Projects and Engagement Manager, Sustainability Strategy

DLA Piper LLP; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

DLA Piper LLP is seeking a proactive Sustainability Strategy professional to help embed sustainability across the firm. You will work with the Sustainability Strategy team to measure, report and communicate impact, ensuring alignment with Terra Carta and ESG initiatives.

You will develop management information, dashboards and training materials, collaborate with partners and clients, and support the Sustainability Steering Committee to advance strategic priorities.

Qualifications

• 4-5 years' relevant professional experience in sustainability, strategy, policy, learning or communications.

Responsibilities

• Lead measurement and reporting of sustainability work across the firm.
• Develop MI, dashboards and reports for senior leadership translating data into insights.
• Communicate sustainability developments and commercial relevance to clients and the firm.
• Lead design and continuous improvement of the sustainability learning programme.
• Collaborate with lawyers and business teams to keep learning commercially relevant.
• Provide governance and secretariat support for the Sustainability Steering Committee.
• Support Head of Sustainability in delivering strategic priorities.

Skills

Sustainability strategy

Stakeholder management

Data analysis

Communication

Learning program design

Governance & secretariat

PowerPoint proficiency

Business insights

Tools

PowerPoint

Excel

Job description

DLA Piper is unique amongst law firms in its approach to sustainability.

We are one of the only law firms to have executive-level responsibility for sustainability, through our Managing Director for Sustainability and Resilience. We are the first law firm to have been appointed the Terra Carta Seal by the Sustainable Markets Initiative, founded by His Majesty King Charles III and are consistently shortlisted for, and win major sustainability and energy transition awards. We are one of the few law firms to be in the Blue Zone in all three Rio Convention Summits.

Unlike many other law firms, we do not have a discrete sustainability and ESG practice. Instead, sustainability forms a horizontal pillar of our overall firm strategy, and we are seeking to embed it across our firm. Our Sustainability Strategy team reports to our Head of Sustainability, who in turn supports our Managing Director of Sustainability and Resilience on the sustainability business strategy for our international firm. 18 months since its establishment, the team is now looking for a new member to help understand, value and communicate its work to an internal and external audience.

The Sustainability Strategy team are responsible for:

• Generating research, analysis and insights on the external sustainability landscape that could potentially impact our clients to support the development of our service proposition
• Support key externally facing projects including:
  • Thought leadership initiatives
  • Strategic third-party relationships, including our presence at the Rio Convention COPs
  • Development of client-facing projects related to our service proposition
• Support development of strategic internal-facing projects to harness data and deliver business strategy objectives
• Providing Secretariat support to our Sustainability Steering Committee

We are seeking enthusiastic, versatile and talented individuals who want to be on the leading edge of the sustainability transition for how the legal sector supports our clients and to help shape this recently expanded function.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Lead the firm's approach to measuring and reporting sustainability-related work, building relationships across the firm to continuously enhance the firm's methodology, identify and analyse sustainability activity and communicate the value of sustainability work
• Develop management information, dashboards and reporting for senior leadership, the Executive and colleagues, translating complex data into clear insights that support strategic decision making
• Develop innovative and actionable ways to communicate sustainability developments and the team’s work, helping colleagues understand the commercial relevance of sustainability, its implications for clients and the firm’s strategic response
• Lead the design, development and continuous improvement of the firm's sustainability learning programme, including creating engaging training materials, delivering workshops and identifying new opportunities to build capability
• Work with lawyers and business teams to ensure sustainability learning remains commercially relevant, practical and aligned to evolving client priorities and market developments
• Provide governance and secretariat support for the Sustainability Steering Committee (SteerCo), including coordinating meetings, preparing papers and agendas, tracking actions and supporting the effective delivery of the Committee's objectives
• Support the Head of Sustainability in delivering strategic priorities and initiatives, contributing to the continued development of the firm's sustainability offering.

About you

• 4-5 years' relevant professional experience, ideally in sustainability, strategy, policy, learning, communications or a related field
• Understanding of the wider sustainability and ESG policy landscape, including familiarity with global sustainability frameworks
• Demonstrated ability to analyse complex qualitative and quantitative information, identify emerging trends and translate insights into a commercial context
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to translate complex issues into clear, engaging and accessible content for a range of audiences in a way that drives engagement and action
• Experience designing and delivering learning programmes, workshops or other capability-building initiatives for a range of audiences
• Ability to develop an understanding of how sustainability and ESG applies to the business of the law firm
• Proven experience working with senior stakeholders and building rapport across teams
• Significant experience in producing high quality presentations using PowerPoint with exceptional attention to detail
• Excellent written and oral communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills
• Strong track record of taking ownership for results and demonstrating a growth mindset and grace under pressure.

About us

We're a global law firm helping our clients achieve their goals wherever they do business. Our pursuit of innovation has transformed our delivery of legal services. With offices in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific, we deliver exceptional outcomes on cross-border projects, critical transactions and high-stakes disputes.

At DLA Piper, we understand that inclusion is not a one-size-fits-all concept. We embrace and celebrate the range of perspectives, backgrounds and experiences that each individual brings to our firm. By fostering a culture that welcomes and appreciates all aspects of our individuality, we ensure that everyone has the opportunity to succeed.

Our commitment to inclusion and positive social impact enables us to provide exceptional service to our clients and communities, while nurturing a unique and inclusive culture for all our people. We welcome the unique contribution that you will bring to our firm and actively encourage applications from all talented people – however your talent is packaged, whatever your background or circumstance and regardless of how you identify.

Where local legislation permits, we will conduct relevant pre-engagement screening checks prior to your first day.

Agile Working

We recognise that people have responsibilities and interests outside of their career and that as a business, we all benefit from working flexibly. That’s why we are open to discussing with candidates the different ways in which we are able to support requests for agile working arrangements.

Pre-Engagement Screening

In the event that we make an offer to you, and where local legislation permits, we will conduct pre-engagement screening checks that may include but are not limited to your professional and academic qualifications, your eligibility to work in the relevant jurisdiction, any criminal records, your financial stability, and references from previous employers.

Our hiring approach

Our hiring approach enables us to learn about the professional and person you are, and gives you the opportunity to learn about us. Your recruitment experience can differ depending on the type of role you are interviewing for. You will always meet your direct Line Manager for your role, as well as peers and close collaborators for the position. For some of our roles we may also use assessment tools, practical exercises, and panel presentations. Your Recruitment Business Partner will inform you of the recruitment process at the start of any recruitment process, but please let us know if you have any questions prior to making an application.

We’re redefining what an international law firm can be. With a unique global network and an unparalleled range of expertise, this is where you’ll work on the cases that shape the world and will define your career.

Staying in touch with like-minded people is important to us.Our Talent Community provides unique access to our firm so you can discover why we are a different kind of law firm.

We pride ourselves on the extraordinary impact we make beyond the borders of traditional law. That’s only possible because of the skills our business professionals bring and the environment we create to let them thrive. See where your skills could take you.