Sustainability Director in Guildford

About the Role

Allen & York are partnering with Future Biogas on the appointment of a commercially focused Head of Sustainability to lead and evolve sustainability strategy, governance and certification activities across a rapidly growing renewable energy business.

Responsibilities

• Overall leadership, strategic direction and responsibility of all sustainability requirements and strategies for the business, including sustainability budgets, people, resource and contingency planning.
• Lead and continually develop the overarching Sustainability Strategy, GHG inventory, emission reduction targets, reporting requirements and associated governance.
• Provide leadership and strategic direction for operational sustainability certification, including expansion projects, ISCC, RHI, REGO, RGGO, DENA, Achilles and other relevant schemes.
• Leadership and strategic direction for developmental work, including LCA, abatement curve development, setting of new standards and procedures.
• Develop and manage relationships with key regulators such as Ofgem and key external stakeholders including auditors, independent reviewers, specialist consultancies, policy makers, standard publishers and working groups.
• Identify and nurture key external partners, relationships and collaborations instrumental to growth and business‑critical certification and accreditation requirements.
• Manage ownership and accountability for key business risks relating to sustainability certification and MRV, and proactively identify and plan cost‑effective mitigation strategies for future or potential risks.
• Contribute to scope and delivery of business strategy.

About You

• Academic or professional qualifications related to sustainability, Life Cycle Assessments, carbon reporting, sustainability certification and accreditation.
• A track record of effective leadership, governance and delivery of certification and accreditation processes, compliance and novel development of certification processes.
• Proven experience in strategic team leadership, with excellent line management and people development skills.
• Deep industry knowledge of the renewable energy sector and technical expertise relating to MRV, accreditation schemes & certificates.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• The ability to operate strategically whilst remaining hands‑on when required.
• Experience within anaerobic digestion, biomethane, bioenergy or wider energy transition markets would be highly advantageous.

Why Join Future Biogas?

Future Biogas is at the forefront of the UK anaerobic digestion sector, owning and operating 11 AD plants nationwide and delivering innovative decarbonisation solutions combining renewable gas and carbon sequestration technologies. With backing from 3i Infrastructure and partnerships with organisations including AstraZeneca, the business is entering an exciting new phase of expansion and innovation within the energy transition sector.

EEO and Inclusion Statement

Allen & York have been matching purposeful people with purpose‑led organisations for 30 years. We partner with our clients and candidates on roles that build an understanding of climate change, promote sustainability and create inclusive and responsible organisations, working towards a sustainable world for us all. Committed to inclusiveness in the workplace, we aim to increase diversity across all areas and therefore welcome applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their ethnicity, race, gender, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, age, or whether or not they have a disability.