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Manager, Sustainability

American Tower • Germany • Added on Jul 28, 2026
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As a Manager at American Tower, you will bridge the gap between global sustainability strategy and local operational reality. You are tasked with managing complex projects that touch upon stakeholder engagement, supply chain integrity, and environmental efficiency. This is a collaborative role where you will support the business in translating ESG objectives into measurable outcomes across various markets.

At a time when digital connectivity is a vital social utility, your work ensures that the infrastructure supporting our digital lives grows responsibly. You will specifically influence how this telecommunications giant manages energy consumption and vendor compliance, directly contributing to the decarbonization of digital networks. This role is pivotal for aligning corporate growth with community investment and resource efficiency.

This suits someone who possesses a strong background in environmental matters and thrives in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment. You should be an exceptional communicator capable of engaging both technical operations teams and executive management on complex sustainability topics.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The core mission involves orchestrating stakeholder engagement strategies to align business operations with sustainability goals. You will act as a key liaison between internal functions and external entities, including customers and government bodies, to ensure that the company’s ESG priorities are clearly communicated and integrated into commercial discussions. From a technical standpoint, you are responsible for monitoring supply chain compliance. This includes enforcing the Vendor Code of Conduct and conducting site audits to ensure that the material and energy used in digital infrastructure meet high environmental standards. You will also lead multifaceted projects that focus on energy efficiency and the adoption of green technologies. Furthermore, the role entails assisting with community investment initiatives. By partnering with Public Affairs and local teams, you will help design programs that create shared value, ensuring that the expansion of connectivity also fosters local economic development and digital inclusion.

Key learning opportunities for this job

You will gain deep expertise in global digital infrastructure sustainability. Working for one of the largest REITs in the world provides a unique perspective on how large-scale real estate assets can be managed to reduce carbon footprints and improve resource circularity. There is also a significant opportunity to learn about regulatory tracking and policy advocacy. By assisting with the benchmarking of industry associations and government initiatives, you will develop a sophisticated understanding of how the evolving ESG legislative landscape in Europe and beyond impacts the telecommunications sector. Additionally, you will hone your supply chain management skills within a complex, global context. Implementing sustainability standards across diverse markets and diverse vendors will provide practical experience in risk mitigation and impact reporting within a multi-national corporate framework.

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

The ideal candidate brings at least six years of experience in sustainability or environmental management. A strong academic foundation, typically a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, is required to navigate the technical and strategic requirements of the role. Technical proficiency must be matched by superior communication and interpersonal skills. Because this role requires interacting with local communities, government entities, and senior leadership, the ability to translate complex sustainability data into compelling narratives is essential for success. Finally, a successful applicant will demonstrate strong project management capabilities. Managing multiple projects simultaneously across different regions requires high levels of organization, the ability to work independently, and a results-oriented mindset that prioritizes measurable sustainability outcomes.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, highlight your history of managing multi-stakeholder relationships. Providing specific examples of how you have successfully navigated conflicting priorities between commercial objectives and environmental goals will demonstrate the executive presence American Tower is looking for. Showcase your familiarity with energy efficiency and supply chain auditing. Since the role involves working with operations teams to drive resource savings, any experience you have with technical site audits or implementing green technologies within the telecommunications or real estate sectors will be highly valued. Lastly, ensure your application reflects an understanding of digital infrastructure's role in society. Aligning your personal values with the company's mission of 'Building a More Connected World' shows that you are motivated by the broader social impact of connectivity as well as technical ESG compliance.

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

This role sits at the intersection of environmental efficiency and social responsibility. A major focus will be on the 'E' in ESG, particularly regarding energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions associated with tower operations and digital hardware. Social impact is equally emphasized through community engagement and digital inclusion. You will likely work on projects that ensure American Tower’s presence benefits the local populations where their infrastructure is located, balancing business growth with local development needs. From a governance perspective, the focus will be on supply chain transparency. Ensuring that every vendor adheres to the company's ethical and environmental standards is a critical defensive and proactive sustainability measure for this role.

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

One significant challenge will be standardizing sustainability data collection across diverse international markets. Ensuring accuracy and consistency in reporting while working through different local regulatory environments and operational practices requires meticulous attention to detail. Another obstacle is balancing rapid infrastructure expansion with carbon reduction targets. As connectivity needs grow, managing the resulting increase in energy demand through innovative efficiency measures and green materials is a complex technical and strategic puzzle. Lastly, you may face stakeholder management complexities. Navigating the diverse expectations of investors, government regulators, and local communities requires high emotional intelligence and the ability to find common ground in sensitive commercial or regulatory negotiations.

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

A typical day might begin with a global sustainability team meeting to synchronize on ongoing initiatives across different regions. This is followed by a session with the Supply Chain department to review the results of recent vendor audits or to coordinate upcoming training sessions for site contractors. In the afternoon, you might switch to a commercial or public affairs focus, perhaps preparing a presentation for a government body or participating in a negotiation where a customer requires specific ESG performance data to move forward with a contract. Your day could conclude with analytical research into new energy-efficient technologies. You might evaluate a proposal from an external consultant or NGO regarding a community investment project, ensuring the initiative aligns with both the company’s core business and its long-term sustainability strategy.

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

There are robust opportunities for global career progression within American Tower's large international network. Success in this Munich-based role could lead to more senior regional or global leadership positions within the Sustainability or Public Affairs departments. Exposure to high-level executive decision-making provides a platform for those looking to move into strategic management roles. By working closely with senior leadership on ESG priorities, you will develop the 'executive presence' necessary for directorship-level opportunities. Furthermore, the role allows you to become a subject matter expert in sustainable infrastructure. As the telecommunications industry increasingly prioritizes green 5G and low-carbon networks, your specialized knowledge will be in high demand both within the company and the broader tech sector.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will frequently interact with internal business functions, particularly Operations, Legal, and Public Affairs, to ensure sustainability is woven into the fabric of the company’s daily activities. External engagement is also heavy, involving customers and industry associations. Representing American Tower’s sustainability position to key clients and participating in industry-wide working groups will be a regular part of your schedule. Finally, you will manage relationships with external consultants and NGOs. These partners provide the specialized expertise or local ground-level support needed to execute the company's environmental and social investment programs effectively.

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