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Decarbonisation Manager

James Fisher and Sons plc • United Kingdom • Added on Aug 13, 2026
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As the Decarbonisation Manager, you will serve as the primary architect of the division’s transition to a low-carbon future. You will take full ownership of the greenhouse gas inventory and the strategic roadmap required to meet ambitious reduction targets. This involves coordinating carbon reduction initiatives across engineering and finance, while ensuring that the technical reality of vessel operations aligns with evolving international maritime regulations.

This role is critical because the maritime sector faces some of the most complex decarbonisation hurdles in the global economy. By working at the intersection of fuel innovation and operational efficiency, you will directly influence the environmental footprint of global supply chains. Your work ensures that maritime innovation translates into measurable climate action, moving the industry beyond traditional fossil fuel reliance toward sustainable energy production.

This suits someone who possesses a strong engineering or environmental background and thrives on transforming complex emissions data into actionable business cases. You should be a collaborative influencer capable of navigating technical maritime standards and corporate ESG requirements with equal ease.

Preguntas frecuentes

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The core of this role involves developing and maintaining a robust decarbonisation pathway that aligns with the Group’s overarching greenhouse gas reduction targets. You will be responsible for the integrity of the Division’s emissions data, providing the analytical insights necessary to monitor progress and adjust strategies as needed. Beyond data management, you will actively coordinate carbon reduction initiatives by collaborating with engineering and innovation teams. This includes developing business cases for new technologies and alternative fuels, ensuring that every sustainability project is backed by a solid financial and operational rationale to drive real change across the fleet.

Key learning opportunities for this job

You will gain deep expertise in the highly specialized field of maritime decarbonisation regulations, including firsthand experience with EU ETS, UK ETS, and FuelEU Maritime standards. This is an evolving legislative landscape, offering a front-row seat to how global policy shifts dictate industrial operations. Additionally, the role provides exposure to cutting-edge marine technologies, from alternative fuel transitions to innovative vessel energy efficiency systems. You will likely develop a sophisticated understanding of Well-to-Wake carbon accounting and the practicalities of implementing sustainability within heavy engineering and global shipping environments.

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

The ideal candidate holds a degree in Engineering, Environmental Science, or a related field, supplemented by a strong track record in the maritime transport sector. You need to be comfortable handling complex technical data and translating it into strategic insights that senior leadership can use for investment decisions. Soft skills are just as vital as technical knowledge. We are looking for an influential communicator who can build partnerships across disparate functions like Finance and Operations. Familiarity with the GHG Protocol and experience with vessel performance monitoring systems will significantly strengthen your profile.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, demonstrate your ability to bridge the gap between technical engineering and corporate strategy. Highlight specific instances where you have turned emissions data into a successful business case or led a cross-functional project that resulted in measurable carbon savings. Research the specific challenges of the maritime industry, such as the CII and SEEMP regulations, and mention how your experience directly addresses these compliance hurdles. Show an understanding of James Fisher’s position as a 'Blue Economy' leader to prove your alignment with their centuries-old heritage of marine innovation.

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

The role is primarily focused on environmental stewardship through the lens of climate change mitigation. You will spend most of your time on carbon accounting, energy efficiency, and the long-term transition to alternative fuels to reduce the division's Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. There is also a significant focus on governance and compliance, ensuring the business stays ahead of maritime-specific environmental laws. While the focus is technical, your work supports broader ESG reporting, helping the Group communicate its sustainability achievements and challenges to external stakeholders and investors.

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

One of the primary hurdles will be navigating the technical and financial constraints of the shipping industry, where vessel lifecycles are long and retrofitting technology is expensive. Balancing immediate operational demands with long-term decarbonisation goals requires significant resilience and strategic thinking. You may also face the challenge of data fragmentation across different business units. Consolidating various emissions sources into a single, robust inventory while keeping up with rapidly changing international regulations like FuelEU Maritime will require meticulous attention to detail and proactive risk management.

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

A typical day might begin with analyzing vessel performance data to identify outliers in fuel consumption, followed by a meeting with the Engineering team to discuss the feasibility of a new energy-saving technology. You will spend time translating these technical findings into a business case for the Finance department. In the afternoon, you might switch to a regulatory advisory role, interpreting a new legislative update for divisional leadership or preparing a progress report for the Group Sustainability office. Your day will likely conclude with stakeholder outreach, perhaps conducting an internal training session to educate staff on new sustainability KPIs.

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

This role offers high visibility, as you will be reporting on divisional achievements to Group-level executives and external parties. Success in this position could lead to broader leadership roles within the Group Sustainability function or strategic management positions within the Maritime Transport division. Given the critical nature of the energy transition in shipping, you will be positioned as a subject matter expert in a high-demand niche. This provides a strong platform for professional development, including potential opportunities to represent the company in industry-wide sustainability forums and working groups.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will interact daily with Operations and Engineering managers to oversee the implementation of decarbonisation projects on the ground. You will also work closely with the Finance team to secure investment for these initiatives and ensure alignment with the company’s financial planning. Externally, you will engage with Group Sustainability leads and potentially third-party auditors or regulatory bodies. Building a collaborative relationship with these stakeholders is essential for ensuring that the division's local efforts are recognized within the company's global ESG framework.

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