Environmental Management & Sustainability Compliance Manager

The Position

This is a critical role within the Sustainability & ESG team. Our client is seeking an experienced compliance professional with a strong understanding of sustainability legislation to take ownership of the Environmental Management System (EMS), lead environmental compliance activity, and ensure the organisation meets its obligations across sustainability reporting, environmental management, mobility/automotive regulation, and energy/EV legislation. A key priority will be preparing for the updated ISO14001:2026 standard and expanding EMS coverage. The role will also establish a Group-wide view of sustainability compliance obligations to ensure readiness for emerging regulations. This role reports to the Climate Change & Environment Manager and works closely with ESG team members and cross-functional stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Environmental Compliance & EMS: Own and manage the Environmental Management System (EMS), ensuring alignment with ISO14001 standards; Lead preparation for ISO14001:2026 updates; Expand EMS scope across operational sites; Maintain EMS documentation, policies, and procedures; Drive continuous improvement; Develop environmental compliance strategy and reporting frameworks; Maintain environmental compliance registers; Liaise with regulators.
• Environmental & Sustainability Reporting Compliance: Maintain a register of sustainability and environmental reporting obligations; Monitor emerging legislation; Conduct gap analyses; Ensure compliance with reporting deadlines; Support business units.
• Engagement & Site Accountability: Drive site-level engagement with EMS; Establish regular communication with operational sites; Implement self-audit processes; Support operational teams.
• Risk & Opportunities: Implement structured risk management approach; Maintain environmental risk registers.
• Reporting: Provide quarterly EMS performance updates; Deliver updates on sustainability compliance developments.
• Training: Develop and maintain compliance training programmes; Drive engagement on sustainability initiatives.
• Supporting Carbon & Environmental Data: Support data collection for sustainability reporting (SECR, ESOS, carbon footprinting).

Key Requirements

• Technical Experience: Significant experience in environmental/sustainability compliance (circa 10 years); Strong expertise in ISO 14001 implementation and audit within multi-site environments; Broad understanding of sustainability compliance and reporting frameworks; Strong knowledge of UK and European environmental legislation; Experience managing legal/compliance registers; Ability to interpret emerging sustainability reporting requirements; Experience with regulatory authorities.
• Skills & Behaviours: Pragmatic and commercially aware; Self-motivated; Solutions-oriented; Strong stakeholder engagement; Strategic thinker; Excellent communication, analytical, and organisational skills; Strong project management capabilities.

Employer

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Consultant

Aysen Naylor - Recruitment Consultant