Lead Sustainability Advisor (6787E87)

Referment; Greater London; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Referment is partnering with one of the UK's leading construction and engineering businesses to appoint a Lead Sustainability Advisor who will drive sustainability, environmental excellence and social value across complex infrastructure and construction projects.

You'll lead sustainability strategy, embed environmental best practice, and work with senior leaders, clients and supply chain partners to leave a lasting environmental legacy across major projects in the UK.

Qualifications

• 5–8 years of sustainability, environmental or social value experience.
• Deep knowledge of UK environmental legislation and ISO 14001.
• Experience in construction, infrastructure or civil engineering, ideally with a tier‑1 contractor.
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive sustainability performance.

Responsibilities

• Lead sustainability across multiple live projects and set strategy.
• Embed environmental management, carbon reduction and circular economy.
• Deliver social value programmes with local communities.
• Support BREEAM, ISO14001 and wider frameworks; conduct audits and reviews.
• Advise project teams on environmental risk and compliance.
• Build relationships with clients, regulators and stakeholders.
• Provide training and foster a sustainability culture within the business.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Environmental strategy

Carbon management

Sustainability reporting

Strategic influence

Job description

Referment is partnering with one of the UK's leading construction and engineering businesses to appoint a Lead Sustainability Advisor who will play a pivotal role in delivering sustainability, environmental excellence and social value across some of the country's most complex infrastructure and construction projects.

If you're passionate about reducing carbon, improving environmental performance and creating meaningful community impact, not just ticking compliance boxes, this is an opportunity to influence projects from strategy through to delivery.

Why this role?

This isn't a compliance-only position.

You'll become the sustainability expert across a portfolio of major projects, helping project teams embed best practice in environmental management, carbon reduction, circular economy initiatives and social value from day one.

Working alongside senior operational leaders, clients and supply chain partners, you'll have genuine influence over how large-scale projects are delivered and leave a lasting legacy. This role is ideally suited for a Senior Sustainability Advisor looking to take the next step into a Lead position within a major tier‑1 construction environment.

What You'll Be Doing

You’ll lead sustainability across multiple live projects, including:

• Driving environmental compliance across major construction sites
• Leading sustainability strategy and implementation
• Developing carbon reduction and circular economy initiatives
• Embedding responsible sourcing and resource efficiency
• Delivering meaningful social value programmes with local communities
• Supporting BREEAM, ISO14001 and wider sustainability frameworks
• Conducting environmental audits, inspections and performance reviews
• Advising senior project teams on environmental risk and compliance
• Building relationships with clients, regulators and stakeholders
• Delivering training and helping create a genuine sustainability culture across the business

We're Looking For Someone With

• A full UK driving licence (essential) and the flexibility to travel regularly between multiple project sites.
• 5 to 8 years of experience in sustainability, environmental or social value roles.
• Direct experience within the construction, infrastructure or civil engineering sectors, ideally with a tier‑1 contractor.
• Strong understanding of UK environmental legislation.
• Technical knowledge of ISO 14001 and sustainability frameworks such as BREEAM (LEED and TOMs advantageous).
• Proven experience in carbon management and decarbonisation reporting.
• Strong stakeholder management skills with clients, regulators and project teams.
• A proactive approach to improving sustainability performance rather than simply maintaining compliance.

You’ll thrive if you enjoy:

• Influencing senior stakeholders
• Solving complex environmental challenges
• Working across multiple high‑profile projects
• Creating measurable environmental and social impact
• Improving processes and driving continuous improvement
• Being recognised as the sustainability expert within a business

Why apply?

• You’ll be joining an organisation with a significant pipeline of major infrastructure projects where sustainability is viewed as a commercial advantage - not an afterthought.
• You’ll have the opportunity to influence strategy, work with senior decision‑makers and help shape the environmental legacy of landmark construction projects across the UK.
• If you're looking for a role where your ideas will be heard and your expertise will genuinely influence project delivery, we'd love to hear from you.