At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead sustainability initiatives in the vinyl record industry and drive impactful climate action.
- Company: Join the Vinyl Alliance, a non-profit dedicated to sustainable music manufacturing.
- Benefits: Part-time remote role with a competitive salary and flexible work schedule.
- Other info: Collaborate with diverse stakeholders and enjoy opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference at the intersection of music and sustainability.
- Qualifications: Experience in sustainability and strong project management skills required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Location: Remote — open to applicants based in the UK, EU, or North America
Contract: Part-time, freelance, fixed term (12 months)
Time commitment: Approximately 2–3 days per week
Contract value: £40,000 for the 12-month fixed term
Travel: Occasional travel for industry meetings and events
The Vinyl Alliance is looking for a Sustainability Lead to help drive practical, industry-wide action on sustainability across the global vinyl record manufacturing value chain. This is a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of music, manufacturing, and climate action — collaborating with record labels, manufacturers, and industry partners to reduce environmental impact while supporting a resilient and commercially viable sector.
You’ll build on the work of the Vinyl Alliance / Music Climate Pact Sustainable Supplier Programme, translating insights into tangible initiatives, frameworks, and collaboration across the industry. This is a highly autonomous role suited to someone comfortable shaping priorities, managing multiple workstreams, and delivering outcomes with limited day-to-day supervision.
About the Vinyl Alliance: The Vinyl Alliance is a non-profit membership organization formed to strengthen the position of vinyl records in the global recorded music market. Our global roster of members spans the complete vinyl record value chain, from materials suppliers and pressing plants to record labels and playback hardware manufacturers. By aligning stakeholders from all ends of the industry, we offer a unique forum for our members to gain market insight and work collaboratively to address issues facing the industry.
What you’ll be responsible for:
- Sustainable manufacturing
- Develop frameworks to benchmark and recognise supplier sustainability performance
- Build on the Sustainable Supplier Programme to define indicators and maturity models
- Facilitate collaboration between manufacturers and record labels to promote best practice
- Cost reduction and energy transition
- Identify pathways to reduce the cost burden of sustainable manufacturing
- Explore collective renewable energy purchasing opportunities
- Support access to funding, grants, and financing mechanisms
- Circular supply chains
- Develop practical approaches to increasing circularity in record manufacturing
- Support adoption of recycled materials and systems for reuse of production and overstock
- Align stakeholders on quality standards and implementation approaches
- Industry standards and communications
- Support consistent, credible sustainability language across the industry
- Contribute to shared terminology and guidance on materials and technologies
- Help ensure compliance with evolving environmental claims legislation
- Regulation and guidance
- Monitor relevant environmental and consumer protection regulation
- Support members in understanding implications for reporting and claims
- Help prepare the industry for upcoming frameworks such as EU sustainability directives
- Programme coordination and leadership
- Chair the Vinyl Alliance Sustainability Steering Committee
- Coordinate meetings, reporting, and stakeholder engagement
- Represent the Vinyl Alliance in external collaborations and initiatives
What success looks like:
In this role, you will:
- Translate complex sustainability insights into practical, industry-adopted actions
- Build alignment across a diverse stakeholder group with differing priorities
- Establish credible frameworks that support measurable progress across the supply chain
- Help position the Vinyl Alliance as a trusted, neutral voice on sustainability in the sector
Who we’re looking for:
We’re looking for someone with a combination of sustainability expertise, strategic thinking, and stakeholder management.
Key experience and skills:
- Experience in sustainability, environmental strategy, or supply chain decarbonisation
- Understanding of manufacturing sustainability and circular economy principles
- Familiarity with sustainability regulation, reporting frameworks, or environmental claims
- Strong project management and organisational skills
- Ability to work independently and translate strategy into deliverable workplans
- Experience engaging multiple stakeholders with differing perspectives
- Strong communication skills (written and verbal)
- Ability to analyse complex issues and turn them into practical recommendations
Ways of working:
This role involves:
- Managing multiple workstreams and priorities
- Convening and facilitating cross-industry discussions
- Preparing reports, briefings, and recommendations
- Coordinating collaborative initiatives and working groups
- Translating technical sustainability topics into actionable insights
Key stakeholders:
You will work closely with:
- Vinyl Alliance Board and Sustainability Steering Committee
- Vinyl Alliance members
- Music Climate Pact signatories
- Industry partners, sustainability experts, and funding bodies
Additional information:
Part-time role (2–3 days per week) Fixed-term, freelance contract (12 months) Remote with occasional travel for meetings and industry events
Remuneration: £40,000 for the 12-month fixed-term contract, based on an expected commitment of approximately 2–3 days per week, with quarterly progress reviews.
How to apply: Please apply via LinkedIn or send your CV and a short cover note outlining your interest and relevant experience to info[at]vinylalliance.org.
Equal opportunities: The Vinyl Alliance welcomes applications from candidates of all backgrounds. We encourage applicants who may not meet every requirement but bring relevant experience and perspective.
Sustainability Lead in City of London employer: Vinyl Alliance
Contact Detail:
Vinyl Alliance Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Sustainability Lead in City of London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts, attend relevant events, and engage with sustainability groups. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that dream role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your expertise! Prepare to discuss your experience in sustainability and how it relates to the vinyl industry. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've driven change in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job openings to pop up. Reach out directly to companies you admire, like the Vinyl Alliance, and express your interest in contributing to their sustainability initiatives.
✨Tip Number 4
Keep your online presence sharp! Update your LinkedIn profile to reflect your skills and experiences related to sustainability. Engage with content in your field to show you're passionate and knowledgeable.
We think you need these skills to ace Sustainability Lead in City of London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your sustainability expertise and relevant experience. We want to see how your background aligns with the role of Sustainability Lead, so don’t be shy about showcasing your skills!
Craft a Compelling Cover Note: Your cover note is your chance to shine! Keep it concise but impactful, explaining why you’re passionate about sustainability in the vinyl industry and how you can contribute to our mission at the Vinyl Alliance.
Showcase Your Project Management Skills: Since this role involves managing multiple workstreams, highlight any relevant project management experience. We love seeing examples of how you've successfully coordinated initiatives or led teams in the past.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications better and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Vinyl Alliance
✨Know Your Sustainability Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest trends and regulations in sustainability, especially those relevant to manufacturing and the circular economy. Being able to discuss specific frameworks or initiatives you've worked on will show your expertise and passion for the role.
✨Showcase Your Project Management Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed multiple workstreams or projects in the past. Highlight your organisational skills and how you prioritised tasks to achieve outcomes, as this role requires a lot of independent management.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you've previously engaged with diverse stakeholders. Be ready to share examples of how you facilitated discussions or built consensus among differing perspectives, as collaboration is key in this position.
✨Communicate Clearly
Practice articulating complex sustainability concepts in simple terms. The ability to translate technical topics into actionable insights is crucial, so prepare to demonstrate your communication skills during the interview.