Sustainability Executive

The Sustainability Executive at BAT Spain is responsible for driving the sustainability strategy, policies, and standards across the Iberia cluster, which includes Spain, Portugal, Andorra, and Gibraltar. Day to day, this involves implementing ESG deployment plans, ensuring compliance with environmental, health, and safety (EHS) regulations, and maintaining management systems to deliver accurate reporting and KPI analysis. The role leads initiatives such as waste reduction, water recycling, green fleet transition, and safety improvements, while also building sustainability awareness through training and engagement programs. A key part is to serve as the cluster ESG focal point, collaborating with regional teams and external stakeholders to shape strategies and best practices. The overarching goal is to ensure BAT protects its corporate reputation and license to operate, and is recognised for advanced sustainability standards. This position supports BAT's Ambition 2030 commitments, aiming to drive performance in line with global targets. It also involves identifying and mitigating environmental and health and safety risks, and fostering continuous improvement across operations. The role requires a balance of strategic thinking and hands-on execution, with a strong focus on compliance and capability building within the cluster.

As a Sustainability Executive at BAT Spain, you will gain hands-on experience in implementing ESG strategies across a cluster of four markets, which is rare exposure for an early-career role. You will learn how to navigate a multinational matrix organisation and collaborate with regional teams, building skills in stakeholder engagement and cross-cultural communication. The role involves maintaining ESG and EHS management systems, so you will develop expertise in data collection, KPI analysis, and sustainability reporting, possibly using specific software or frameworks. You will also lead initiatives such as waste reduction, water recycling, and green fleet transition, which will teach you project management, change management, and how to drive environmental performance. Working under BAT's Ambition 2030 commitments, you will understand how corporate sustainability targets are translated into local action. Additionally, you will receive training and coaching to build sustainability awareness, which will further solidify your knowledge. BAT offers access to online learning platforms and personalised growth programs, so you can pursue certifications or courses in areas like EHS, ESG reporting, or leadership. The exposure to health and safety standards and regulations will also add a valuable dimension to your skill set.

The ideal candidate for this role likely has a Bachelor's degree and 1-3 years of experience in sustainability, EHS, operations, or a related field within a multinational organisation. They should possess knowledge of sustainability and EHS practices, including familiarity with environmental regulations and management systems. Fluency in English and Spanish is essential, along with strong communication skills for international business environments. Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office and analytical abilities are important for reporting and KPI analysis. The candidate should be proactive, self-driven, and capable of multitasking and prioritising in a dynamic setting. They must be a team player who can build trusted relationships and maintain confidentiality, and who can work effectively in multicultural, matrix organisations. A positive, can-do attitude and a commitment to high-quality outcomes are also valued. While not explicitly required, experience with ESG reporting frameworks, project management, or continuous improvement methodologies could be advantageous. The candidate should demonstrate an understanding of BAT's sustainability strategy and a genuine interest in contributing to its goals.

To stand out for this Sustainability Executive role at BAT Spain, tailor your resume to highlight 1-3 years of experience in sustainability, EHS, or operations within a multinational setting. Emphasise specific projects you have contributed to, such as waste reduction, water recycling, or safety improvements, and quantify outcomes where possible. Since the role requires collaboration across the Iberia cluster, demonstrate your ability to work in multicultural, matrix organisations. In your cover letter, connect your motivation to BAT's purpose of building A Better Tomorrow and its Ambition 2030 goals. Show that you understand the unique context of a tobacco company transitioning to reduced-risk products, and how sustainability functions in that environment. Prepare for interviews by researching BAT's ESG commitments, such as their environmental targets and EHS standards. Be ready to discuss how you would drive ESG performance across Spain, Portugal, Andorra, and Gibraltar. Highlight your fluency in English and Spanish, and your analytical skills with tools like Microsoft Office. If you have experience with ESG reporting or management systems, bring that to the forefront. Finally, demonstrate a proactive, self-driven attitude and a commitment to continuous improvement, as these are key attributes they seek.

This role will focus on the environmental and health and safety aspects of BAT's sustainability agenda within the Iberia cluster. You will be driving ESG performance aligned with BAT's Ambition 2030 commitments, which likely include targets for carbon neutrality, water stewardship, waste reduction, and responsible sourcing. Specifically, the role involves leading projects on waste reduction, water recycling, and green fleet transition, so a significant portion of your work will be on environmental impact reduction. You will also ensure compliance with EHS standards and regulations, which covers occupational health and safety, fire protection, and environmental protection. Governance aspects will be present through maintaining management systems and reporting, ensuring data accuracy for internal and external disclosures. Social aspects may include building sustainability awareness and engaging employees, as well as collaborating with external stakeholders to shape best practices. Given BAT's transformation towards reduced-risk products, the sustainability focus may also involve integrating ESG considerations into new product categories and operations. Overall, the role is pivotal in translating BAT's global sustainability strategy into local action across the cluster.

One of the main challenges in this role could be driving ESG performance across a cluster with diverse markets like Spain, Portugal, Andorra, and Gibraltar, each with different regulatory environments and operational contexts. Ensuring compliance with EHS standards while also pursuing ambitious sustainability goals may require balancing competing priorities and resources. The role involves influencing line managers and functions without direct authority, so navigating a matrix organisation and building consensus could be demanding. Another challenge might be maintaining accurate and timely sustainability reporting and KPI analysis, especially if data systems are not fully integrated. Leading initiatives such as green fleet transition or waste reduction may face resistance or logistical hurdles, requiring persistence and creative problem-solving. Additionally, as BAT transitions from tobacco to reduced-risk products, you may need to manage reputational considerations and engage stakeholders who are sceptical of the industry. Keeping up with evolving ESG regulations and best practices across the cluster will also require continuous learning. Finally, the need to multitask and prioritise effectively in a fast-paced environment could be stressful, but it is also an opportunity to demonstrate your organisational skills.

A typical day for the Sustainability Executive might start with checking emails and reviewing any urgent EHS or ESG issues that arose overnight. You could then attend a meeting with the cluster operations team to discuss ongoing projects like waste reduction or green fleet transition, providing updates and troubleshooting challenges. Later, you might analyse sustainability data and prepare reports for regional teams, ensuring KPIs are on track and compliant with standards. You may have a call with a line manager in Portugal to advise on implementing an ESG initiative, offering tailored support. After lunch, you might conduct a training session for employees on sustainability awareness or safety protocols. Throughout the day, you could be responding to queries from various functions, acting as the ESG focal point. There might be periodic meetings with external stakeholders, such as regulators or community groups, to stay informed and share best practices. The role likely involves a mix of desk work, virtual collaboration, and occasional site visits to operational locations within the Iberia cluster. Variability comes from project deadlines, reporting cycles, and urgent compliance matters.

In this role, you will have the opportunity to grow into more senior sustainability positions within BAT, such as Cluster Sustainability Manager or Regional ESG Lead, given the company's size and global presence. The exposure to the Iberia cluster and collaboration with regional teams can open doors to international assignments. You will also build expertise in specific areas like EHS compliance, ESG reporting, and project management, which are transferable across industries. BAT invests in employee development through online learning platforms and personalised growth programs, which you can use to gain certifications or deepen your knowledge. The role's focus on driving ESG performance and leading initiatives such as waste reduction and green fleet transition allows you to take ownership of high-visibility projects that can demonstrate your impact. Success in this position could lead to roles with broader scope, such as overseeing sustainability for a larger region or moving into a global function. Additionally, the experience in a multinational, matrix organisation will prepare you for leadership roles that require stakeholder management and strategic thinking.

In this role, you will interact with a wide range of stakeholders. Internally, you will work closely with End Markets Line Managers and various function teams across the Iberia cluster, providing them with counsel, advice, and support to implement sustainability initiatives. You will also collaborate with regional teams to align cluster strategies with global objectives, and with the global sustainability function to ensure compliance with standards and reporting requirements. Externally, you might engage with regulatory bodies, industry associations, and community groups to stay informed and shape best practices. You will also liaise with suppliers and contractors on projects like waste reduction or green fleet transition. As the cluster ESG focal point, you will be the go-to person for sustainability queries, so you will need to build trusted relationships with colleagues at all levels. Additionally, you may interact with HR for training and engagement programs, and with finance for budget and cost optimisation. The role requires effective communication and collaboration across diverse cultural and functional backgrounds.