--- title: Head of Sustainability canonical: https://csrjobs.club/jobs/avove-utilities-head-of-sustainability-yghu locale: en description: Avove Utilities is hiring a Head of Sustainability on CSR Jobs. Discover this in-house sustainability role and apply today. updated: 2026-09-24 company: Avove Utilities country: United Kingdom contract: Full time seniority: Senior missions: Strategic planning, ESG reporting, Corporate Carbon Footprint, Purchasing, Stakeholders engagement job_type: Sustainability Manager, Chief Sustainability Officer posted: 2026-09-24 valid_through: 2026-11-24 apply: https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/4471496997 source: CSR Jobs --- # Head of Sustainability As the Head of Sustainability, you will take full ownership of the environmental and social agenda for a rapidly expanding utilities infrastructure partner. This leadership role involves translating high-level strategy into operational reality across the entire project lifecycle, from initial design and procurement to site delivery. You will be the primary architect of the company’s net-zero pathway, ensuring that every infrastructure project contributes to a more resilient and efficient utility network. This position is vital because it bridges the gap between complex engineering and essential environmental stewardship. By embedding **science-based targets** into critical water and power networks, you directly influence the ecological health of communities and the resilience of national infrastructure. It is a rare chance to steer a business that has recently doubled in size, ensuring that its rapid growth is fundamentally decoupled from its carbon footprint. This suits someone who is a commercially minded sustainability expert with a background in construction or utilities. You should be comfortable navigating both the boardroom and the project site to drive measurable impact. ## Job FAQs ### What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role? The primary mission is to **lead, develop, and deliver** a comprehensive sustainability strategy that aligns with the company's rapid growth. You will be responsible for overseeing the science-based net-zero pathway, covering Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions, while ensuring that environmental impact and social value are integrated into every project phase. Beyond strategy, you will own the **governance and reporting** mechanisms that provide transparency to the Board, investors, and clients. This includes verifying outcomes in carbon reduction, biodiversity, and resource efficiency to support commercial bids and framework renewals, ensuring that sustainability becomes a competitive advantage for the business. ### Key learning opportunities for this job This role offers significant exposure to **private equity-backed ESG frameworks**, providing a deep understanding of how sustainability metrics influence investment and corporate value. You will likely gain advanced expertise in science-based target setting and the complexities of managing Scope 3 emissions within a heavy infrastructure supply chain. Additionally, the position provides a unique opportunity to learn how to apply **circular economy principles** to large-scale utility engineering. You will be at the forefront of innovating sustainable design and procurement practices that are currently transforming the UK’s water and power sectors. ### How does the ideal candidate look like (experience, skills)? The ideal candidate is a **technically proficient leader** with a proven track record in a project-based operational environment such as construction, utilities, or engineering. You must possess deep knowledge of carbon management, social value, and ESG reporting standards, combined with the commercial acumen to see how these factors drive business growth. Soft skills are equally important, as you need to be a **persuasive communicator** capable of challenging senior executives and operational teams alike. The ability to translate complex data into actionable insights for diverse audiences, from site managers to external investors, is essential for success in this high-visibility role. ### Advice to stand out and make a successful application To stand out, move beyond theoretical sustainability and focus your application on **measurable operational outcomes** you have achieved in previous infrastructure or industrial roles. Demonstrate how you have successfully influenced procurement or design teams to adopt greener practices without compromising commercial viability. Research Avove’s major clients like United Utilities or Scottish Power and show an understanding of their specific environmental requirements. Highlighting your experience with **science-based targets (SBTi)** and your ability to manage multi-tier supply chain data will make your profile particularly compelling to the hiring team. ### What aspects of the company's sustainability is this role likely to focus on? The focus is heavily weighted toward **decarbonization and climate resilience**, specifically through the delivery of a net-zero roadmap across diverse utility projects. You will also concentrate on improving social value and local community impact, ensuring the infrastructure built leaves a positive legacy. Environmental protection is another core pillar, where you will lead initiatives related to **pollution prevention and biodiversity gain**. This role ensures that the company’s engineering solutions for water and power sectors meet the highest standards of resource efficiency and whole-life environmental value. ### What are the main challenges someone in this role might face? One of the main challenges will be **embedding sustainability into the operational culture** of a fast-growing business where speed and delivery are often prioritized. You may face resistance when shifting long-standing procurement habits or design standards to meet more rigorous environmental criteria. Another challenge lies in the **complexity of Scope 3 data collection** across a varied supply chain. Ensuring accuracy and consistency in reporting to satisfy both high-level investors and technically demanding utility clients will require significant persistence and analytical rigor. ### How could a typical day look like for someone in this position? A typical day might begin with a review of **carbon performance data** for an ongoing water infrastructure project, followed by a meeting with the procurement team to vet new sustainable suppliers. You could spend the afternoon presenting a progress report on net-zero milestones to the Executive Committee or an investor group. You will likely spend time **mentoring project managers** on how to integrate social value into their specific site operations. The day often concludes with strategic planning, perhaps refining a bid proposal to ensure the company’s sustainability credentials are front and center for a major utility framework renewal. ### What are the opportunities for professional growth and development in this role? Given the company’s rapid expansion and H.I.G. Capital's backing, there is a clear path toward **executive leadership** within the ESG space. You will have the platform to build out a dedicated sustainability team as the department grows to match the company's increasing scale. Participation in **high-visibility industry forums** and working groups will also improve your professional profile as a thought leader in sustainable infrastructure. The role provides the autonomy to shape the company's long-term sustainability vision, offering a level of influence rarely found in more established, static organizations. ### The main stakeholders you might be interacting with Internal stakeholders include the **Executive Committee and Board of Directors**, who rely on your reporting for strategic governance, as well as operational project teams who require your guidance for site-level execution. You will also work closely with the procurement and bid teams to drive commercial success. External interactions will involve **utility clients and investors**, where you will act as the face of the company’s ESG commitments. Engaging with local communities and environmental regulators is also a key component, ensuring that infrastructure projects maintain a strong social license to operate. --- Source: https://csrjobs.club/jobs/avove-utilities-head-of-sustainability-yghu