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Social Sustainability Coordinator

BAM UK & Ireland • United Kingdom • Added on Aug 1, 2026
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As a Social Sustainability Coordinator, you will act as the vital link between major construction projects and the local communities they inhabit. You will be responsible for orchestrating social mobility programs, facilitating local employment, and ensuring that every build leaves a measurable positive legacy. This is a hands-on role where you translate high-level social value commitments into concrete actions on the ground.

The significance of this role lies in its power to transform the construction industry from a purely physical endeavor into a social engine. By managing relationships with social enterprises and MSMEs, you ensure that investment stays within the local economy and that diverse talent finds a pathway into the sector. You are essentially the guardian of social impact, ensuring that ‘Building a sustainable tomorrow’ is a reality for local residents, not just a corporate slogan.

This suits someone who possesses high emotional intelligence and a genuine passion for social equity, combined with the analytical rigor to track and report on complex social value metrics like the National TOMs.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The core mission is to bridge the gap between construction delivery and community benefits. You will lead the implementation of social sustainability strategies by identifying local needs and translating them into actionable project plans. This involves managing diverse programs ranging from education and training initiatives to supporting local social enterprises through strategic procurement. You will be responsible for the full lifecycle of social value delivery. This starts with contributing to tender submissions and work-winning activities, continues through the active management of community engagement during the build, and concludes with the rigorous reporting of outcomes using industry-standard frameworks like the National TOMs to prove the impact achieved.

Key learning opportunities for this job

Candidates will gain deep expertise in the National TOMs framework, which is the gold standard for measuring social value in the UK public sector. This is an invaluable technical skill as social value requirements become increasingly mandatory in government procurement. You will also develop a sophisticated understanding of how large-scale infrastructure projects can be used as levers for social mobility and local economic development. Beyond technical frameworks, the role offers significant exposure to socially responsible procurement. You will learn how to navigate complex supply chains to embed social requirements and how to mentor smaller MSMEs and social enterprises to help them meet corporate standards, providing a unique perspective on the intersection of commerce and social impact.

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

The ideal candidate brings a blend of community-focused empathy and corporate project management skills. A background in social value, community engagement, or EDI is essential, as is a firm grasp of the legislative drivers behind social sustainability in the UK. You should be someone who can speak the language of both a site manager and a charity director with equal ease. Technical proficiency in data analysis is vital, particularly with tools like Excel, to track quantitative social outputs. A degree-level qualification is preferred, but more important is the ability to inspire stakeholders and influence commercial teams to prioritize social outcomes alongside traditional project milestones.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, move beyond generalities about 'wanting to help people' and demonstrate a clear understanding of the National TOMs (Themes, Outcomes, and Measures). If you can provide a specific example of a time you translated a client's social value requirement into a successful community project or a diverse hiring win, you will immediately signal your readiness for the role. Research BAM's current Scottish projects and the specific socio-economic challenges in the Inverness or Aberdeenshire regions. Mentioning a local social enterprise you admire or a specific community need in these areas shows that you are already thinking like a local coordinator. Alignment with the company's 'Making Possible' mantra is key; show how you are a proactive problem-solver.

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

This role is focused entirely on the 'Social' pillar of ESG. While environmental sustainability is a company-wide goal, your specific focus will be on social inclusion, diversity, and equity. You will work to ensure that the workforce reflects the community and that procurement spend is directed toward businesses that have a positive social mission. A significant portion of your focus will be on the Foundational Economy. This means looking at how the project's presence can support the essential local services and businesses that keep a community thriving. You will likely spend a lot of time on local recruitment initiatives and ensuring that the project does not just exist in a community, but actively enriches it.

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

One of the primary challenges will be the balancing act between commercial project pressures and social value commitments. Construction projects operate on tight margins and schedules; you will need to be a persuasive advocate to ensure that social sustainability remains a priority for site teams who may be focused on physical delivery. Data collection from subcontractors can also be a hurdle. You will need to build strong relationships with the supply chain to ensure they are reporting their social impact data accurately and on time. Overcoming skepticism regarding the 'value' of social impact by providing clear, data-driven evidence of success will be a recurring theme in this position.

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

A typical day is highly varied, split between the office, home, and construction sites. In the morning, you might be at a project site meeting with the project manager to discuss local hiring targets or visiting a local school to coordinate a STEM workshop. Site visits are a requirement at least two days a week to stay connected to the work. In the afternoon, your focus might shift to data and reporting. You could be analyzing local spend figures in Excel, writing a case study for a recent community initiative, or collaborating with the bidding team to draft social value commitments for a new tender. Expect regular communication with external partners like local councils and VCSE organizations.

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

Growth in this role often leads to Social Value Manager or regional lead positions within the sustainability team. As the importance of social value continues to grow in the construction industry, this role places you at the forefront of a rapidly professionalizing field with high visibility to senior leadership. You could also pivot into Sustainable Procurement or ESG strategy roles, as the skills you develop in stakeholder management and impact measurement are highly transferable. BAM’s scale across the UK & Ireland means there are often opportunities for lateral moves into different regions or sectors of the business.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will interact with a diverse group of internal stakeholders, including Project Managers, Site Teams, the Commercial and Procurement departments, and the central Sustainability team. You must influence these colleagues to ensure social commitments are written into subcontracts and delivered on the ground. Externally, your network will include clients (often public sector bodies), local government officials, community leaders, and third-sector organizations. You will also act as a mentor and partner to subcontractors and small local businesses, helping them align with BAM’s social sustainability standards.

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