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Director - Social Sustainability

CWG United Kingdom Added on Jun 15, 2026
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This senior leadership position focuses on defining and delivering a robust social sustainability strategy for one of Europe’s largest urban regeneration projects. You will be the primary architect of social value, translating high-level ESG ambitions into concrete, measurable outcomes across development, construction, and operations. By owning the social strategy, you ensure that the massive scale of the company’s physical footprint translates into direct accountability and value for the surrounding community.

The role matters because it bridges the gap between large-scale real estate investment and true local impact, particularly in the Borough of Tower Hamlets. You will lead high-stakes programs in employment, education, and placemaking, ensuring that urban growth does not just happen next to communities, but actively includes them. This is a rare opportunity to steer the social legacy of an iconic London estate, transforming corporate purpose into tangible benefits like local spend initiatives and strategically valuable partnerships.

This suits someone who is a values-driven strategist with deep experience in place-based social impact and a talent for navigating complex stakeholder environments. You are likely an influential leader who thrives on turning abstract social goals into high-performing professional programs.

Preguntas frecuentes

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The Director is tasked with defining and evolving the organization’s Social Sustainability Strategy. This involves moving beyond high-level vision to establish clear delivery plans, measurable targets, and accountability frameworks that are deeply embedded across departments such as construction and supply chain management. You will oversee the development and reporting of S106 planning obligations and local spend initiatives, ensuring that every project contributes to the surrounding economy. Additionally, the role involves representing the company at high-profile ESG forums and managing a high-performing team dedicated to community engagement and education programs.

Key learning opportunities for this job

In this role, you will gain unparalleled exposure to large-scale urban regeneration dynamics and the intricacies of section 106 legal agreements. Working at the intersection of real estate and social policy provides a unique vantage point on how corporate capital can solve systemic urban challenges like unemployment and education gaps. You will also sharpen your expertise in ESG governance and disclosure, specifically within the 'Social' pillar. Given Canary Wharf Group's scale, you will learn how to implement sophisticated impact-measurement frameworks that satisfy both institutional investors and local government authorities.

How does the ideal candidate look like (experience, skills)?

The ideal candidate is a senior leader with a proven track record of embedding social value strategies within large, complex organizations, preferably in real estate or infrastructure. You should possess deep knowledge of place-based social impact and have experience managing diverse stakeholders, from local council leaders to executive boards. Strong communication and influencing skills are essential, as you will need to translate technical social impact data into persuasive narratives for non-technical audiences. A background in leading inclusive teams and a commitment to data-driven reporting will make you stand out.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

Focus your application on specific examples where you have successfully scaled social programs from concept to measurable outcome. Highlighting your experience with the Borough of Tower Hamlets or similar urban contexts will demonstrate the local sensitivity required for this specific estate. Since this role reports to the Managing Director of ESG, ensure you demonstrate a holistic understanding of how Social goals align with Environmental and Governance frameworks. Showing that you can speak the language of 'business value' while maintaining a 'mission-driven' perspective is key to demonstrating your directorial readiness.

What aspects of the company's sustainability is this role likely to focus on?

The role focuses intensely on the 'S' in ESG, specifically through the lens of community resilience and economic inclusion. This includes optimizing the local supply chain, enhancing the award-winning arts and events program, and ensuring that construction activities create jobs for local residents. You will also focus on ESG reporting and transparency, ensuring that the company’s social performance is credible and verified. This involves linking social outcomes to the broader corporate mission of creating a sustainable 24/7 city where people can thrive.

What are the main challenges someone in this role might face?

One of the primary challenges is embedding accountability across various business units that may have competing priorities. You will need to convince development and construction teams that social outcomes are just as critical as project timelines and budgets. Additionally, navigating the evolving regulatory landscape and managing high expectations from local community advocates can be demanding. Balancing the commercial requirements of a major developer with the philanthropic and social needs of an urban borough requires constant diplomacy and strategic foresight.

How could a typical day look like for someone in this position?

A typical day might involve a morning briefing with the construction team to review local employment targets, followed by a strategic meeting with the MD of ESG to align on upcoming annual reporting disclosures. You might spend the afternoon meeting with local authority representatives to discuss ongoing community investment projects. Your day could also include internal leadership coaching for your team, reviewing public consultation materials for a new planning application, or representing the group at an industry forum to share best practices in place-based social sustainability.

What are the opportunities for professional growth and development in this role?

This position offers significant executive visibility, placing you at the center of the group's ESG leadership team. Success in this role can lead to broader ESG oversight or senior executive roles in corporate affairs and strategy within the global real estate sector. Furthermore, the opportunity to lead high-visibility social partnerships and innovate in the field of impact measurement will establish you as a thought leader in the UK's sustainability landscape, opening doors to national-level advisory committees.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will frequently interact with internal senior leadership, including the MD of ESG and heads of development and construction. These interactions focus on aligning operational activities with social sustainability goals and ensuring corporate compliance. External stakeholders include local authorities like Tower Hamlets, community organizations, and industry bodies. You will also manage relationships with delivery partners and educational institutions to ensure that the employment and skills pipeline remains effective and impactful.

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