Senior Sustainability Manager

The primary mission of this role is to lead defined sustainability workstreams for major infrastructure programmes, ensuring that client goals are translated into actionable environmental and social strategies. This involves managing the development of comprehensive sustainability management systems and overseeing complex climate change advisory services to deliver high-impact consultancy.Key responsibilities include managing a team of sustainability managers and assistants, providing mentorship and performance oversight to ensure service excellence. You will also be tasked with bid support and work winning, where you will liaise with clients and participate in innovation to raise the company’s external profile in the sustainability arena.On a day-to-day basis, you will act as a senior technical lead, bridging the gap between high-level strategy and technical execution. This includes stakeholder engagement at a senior level to ensure that sustainability outcomes are integrated into the lifecycle of large-scale construction and consultancy projects.

Candidates will have the unique opportunity to gain expertise in large-scale infrastructure consultancy within a business that has recently undergone a major structural transition, offering insights into corporate carve-outs and private equity investment through the Goldman Sachs partnership. You will deepen your knowledge of UK environmental legislation and planning policy as applied to massive, complex sites.The role provides a platform to master carbon management and social value frameworks specifically tailored for the construction and consultancy sectors. Furthermore, you will enhance your leadership and people management skills by overseeing a specialized team, which is critical for moving into higher director-level positions within global consultancy firms.

The ideal candidate should possess extensive experience in sustainability management specifically within the major infrastructure sector. They must be highly skilled in developing sustainability strategies from scratch and translating them into technical management systems. A strong academic background is essential, typically degree-qualified with professional accreditations such as MISEP, CEnv, or ISEP Practitioner status.Soft skills are just as vital as technical prowess; the candidate must demonstrate superior stakeholder management capabilities. This involves the ability to navigate complex political and corporate landscapes and represent the programme at senior technical forums with confidence and authority.Finally, the ideal candidate has a commercially minded approach, with experience in bid support and growth initiatives. They should be able to articulate the value proposition of sustainability to diverse clients, showing how ESG goals align with project feasibility and long-term financial performance.

To stand out, you should explicitly showcase your experience with integrated infrastructure programmes rather than just isolated projects. Since Mace Consult is now backed by Goldman Sachs Alternatives, demonstrating an understanding of how sustainability drives long-term asset value and investment attractiveness could highly differentiate your application.When writing your cover letter, move beyond technical compliance and focus on your leadership philosophy and how you have successfully influenced senior stakeholders in high-pressure environments. Providing specific examples of innovation in social value or decarbonization that led to a successful bid or project award will be extremely valuable.Lastly, ensure you align your profile with the dual identity of Mace as both a consultant and a disruptor. Highlight your ability to work at the intersection of policy, strategy, and technical delivery, as the company seeks leaders who can not only advise but also implement change within the complex 'Mace Consult' framework.

Following the carve-out of Mace Consult, this role is likely to focus on Scope 3 emissions and supply chain decarbonization, which are critical for consultancy models. A significant focus will be placed on climate resilience for infrastructure, ensuring that the legacy of major projects meets future physical and transitional risk challenges.There will also be a heavy emphasis on Social Value, particularly in how major infrastructure projects benefit local communities. This includes job creation, skills development, and demonstrating tangible social outcomes that satisfy both UK government requirements and private investor expectations.Additionally, the role will likely address circular economy principles within the construction lifecycle. Given Mace's reputation for 'redefining boundaries,' you could be driving the implementation of innovative low-carbon materials and waste reduction strategies that set new industry benchmarks for environmental performance.

One major challenge could be navigating the organizational transition following the investment from Goldman Sachs, which may lead to new reporting structures, KPIs, and cultural shifts within the newly independent Mace Consult business.Managing complex stakeholder interests on infrastructure programmes is another hurdle, especially when balancing the conflicting priorities of clients, regulators, and environmental advocates. You might face resistance to sustainability-related costs or changes in traditional construction methodologies, requiring high-level negotiation skills to maintain momentum.Furthermore, keeping pace with evolving UK environmental legislation and the rapid development of global ESG standards will require constant vigilance. Ensuring that a team remains technically proficient while delivering under tight project deadlines and high client expectations will be an ongoing leadership challenge.

A typical day might begin with a strategic review meeting for a major infrastructure project, where you provide technical advice to project directors on meeting net-zero targets. This could be followed by a team catch-up, where you provide guidance to Assistant Sustainability Managers on delivering social value reports or environmental impact assessments.In the afternoon, your focus might shift to stakeholder engagement, potentially representing the programme at a technical forum or meeting with a client to discuss a new bid proposal. You could spend time reviewing evolving planning policies to ensure that current strategies remain compliant and competitive.The day might conclude with an innovation-focused session, brainstorming with the Responsible Business team on how to integrate emerging technologies into Mace's consultancy offering. The schedule is likely to be varied, alternating between high-level strategy and the granular details of sustainable project management.

This role offers a clear path toward Directorship or Global Head positions within the sustainability or consultancy divisions. The high visibility of the role on major infrastructure programmes provides the networking exposure needed to become a recognized industry leader in environmental management.Given the recent corporate restructuring, there may be opportunities to shape the sustainability agenda of a newly independent division, allowing for significant impact on how Mace Consult defines its market-leading position. This is an environment where intrapreneurship—proposing and leading new sustainability service lines—is likely encouraged.Additionally, the exposure to private equity-backed governance models provides a rare chance to learn how ESG performance is tracked and valued by top-tier global investors. Professional development is supported through ongoing accreditation and potential participation in high-level industry committees and technical working groups.

You will frequently interact with senior client leadership, acting as a trusted advisor on sustainability risks and opportunities for their infrastructure assets. Internally, you will collaborate closely with Project and Programme Directors to ensure sustainability is integrated into the operational delivery of consultancy services.Your role involves managing a dedicated Sustainability Team, requiring regular interaction with Junior and Mid-level Managers to drive performance. You will also engage with the Work Winning and Bidding teams to secure new business through sustainability-led value propositions.Externally, you will be a key point of contact for regulatory bodies and local authorities, ensuring project compliance with planning and environmental laws. You may also liaise with supply chain partners to drive innovation and ensure that the projects deliver on their social and environmental commitments.