Senior Sustainability Manager

Mace Construct Limited • Full-time • London • 2w ago

At Mace, our purpose is to redefine the boundaries of ambition. We believe in creating places that are responsible, bringing transformative impact to our people, communities and societies across the globe. To learn more about our purpose, culture, and priorities, visit our strategy site.

Within our consult business, we harness our unique combination of leading-edge practical expertise and project delivery consultancy to unlock the potential in every project.

The project\:

This is an exciting opportunity for a senior sustainability manager to join Mace’s responsible business team. As a member of the team, you will lead a regional pool of projects on the department for education (DfE) projects.

This position is ideal for an individual experienced in project leadership and management, with a good holistic understanding of sustainability, climate change and biodiversity aligned with current and future trends in the built environment. We want the candidate to inspire, challenge, guide and help us to deliver our sector-leading sustainability targets outlined in our 2026 business priority, Pursue a Sustainable World.

We are a purpose-led organisation that places diversity and inclusion at the heart of everything we do. Our responsible business practice group comprising 170+ people bring themselves to work each day to make a difference; to create a low carbon resilient world, shaping cities and building thriving communities, and helping our clients to realise their ambitions.

Our values shape the way we consult and define the people we want to join us on our journey, they are:

Safety first - Going home safe and well
Client focus - Deliver on our promise
Integrity - Always do the right thing
Create opportunity - For our people to excel

You’ll be responsible for:

Delivery of service excellence, delivering purpose-led and measurable outcomes for clients for the DfE.
Leading the development of client biodiversity, climate change and sustainability strategies on an individual project and at programme level including agreeing project outcomes and ensuring their delivery by the project team with a focus on work for the DfE.
Managing the regional team working across DfE projects, which includes identifying resource requirements, recruitment as required and championing career development.
Delivering CPD/training sessions with Mace teams, and upskilling the delivery team
Reporting on financial health, resourcing health and ensuring quality of delivery across your region/portfolio of projects
Working with our external partners/sub-consultants which could include commissioning additional services, preparing technical scopes and developing strong working relationships.
Providing technical expertise and promote innovation in particular areas of sustainability including climate led design principles such as operational and embodied carbon and nature-based solutions
Contributing to the delivery of the business strategy priorities and corporate targets, in particular, the holistic sustainability KPIs including client carbon, biodiversity and value to society
Sustainability technical advisor role which includes reviewing consultant and contractor design proposals against client and planning requirements.
Delivering commercial revenue targets aligned to the project/programme plan, requiring the translation of project/programme objectives into deliverable strategies, leading to a sustainable business for Mace in the sector.
Developing a strong working relationship with our internal team across Mace including the architectural, engineering, information management, PMO, cost and project management teams.
Working with contractors and stakeholders to deliver best practice in terms of sustainability, biodiversity, and environmental management, supporting them with specific queries – translating technical requirements into layperson language to ensure all stakeholders understand their roles and responsibilities.
Work-winning through bids, solutioning, client liaison and raising Mace’s profile externally.
Promoting digital innovation within the responsible business team and work with internal teams across mace with a focus on driving efficiency in delivery for education sector.
Overseeing, managing, and champion the careers of those working within the education sector to ensure a healthy happy and productive work environment for all within it.
Overseeing and mentoring the onboarding of new members into the team to embody the Mace values and deliver service excellence for clients.

You’ll need to have:

Knowledge of sustainable building design, including embodied and operational carbon and energy reduction, in new build and refurbishment projects, including programme, cost and operational impacts of NZC strategies.
Established track record of successfully managing delivery on projects from initial site analysis and concept design through to detailed design through to construction.
Developing biodiversity, climate change and sustainability strategies.
Technical know-how, and experience of working with contractors and environmental management during construction.
Experience of understanding client requirements and developing scope and fee proposals.
Thorough knowledge and understanding of the UK legal and planning system with respect to BNG, environmental assessment and management.
Undertaking a technical advisory sustainability role which includes reviewing contractor design proposals against client and planning requirements.
An understanding of the current and historic DfE technical standards and project requirements is preferable.
Proven track record of driving design teams to maximise sustainability
Knowledge of the implementation of green building accreditation schemes, particularly BREEAM.
Ability to lead/direct a project team to deliver the most appropriate solutions to meet client objectives.
Experience in leading a team to deliver sustainability advice across programmes, as well as upskilling wider project teams to champion sustainability
Providing performance feedback to direct reports through line and task management responsibilities
Be able to translate technical topics into layperson language and articulate the value of sustainability.
Be able to represent Mace at relevant forums and through presentations to clients and working groups.
Provide industry insights, engage in external events to be on top of what is current, and conducting horizon scans to remain relevant in the marketplace
Champion sustainability and be a leader, encouraging behavioural change throughout the business.
Developing innovation and best practice, including clearly communicating these to the wider business and our clients.
Able to translate best practices from one client/sector to another.

Mace is an inclusive employer and welcomes interest from a diverse range of candidates. Even if you feel you do not fulfil all of the criteria, please apply as you may still be the best candidate for this role or another role within our organisation.

We are also open to discussing part-time, flexible, and hybrid working options if suitable within the role.

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