’s full compliance with all environmental legislation, regulations, and reporting requirements, including carbon reporting and GHG accounting.
• Maintain accurate and auditable records of the Club’s environmental performance and emissions data, working with internal teams and approved third parties.
• Implement and monitor environmental management systems to meet statutory obligations and recognised standards.
• Oversee environmental audits, inspections, and corrective actions to ensure ongoing compliance and continuous improvement.
• Support operational teams including Procurement, Retail, Catering, Events, Grounds, Facilities, and Operations in meeting regulatory standards and delivering approved carbon reduction plans.
• Promote understanding of environmental obligations across the Club and its partners, ensuring consistent adherence to policies and regulations.
• Run and manage the club’s working groups and sustainability committees, working with the Internal Communications team to raise awareness of Club sustainability initiatives to help influence positive change across the business.
• Maintain compliance with all sustainability regulations including SECR, ESOS, TCFD, CSRD as well as requirements from UEFA, FIFA & the Premier League.
• Maintain familiarity with the existing and upcoming regulations or reporting requirements that the Club is subject to, ensuring transparency and alignment with evolving standards.
• Develop and maintain climate risk registers, sustainability policies, and supplier sustainability protocols.
• Maintain and improve the club's environmental certifications and standards, in line with ownership and regulator expectations.
• Work with the Communications team and develop a club wide communications roadmap to ensure the environmental sustainability efforts of the club are shared appropriately.
• Report on a variety of agreed sustainability-related metrics, to be used in briefings for Club senior leadership and in internal and external communications.
• To demonstrate and live by the club’s values; Here to Win, Be Brave, Do the Right Thing, Play Your Part, Many Teams, One Club and Proud to Be Chelsea.
• To adhere to the club’s policies and procedures, including Health & Safety, Financial Authorisation, Confidentiality and GDPR.
• To act as an ambassador for diversity, equality, and inclusion, and demonstrate a positive commitment by treating others fairly in line with our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Policy and reporting any acts of discrimination through appropriate channels.
• To create a safe environment and act to protect all young people and vulnerable adults that are either in your care or attending club premises, and report any concerns to the Safeguarding Lead.
• To report any misconduct or suspected misconduct to the HR Department.

Success in this role will be measured against a variety of sustainability-related KPI’s, to be discussed and agreed with the Director of Procurement & Sustainability.

Qualifications:

• A degree or certification in an environmental or science discipline is desirable as are qualifications in data analytics, procurement or finance.

Experience:

• Experience in a sustainability-related role, with an understanding of the environmental sustainability challenges specific to the sports, entertainment or hospitality sectors is desirable however candidates who can demonstrate relevant experience from outside of these industries will also be considered.

Skills and behaviours:

• Strong knowledge of GHG accounting, environmental foot printing (carbon, plastics, water) and disclosure is highly desirable.
• Technical and project management skills, with the ability to coordinate projects involving a variety of stakeholders.
• Strong analytical skills and data driven mindset, with the ability to conduct research and summarise information.
• Highly organised and strong verbal communication, able to break down complex ideas and influence decision-making at all levels.
• Effective communicator who easily builds relationships with stakeholders at all levels to deliver results.
• Advanced stakeholder and client management skills.

Benefits:

• 25 days annual leave (pro-rata) + Bank Holidays. After three years’ service, AL days increase to 28 (pro-rata).
• Pension Contribution (5%).
• Life Assurance (4 x base salary).
• Private healthcare through Vitality.
• C2W (Cycle to Work scheme).
• Chelsea Ticket Membership Program – enables employees to purchase tickets for home games 49 days prior to the match.
• Free staff lunches at Stamford Bridge (Mon-Fri).
• Discount on club and club-affiliated products (Megastore, Nike 25% discount, Stadium Tours, onsite bar/restaurant etc).
• Employee Assistance Program, Mental Health first aiders and a strong well-being community.

Chelsea FC and the Foundation is fully committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all children, young people and adults at risk (vulnerable groups). We therefore require all successful applicants to complete a DBS Check prior to starting employment. Depending on the role, successful applicants may also be required to undergo other child protection screening where appropriate.

This Job Description is not intended to be exhaustive; the duties and responsibilities may therefore vary over time according to the changing needs of the Club.