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Head of Purpose and Sustainability

Apex Group Ltd United Kingdom Added on Jun 25, 2026
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This global leadership role dual-tracks the strategic corporate sustainability agenda of the firm and the marketing-led philanthropic initiatives of its corporate foundation. Reporting to the Chief Marketing Officer, you will drive impactful storytelling and deliver on the corporate responsibility strategy across local and global boards.

Operating within a massive financial services ecosystem, you will guide how the firm addresses its own operational footprint, advances institutional diversity programs, and scales its philanthropic outreach. It offers a rare chance to shape a major financial player’s external narrative and internal purpose, transforming high-level ESG metrics into powerful corporate commitments.

This suits someone who brings over eight years of experience combining robust sustainability reporting knowledge with creative, high-impact marketing and stakeholder management skills.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The successful candidate will dual-track the corporate sustainability agenda and the external profile of the Apex Foundation. This includes leading the marketing and communications strategy for the foundation, building its identity through storytelling, and strengthening engagement across global audiences. You will also manage the annual corporate reporting cycles, including ESG health checks and carbon footprint reporting. Additionally, the role entails leading the internal Women's Accelerator program and strengthening the Equity, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EEDI) Council.

Key learning opportunities for this job

This position offers significant exposure to global corporate sustainability frameworks within the highly regulated financial services sector. By overseeing annual ESG health checks and carbon assessments, the candidate will deepen their technical knowledge of corporate governance and investor compliance. Working alongside executive leadership provides a valuable opportunity to refine executive presence and strategic negotiation skills. You will also develop deep insights into running an international philanthropic entity, matching non-profit impact models with corporate business priorities.

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

The ideal candidate brings at least eight years of experience across corporate foundations, purpose-led sustainability initiatives, or strategic marketing. You should have a proven track record of creating high-quality written content and a good general understanding of modern ESG frameworks. Strong leadership capabilities are essential, specifically around managing cross-functional teams across multiple international locations. A background in business, communications, or marketing is preferred, combined with an innovative mindset that easily adapts to digital tools.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, your application should highlight a balanced portfolio of technical ESG reporting and creative storytelling. Provide explicit examples where your communication strategies have driven tangible engagement or increased participation inside a corporate foundation or community program. Since this role involves board-level presentations, structure your resume to emphasize executive stakeholder management. Tailor your cover letter to reflect an analytical yet highly passionate approach to driving social impact within complex financial environments.

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

The sustainability focus of this role splits between operational ESG reporting and community engagement. You will manage the group's corporate carbon footprint reporting and compliance requests from investors, which requires rigorous attention to data transparency. On the social side, a huge emphasis is placed on diversity and inclusion. You will sit on the EEDI Council and actively drive the Women's Accelerator program, embedding equitable practices directly into the company culture and public identity.

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

A primary challenge will be balancing dual responsibilities between the marketing needs of the foundation and the technical compliance requirements of corporate sustainability. Navigating a vast company of over thirteen thousand employees across various offices means alignment can be difficult. You may also face complexity when trying to embed purpose-led frameworks into traditional financial workflows. Ensuring consistent standard-driven data collection for global ESG health checks across various jurisdictions will require tenacity and highly developed diplomatic skills.

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

A typical day might begin with a review of upcoming marketing campaigns or checking project milestones with the Executive Chairman of the Foundation to align on promotional outreach. Late morning could involve a cross-functional alignment call with HR. Afternoons are often spent analyzing carbon footprint metrics or drafting narrative updates for the annual Sustainability Report. You will likely end the day in a mentoring session with your localized team members or preparing high-level briefing decks for global board members.

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

This role offers high visibility due to regular engagement with local boards, the CMO, and the overarching executive committee. Excelling here can position you for top-tier executive ESG leadership roles or corporate affairs director positions. As the company continues its rapid growth, you will have the opportunity to build out a larger global team. Successfully expanding the reach of the Apex Foundation can also establish your reputation as a prominent thought leader in high-impact corporate philanthropy.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will interact extensively with internal and external parties, reporting directly to the Chief Marketing Officer and collaborating with the Executive Chairman of the Apex Foundation. Continuous communication with HR and Risk teams is expected. Externally, your stakeholders will include non-profit partners, local communities, global clients, and institutional investors reviewing ESG data. You will also serve as an ambassador to external media and public forums, actively elevating the brand's global sustainability profile.

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