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Senior Environmental Sustainability Advisor

BAM UK & Ireland • Ireland • Added on Oct 2, 2026
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As a Senior Environmental Sustainability Advisor, you will embed practical environmental standards across major civil engineering, construction, and facilities management projects in Ireland. You will guide operational site teams on regulatory compliance, lead ISO 14001 audits, manage risk assessments, and draft strong sustainability plans tailored to complex site environments.

Construction represents one of the most resource-intensive sectors, placing this role at the sharp edge of practical decarbonisation and circularity. By translating strategic climate adaptation, biodiversity protection, and sustainable building certifications like BREEAM or LEED into concrete on-site action, you directly reduce the operational footprint of vital infrastructure.

This suits someone who possesses solid field experience in Irish construction, understands environmental compliance thoroughly, and thrives on collaborating with site engineers to achieve measurable environmental results.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The core mission involves embedding strong environmental management systems and driving sustainability performance throughout major regional infrastructure and building projects. The advisor ensures continuous compliance with ISO 14001 standards, environmental legislation, and client-specific requirements while mitigating operational ecological risks across diverse construction sites. Day-to-day responsibilities include drafting environmental management plans, conducting on-site audits, calculating carbon metrics, and tracking sustainability key performance indicators. The role also plays an essential part in work-winning activities by shaping sustainability narratives for pre-qualification questionnaires (PQQs) and tenders. Over the longer term, the objective is to elevate company-wide operational sustainability by rolling out training modules for project teams and promoting progressive methods in circular economy and biodiversity net gain.

Key learning opportunities for this job

Working on high-profile infrastructure projects exposes the successful applicant to advanced industry methodologies in low-carbon construction, embodied carbon assessments, and waste valorisation. Candidates can significantly deepen their understanding of building rating systems such as BREEAM, LEED, and WELL within an operational environment. Additionally, the role provides structured opportunities to progress professional accreditations, supporting candidates advancing toward full chartered status with institutions such as IEMA or CIWEM. Exposure to large-scale, cross-regional sustainability frameworks within BAM UK & Ireland also offers rich insights into integrated corporate ESG reporting.

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

The ideal candidate brings at least three years of dedicated environmental or sustainability experience embedded within the construction or civil engineering sector. They must demonstrate practical expertise with ISO 14001 environmental management systems, statutory compliance, carbon auditing, and circularity implementation on live sites. Strong technical communication and persuasive negotiation skills are essential, as the role requires influencing operational site managers, subcontractors, and external clients. A relevant degree in environmental science, engineering, or sustainability, paired with active intermediate membership in a professional body such as IEMA, is highly desirable.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

Tailor your application by demonstrating tangible environmental outcomes achieved directly on construction sites, such as waste diversion rates, embodied carbon reductions, or successful environmental licensing processes. Highlight specific familiarity with Irish planning conditions and environmental legislation. Avoid generic corporate sustainability rhetoric and focus instead on how you have practically engaged project engineers and site managers to adopt sustainable practices. Showing familiarity with tender contribution and sustainable building assessment methods like BREEAM or LEED will set your profile apart.

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

The position zeroes in on operational environmental stewardship and project-level sustainability delivery. A significant portion of the focus rests on decarbonisation and climate resilience, requiring the advisor to implement carbon reduction initiatives and track site-level energy and fuel efficiency. Circular economy principles, rigorous resource management, and on-site biodiversity protection are also primary themes. The advisor actively bridges high-level corporate net-zero pledges with daily construction realities, ensuring environmental protection and compliance during high-impact groundworks and structural engineering.

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

A primary challenge lies in balancing rigorous environmental compliance and sustainability standards with the fast-paced, high-pressure demands of live construction schedules. Site teams may occasionally view environmental processes as administrative overhead rather than operational improvements. Overcoming this inertia requires exceptional diplomacy, patience, and clear communication to translate complex environmental metrics into commercially and practically sensible actions. Managing divergent priorities across multidisciplinary teams and subcontractors while enforcing standards poses an ongoing test.

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

A typical day might start on-site in Galway or the surrounding region, conducting an environmental inspection to verify silt control, hazardous storage, and waste segregation compliance alongside the site agent. You would review environmental risks and collaborate with the engineering team to solve an emerging on-site issue. In the afternoon, you might return to the office to analyse monthly project carbon emissions, compile ISO 14001 audit findings, and prepare an environmental summary report. The day could conclude with a collaborative workshop supporting a tender team with green building strategies or leading an environmental toolbox talk for site crews.

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

Operating within an international construction group like BAM unlocks extensive avenues for upward mobility, from regional leadership roles to Senior Environmental & Sustainability Manager (SESM) positions. You can expand your scope across civil engineering, FM, or complex design-and-build portfolios. High performers can also pivot horizontally into specialized strategic positions focusing exclusively on corporate carbon accounting, circular procurement, or climate resilience advisory, gaining prominent visibility across the wider UK & Ireland operating companies.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

On a daily level, the advisor works hand-in-hand with project managers, site agents, and civil engineers to supervise environmental mitigation measures and resolve operational bottlenecks. Close collaboration with regional QEHS and procurement teams is also constant. Externally, the role acts as a primary liaison with client sustainability representatives, local authority planning officers, environmental regulators, and specialised supply chain contractors. You will also coordinate regularly with senior sustainability management across BAM UK & Ireland to ensure strategic alignment.

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