Senior Manager Sustainability & Assurance

Robert Walters UK; Leeds; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial institution is seeking a Sustainability Manager to drive impactful sustainability initiatives. The role involves strategic decision-making, stakeholder engagement, and developing frameworks for responsible business practices. Candidates should have management experience in sustainability, strong communication skills, and a keen understanding of regulatory frameworks. This position is based in Leeds, offering a unique opportunity to make a positive impact within the organization.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a management role within sustainability consulting or advisory services.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement skills with a track record of building productive relationships.
• In-depth understanding of external standards relevant to UK-based businesses.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with business units to align sustainability initiatives with organizational strategy.
• Provide insights into internal processes to enhance frameworks related to sustainability.
• Engage with stakeholders at all levels to promote understanding of sustainability goals.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Regulatory navigation

Communication

Framework development

Detail-oriented

Job description

Overview

Location: Leeds, Bristol, Edinburgh

This is a rare and exciting opportunity for you to join a leading financial institution as a Sustainability Manager, where your expertise will directly shape the future of responsible business. You will be at the heart of a dedicated team, driving sustainability initiatives that make a real difference to communities and the environment.

What you'll do:

As a Sustainability Manager, you will immerse yourself in a varied role that places you at the centre of strategic decision-making on sustainability matters. Your day-to-day work will involve collaborating with colleagues from across departments to ensure that all initiatives reflect the latest industry standards while supporting broader business objectives. You will be instrumental in developing robust processes for materiality assessment, crafting clear communications for external audiences, and providing valuable oversight for executive committees focused on sustainable business practices. By building strong relationships internally and externally, you will help foster an environment where responsible growth is prioritised. Your ability to interpret complex regulations and translate them into actionable plans will be crucial as you support teams in embedding sustainable thinking into their daily operations. This is an opportunity not only to apply your technical knowledge but also to inspire others towards shared goals.

• Collaborate closely with various business units to ensure all sustainability initiatives align seamlessly with the overarching organisational strategy.
• Craft compelling narratives and position statements on sustainability performance for external reporting, working alongside key internal partners to ensure clarity and transparency.
• Support the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of materiality processes that adhere to internationally recognised standards.
• Provide expert insights into internal processes by enhancing frameworks, policies, and operational efficiencies related to sustainability.
• Oversee executive-level sustainability committee activities by ensuring effective organisation of meetings, preparation of high-quality papers, and smooth committee processes.
• Champion responsible, balanced, and inclusive business practices throughout the organisation by supporting the embedding of core sustainability principles.
• Engage regularly with stakeholders at all levels to foster strong relationships and promote shared understanding of sustainability goals.
• Monitor emerging trends in ESG risk management and reporting requirements to keep the organisation ahead of regulatory changes.
• Facilitate training sessions or workshops to build awareness and capability around sustainability issues within different teams.
• Contribute to cross-functional projects that advance the organisation's long-term environmental and social objectives.

What you bring:

To excel as a Sustainability Manager in this forward-thinking organisation, you will bring substantial experience from previous roles focused on advancing sustainable business practices—whether through consulting engagements or direct involvement within corporate settings. Your background should include hands-on responsibility for designing frameworks that meet rigorous external standards while being practical enough for everyday use. You are adept at navigating complex regulatory landscapes and translating evolving requirements into clear guidance for colleagues at all levels. Your interpersonal skills enable you to connect meaningfully with stakeholders from diverse backgrounds; you listen actively and communicate thoughtfully so everyone feels included in the journey towards greater responsibility. A keen eye for detail ensures your work meets exacting presentation standards while your collaborative spirit helps unite teams behind common goals. Above all else, your passion for making a positive impact shines through everything you do.

• Proven experience in a management role within sustainability consulting or advisory services, corporate sustainability functions, assurance roles or ESG risk management environments.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement comprehensive frameworks and controls for managing sustainability programmes effectively within large organisations.
• In-depth understanding of external standards such as ISSB, CSRD, CSDDD, SASB, The Equator Principles, Principles for Responsible Banking, UNGPs or similar frameworks relevant to UK-based businesses.
• A solid grasp of how contemporary sustainability issues impact business operations—ideally gained within the financial sector or similarly regulated industries.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement skills with a track record of building productive relationships across diverse groups both internally and externally.
• Excellent communication abilities including preparing high-quality presentations and reports that distil complex information into accessible formats; meticulous attention to detail is essential.
• Experience supporting or overseeing executive-level committees or governance structures related to sustainability topics.
• Familiarity with leading external bodies such as UNGC, IFRS Foundation, WEF, EU EFRAG or UNEP-FI; established relationships with these organisations would be advantageous but not essential.
• A collaborative approach combined with empathy for different perspectives ensures successful teamwork on cross-functional projects.
• Commitment to upholding high ethical standards while promoting inclusive business practices throughout all activities.