Environmental Sustainability Manager

We are Eversheds Sutherland, a global law firm, with more than 5,000 people across over 30 countries. We’re full-service with deep niche and sector experience. Whatever challenge, wherever in the world, we’re equipped and ready to meet it. We live our values, we’re purposeful and purpose-led. So although the world is fast-moving and rapidly changing, we see it as a place where everyone can thrive. We’re ambitious for our clients, our communities – and for you. Whether you’re starting out on your career or well established, whether you’re a lawyer or in business services. If you’re looking for what’s next, we are too.

Our team

The Responsible Business team leads the delivery of the firm-wide strategy to embed responsible business practices throughout the international business. They coordinate reporting and deliver initiatives aimed at creating a positive impact across four focus areas: people, community, environment, and governance and ethics. Eversheds Sutherland is a proud signatory of the UN Global Compact, demonstrating the firm’s commitment to supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals.  

As part of the Responsible Business team, the Environmental Sustainability team acts as a centre of excellence within the firm for developing and delivering the environmental sustainability strategy, ensuring that the firm meets its environmental commitments.   
 

The Role
We are recruiting for an Environmental Sustainability Manager to join the Responsible Business team. Reporting into the Responsible Business- Environmental Lead, you will support on the development and delivery of the firm’s international Environmental Sustainability strategy, ensuring that it creates a positive impact and aligns with relevant standards, frameworks, regulations and stakeholder requirements. The role focuses on strategy implementation, compliance and reporting, and stakeholder engagement, working closely with internal teams and external partners to integrate environmental sustainability across the firm’s activities. 

Key responsibilities

 Strategy & implementation 

• Support the development and delivery of the firm’s Environmental Sustainability strategy ensuring alignment with relevant standards, frameworks, regulatory and client requirements (examples include UN Global Compact, UN SDGs, SBTi, ISO14001, CFD, EcoVadis).
• Develop policies, action plans, and indicators for environmental sustainability, collaborating with internal stakeholders to integrate them into the firm's practices.
• Support the implementation and upkeep of the company's international Environmental Management System in accordance with ISO14001 standards.

Reporting and compliance  

• Manage the environmental data system (collection, analysis, and progress tracking) to ensure accurate sustainability data reporting that meets the firm’s requirements.
• Manage the supplier relationship with the external carbon accounting platform and oversee the greenhouse gas (GHG) data external verification process.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory reporting requirements such as ESOS, SECR, and CFD and coordinate with consultants as needed.
• Prepare internal progress reports and external submissions as required, including CDP, and lead on the environmental sustainability section for the Responsible Business report.

Stakeholder engagement and communication

• Lead responses to client sustainability requests and contribute to client pitches, understanding needs and expectations of stakeholders. 
• Collaborate with the Supplier Sustainability & Compliance Manager to engage suppliers and integrate environmental sustainability in the supply chain.
• Foster and maintain effective working relationships with international Workplace colleagues and other internal teams as required to implement environmental strategy and support firm wide Responsible Business commitments. 
• Develop and maintain an annual environmental sustainability engagement plan and work with others to deliver firmwide to support participation and raise awareness of the firm’s environmental commitments. (e.g. World Environment Day)  
• Development and delivery of training and awareness on environmental sustainability practices for internal colleagues.
• Provide up to date content for environmental sections on intranet and website.
• Represent Eversheds Sutherland in relevant networks, forums and events.

Job duties and responsibilities included are not exhaustive and may be revised or modified as necessary.
 
Skills and experience:

• Proven track record: Experience in a role with a proven track record of delivering change and implementing an environmental strategy across an organisation.
• Sustainability knowledge: Comprehensive knowledge of environmental sustainability issues, best practice guidance, standards, and regulations, along with the ability to interpret them in relation to the operations of an international law firm.
• Passion and motivation: Drive and passion for sustainability, with the ability to motivate others.  
• Carbon accounting: Good knowledge of greenhouse gas/ carbon accounting, target setting and progress reporting (across scopes 1,2, and 3) 
• Data management and reporting: Proficient in data management and analysis, with the ability to interpret and simplify complex information. 
• Communication skills: Effective communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to collaborate and build relationships with stakeholders. 
• Detail-oriented: Keen eye for detail and the ability to identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Critical thinking: Strong critical thinking skills and well informed decision-making processes.
• Technology proficiency: Confidence in use of technology, including carbon accounting software and Microsoft packages, particularly Excel. 
• Project management: Strong project management skills, including the ability to prioritise workload, coordinate projects, set clear tasks and follow up on tasks, and keep team updated.
• Continuous personal development: Openness to gathering and accepting feedback to develop within the role and seeking opportunities for development.
• ISO14001 experience: Experience with ISO 14001 (or equivalent) environmental management systems is desirable. 

What’s in it for you?
At Eversheds Sutherland, we provide benefits focused on looking after you: your development, your performance, your financial future and your health, as well as providing the opportunity to make a contribution to the world.

• We’re fair, transparent and equitable
• We share in the success of the firm, reward alignment to our values, going above and beyond and your individual performance
• We support flexible ways of working through our remote working policy and commitment to flexible, agile and hybrid ways of working
• We support your health and performance through our dental, healthcare and wellness support
• We support everything you are and all you bring through our powerful commitment to diversity and inclusion
• We provide a platform for your career, whatever your ambitions through our structured professional and personal training, mentoring and development programs
• We provide experience and opportunity through international and cross-function exposure
• We provide an opportunity to give back through our pro bono work and community engagement
• We help you plan ahead through retirement planning, insurance and assurance

Diversity & Inclusion

At Eversheds Sutherland, “Inclusive” is a core business value. We bring together different skillsets, global mindsets and approaches. We foster diversity of thought and the freedom to put ideas into action. We have an inherent respect for the individual. We have a strong belief in collaboration and teamwork. Sharing ideas, asking questions, solving challenges and meeting our clients’ goals: together.

We want all our people to thrive at work and reach their full potential and we work hard to continue to build a diverse and inclusive culture, monitor and report on our progress and impact, and develop our approach. This is reflected in our policies, systems and processes, and in our work with diversity membership organisations.

Many of our people work flexibly in some way and we are open to considering how we can accommodate flexible working arrangements alongside role requirements. If this is important to you, please talk to us about it during the recruitment process.

We want you to perform at your best during our recruitment process. If there is any adjustment or support you need, please contact us so we can discuss how we can best assist you.

For you,

For your success.

And what's next.