Sustainability Manager/Senior Sustainability Manager

Thakeham Group; Billingshurst; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative company is seeking a Sustainability Manager to lead its sustainability strategy in housebuilding operations. This role involves collaborating with senior leadership to implement sustainable practices, ensuring alignment with net zero and biodiversity goals. The successful candidate will manage sustainability performance tracking, engage stakeholders, and foster a culture of sustainability within the organization. With a commitment to creating amazing places to live and work, this forward-thinking firm offers excellent career opportunities and values diversity. Join a team that prioritizes sustainability and community development.

Benefits

Salary sacrifice car scheme

Annual holiday allowance

Life assurance

Private medical insurance

Health screening

Flexible working hours

Company social events

Qualifications

• 5+ years experience in sustainability within housebuilding or construction.
• Strong understanding of residential building regulations and sustainability standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation of sustainability strategy across new housing developments.
• Manage systems for tracking sustainability performance and prepare detailed reports.
• Collaborate with procurement teams to improve sustainability performance of supply chain.

Skills

Sustainability Management

Environmental Management

Project Management

Communication Skills

Analytical Skills

Education

Degree in Sustainability

Degree in Environmental Management

Degree in Construction

Degree in Engineering

Degree in Architecture

Job description

Sustainability Manager/Senior Sustainability Manager

Role Type

Permanent, full time

Job Location

Reports To

Chief Development Officer

The company

From day one, Thakeham has been driven by a clear vision: to transform the way people think about new-built developments.

Over 20 years later, that ethos is still very much alive, reflected in our numerous awards and reputation in the sector. Today, Thakeham employs close to 250 people and has a forecasted revenue of £199 million in 2024/25.

An infrastructure-led community creator and strategic land promoter, Thakeham is committed to partnerships, innovation and creating amazing places to live and work. We are industry-leading in sustainability and biodiversity. We were one of the first to introduce Zero Bills homes in partnership with Octopus Energy.

We pride ourselves on our ‘Infrastructure first’ approach, ensuring communities release the benefits of new development at the outset, rather than later in the process. We deliver social, affordable and retirement housing for a wide range of housing associations and local authorities.

People are Thakeham’s most important asset, and this is reflected in the way we operate. We are proud to be listed in the Top 100 Best Large Companies to Work For 2024.

Our people enjoy excellent rewards and working conditions in an exciting and growing business. We offer exciting career opportunities, and are keen to develop, guide and support our employees, regardless of what stage they are in their careers.

We value diversity and encourage people to bring their full authentic selves to work. A Gold Armed Forces Covenant signatory and supporter of armed force’s charity Building Heroes, Thakeham operates a Talent for Development outreach campaign for military veterans and college leavers.

Work and fun should not be mutually exclusive and Thakeham offers a range of social events such as quiz nights, BBQs and all staff parties. We run informal lunch and learns and take on charity challenges such as the Housebuilder Challenge. We encourage people to volunteer in their communities, offering two paid days per year to do so. Where roles allow, our summer hours policy in June, July and August allows people to enjoy longer weekends with their loved ones. A flexible approach to working is available all year round.

At Thakeham we build communities, together.

The department

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Sustainability Manager/Senior Sustainability Manager to lead and drive our sustainability strategy across our housebuilding operations.

You will work closely with senior leadership and operational teams to implement sustainability initiatives and drive the transition to greener building practices. You’ll work across pre development, design, construction, and supply chain functions to embed sustainability into every stage of our development process.

The role

The successful candidate will

• Lead the implementation of the company’s sustainability strategy across new housing developments, ensuring alignment with net zero and biodiversity goals
• Support the departments in creating sustainable developments, integrating best practices when it comes to the homes and the resilience of the sustainable communities
• Manage systems for tracking sustainability performance across the organisation, including resource consumption, waste reduction, Scope 1, 2, and 3 carbon emissions, water usage and other sustainability KPI’s. Prepare detailed sustainability reports for senior management, stakeholders, regulatory and other reporting bodies
• Collaborate with procurement teams to assess and improve the sustainability performance of our supply chain and building materials
• Drive forward biodiversity, ecology, and green infrastructure enhancements in line with local and national planning policies
• Stay up to date with the latest trends in sustainable construction, renewal energy technologies and sustainable building materials
• Support sustainability innovation and trials of new technologies, materials, or construction methods to enhance environmental performance
• Prepare sustainability reports for internal and external stakeholders, including clients, investors, and regulators
• Engage and train staff across the business on sustainability issues, helping foster a sustainability-first culture
• Represent the business in industry working groups, lead team members or consultants, and contribute to board-level sustainability planning

This list is not exhaustive. Tasks will be allocated to reflect increasing levels of development and experience.

The required skills

• Degree in Sustainability, Environmental Management, Construction, Engineering, Architecture, or related discipline
• 5yrs+ experience in sustainability within housebuilding, construction, or the built environment
• Strong understanding of residential building regulations, planning frameworks, and sustainability standards (e.g., Future Homes Standard, BREEAM, Passivhaus, LETI, NHBC)
• Strong understanding of net zero carbon strategies, biodiversity net gain, and the sustainability assessments within planning applications
• Ability to influence and collaborate with diverse stakeholders — from technical teams and contractors to local authorities and communities
• Strong project management, analytical, and communication skills
• Passionate about sustainable construction and making a tangible impact in the housing sector

Desirable to have

• Membership in professional sustainability or environmental organisations (e.g., SocEnv, IEMA, etc.)
• Knowledge of water neutrality, SUDs, placemaking, and design codes
• Understanding of environmental impact reduction strategies related to construction

The benefits

• Salary sacrifice car scheme
• Annual holiday allowance 26 days increasing to 27 after 3yrs service and 28 after 5yrs service (plus bank holidays)
• Life assurance
• Private medical insurance
• Health screening
• Flexible working hours in a modern office environment / Working from Home Policy
• Excellent development and progression opportunities for the right candidate
• Company Social events

Plus a whole range of other employee benefits that we can tell you all about, our employees are rewarded for their performance, attitude and results.

#happytotalkflexibleworking

We are committed to providing equal opportunities in employment and treating people fairly. We will treat all job applicants and employees equally regardless of age, race, religious belief, colour, ethnic or national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation or disability. We welcome applicants from all sectors of society and we are committed to promoting an inclusive environment for all.