Head of Sustainability

Job Description

About the role

Lead the strategic development and implementation of ESG goals, ensuring climate action is a practical, measurable, and integrated component of business operations and design activities.

Serve as the primary authority on net-zero carbon strategies, resource competency, and regulatory compliance.

Act as a consultant on major projects while mentoring staff to embed a culture of environmental stewardship across the entire organisation.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategy & Leadership
• Develop and execute company-wide sustainability policies, including long-term net-zero targets and ESG reporting frameworks.
• Act as the primary authority reporting to the Board of Directors on sustainability targets, ESG performance, and the firm’s Carbon Reduction Plan.
• Provide support to the senior management team to ensure sustainability remains a core business priority.
• Translate global climate guidance and regionally specific regulations into practical firm-wide frameworks that drive compliance and innovation.
• Project Integration & Technical Excellence
• Act as the specialist advisor on client projects, ensuring sustainable solutions are embedded in design, including material selection, construction methodologies, and that respond to regional climatic conditions.
• Lead in-house analysis to ensure design intent is backed by data and oversee environmental assessments and certifications.
• Conduct technical project reviews to ensure sustainability intent is carried through from conceptual vision to realisation on site.
• Enable and oversee technical modelling, including Whole Life Carbon (WLC) calculations, building physics, and environmental analysis.
• Lead studies to evaluate building performance in use, ensuring that goals are realised on-site and beyond.
• Business Development & Client Interface
• Represent the firm’s sustainability credentials during industry events & in external communications
• Support high-stakes bids and pitches to transform environmental consulting into a core project value.
• Liaise directly with clients to gain buy-in for ambitious sustainability objectives and explain the value of green initiatives.
• Produce the sustainability elements of fee proposals and manage the financial aspects of specialised environmental tasks.
• Liaise with Marketing team to communicate sustainable design as intrinsic component of brand including project initiatives and successes.
• People & Internal Culture
• Lead, manage, and mentor the sustainability team while fostering a collaborative culture where climate literacy is integral to the firm’s identity.
• Understand individual, team, and project-based knowledge and how to best leverage this across the office and stay ahead of industry trends.
• Organise CPDs and training for staff at all levels to build internal skills in sustainable practices.
• Track and report on the office’s own environmental footprint, setting internal benchmarks for improvement.