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Environmental and Sustainability Manager

Ground Control • United Kingdom • Added on Jun 8, 2026
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As the Guardian of environmental performance at Ground Control, you will manage a broad portfolio spanning biodiversity initiatives, carbon reduction, and legislative compliance across UK and Ireland operations. This field-based hybrid role involves translating high-level strategy into operational guidance, ensuring every site maintenance project aligns with the company’s rigorous environmental management systems.

This position is vital because Ground Control is a B Corp aiming for Net Zero by 2038, and your work directly influences the biodiversity and ecological health of over 50,000 commercial properties. By integrating PAS 2080 standards and carbon reporting into daily maintenance and construction, you transform routine landscaping into high-impact climate action that helps clients meet their own sustainability goals.

This suits someone who is a hands-on technical expert with a PIEMA qualification and the communication skills to influence stakeholders in a fast-paced, multi-site operational environment. You should thrive on variety and be ready to champion environmental best practices from the office to the field.

Preguntas frecuentes

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The primary mission is to oversee the environmental and sustainability strategy, ensuring all operations align with ISO 14001 standards and UK environmental legislation. You will be the technical lead for biodiversity protection and sustainable land management projects across a diverse portfolio of commercial properties. Day-to-day responsibilities include managing carbon reduction plans specifically aligned to the PAS 2080 framework and supporting the company's ambitious Net Zero roadmap. You will also serve as a subject matter expert for client tenders, providing the environmental data and expertise needed to win high-impact contracts. Furthermore, you will lead environmental audits and inspections, translating complex regulatory requirements into practical guidance for field-based teams. This ensures that environmental excellence is not just a policy but a consistent reality across thousands of managed sites.

Key learning opportunities for this job

This role offers deep immersion into the B Corp ecosystem, providing a unique perspective on how a large-scale organization balances commercial growth with rigorous social and environmental accountability. You will gain hands-on experience in implementing sustainable land management at scale. You will specifically develop expertise in PAS 2080, the global standard for managing whole-life carbon in infrastructure. This is a highly sought-after skill in the environmental sector, particularly as it relates to construction and large-scale maintenance. Additionally, you will receive exposure to a wide variety of sectors, including rail, utilities, and infrastructure. This breadth of experience across different regulatory environments and client requirements will significantly broaden your technical and strategic repertoire within the sustainability field.

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

The successful candidate will likely hold a degree in Environmental Science or a related discipline and must possess, or be very close to achieving, a PIEMA qualification. A strong technical foundation in UK environmental law is essential for navigating the compliance aspects of the role. Beyond technical credentials, we are looking for an operational influencer. You must be comfortable moving between strategic planning and on-site implementation, with the ability to explain complex environmental concepts to diverse teams who may not have a sustainability background. Experience within high-stakes infrastructure sectors like rail or utilities is a significant advantage. This professional should be highly organized, capable of managing the reporting requirements for a B Corp while maintaining a presence in the field to ensure operational standards are met.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

Focus your application on your practical experience in translating sustainability strategy into field-level actions. Ground Control values 'hands-on' expertise, so provide specific examples where your interventions directly improved environmental compliance or reduced carbon outputs on a job site. Given the company’s focus on biodiversity and its B Corp status, tailor your cover letter to reflect an understanding of how external maintenance impacts local ecosystems. Showing familiarity with their Net Zero 2038 target and SBTi verification will demonstrate that you have done your homework and are aligned with their long-term vision. If you choose the optional video stage, use it to showcase your communication style. This role requires influencing stakeholders across various seniority levels and technical backgrounds, so demonstrating a clear, engaging, and professional manner will help you stand out.

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

The role is central to the company's Net Zero by 2038 commitment, focusing heavily on carbon reporting and the implementation of reduction strategies across the supply chain. You will be responsible for tracking environmental performance data to ensure the company remains on target. Biodiversity enhancement is another major pillar. Since Ground Control specializes in external maintenance, you will focus on how site-specific landscape designs and maintenance regimes can actively promote local flora and fauna, turning client properties into ecological assets. You will also manage the governance side of sustainability, ensuring ISO 14001 compliance and ethical land management. This involves rigorous auditing and the integration of sustainable materials and methods into the company’s broader service offerings, such as EV charging installations and arboriculture.

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

One of the primary challenges is maintaining consistency across 50,000 diverse commercial sites. Ensuring that environmental best practices are followed by every team, regardless of location or specific project type, requires constant vigilance and effective communication. As this is a maternity cover contract, you will need to hit the ground running. Navigating a large organization within a 12-month window while maintaining the momentum of existing sustainability initiatives and compliance cycles can be intense. Additionally, balancing operational efficiency with rigorous environmental standards can sometimes lead to friction. You will need to use your influence and technical knowledge to demonstrate the value of sustainable practices to operational teams who are often working under tight deadlines and budgets.

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

A typical day might begin with a hybrid check-in from your home office to review carbon reporting data or prepare technical documentation for a high-priority client tender. This requires a sharp eye for detail and the ability to synthesize environmental metrics into compelling narratives. By midday, you could be traveling to a field site to conduct an environmental audit or provide hands-on guidance to an operational team regarding protected species or water management. These site visits are crucial for ensuring that high-level policies are being translated into safe, compliant work practices. Your afternoon might involve stakeholder meetings on Teams to discuss the integration of PAS 2080 into new project workflows or collaborating with the HSQE team to update environmental management systems. The day is characterized by a mix of data analysis, site-level problem solving, and strategic coordination.

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

While this is a fixed-term contract, it offers high-level visibility across the entire business. Working at a senior level within the HSQE function of a B Corp provides a reputable entry on any sustainability professional's resume, demonstrating capability in a complex, multi-site environment. You will have the opportunity to lead high-profile projects related to carbon management and biodiversity that are central to the company's identity. Success in this role proves your ability to deliver tangible environmental results under the scrutiny of external verifiers like SBTi. Furthermore, the multi-sector exposure (rail, utilities, landscape construction) allows you to build a diverse professional network. This experience is excellent preparation for future leadership roles in sustainability consultancy, environmental management, or corporate ESG strategy.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will work most closely with the HSQE (Health, Safety, Quality, and Environment) team, ensuring that environmental management is seamlessly integrated with safety and quality protocols. This internal collaboration is the backbone of the company's operational excellence. On the operational side, you will interact frequently with Field Teams and Contract Managers. Your role here is one of support and influence, providing the training and guidance they need to execute their work in an environmentally responsible manner. External stakeholders include clients and regulatory bodies. You will represent Ground Control as a subject matter expert during audits and tender processes, building trust by demonstrating the company's deep commitment to its environmental and Net Zero targets.

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