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Sustainability Officer

BESIX • Belgium • Added on Jul 7, 2026
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As a Sustainability Officer at the Group level, you will act as a central architect for the company’s ESG transformation. You will move beyond high-level strategy to develop actionable KPIs, manage rigorous data governance, and ensure that global operations align with emerging European regulations. Your work involves building a robust internal network to cascade sustainability goals through diverse business units across several continents.

This role is critical because the construction industry faces immense pressure to decarbonize and embrace circularity. By steering the CSRD implementation and EU Taxonomy alignment for a multi-billion euro group, you directly influence how large-scale infrastructure and marine projects are designed and executed. You are not just reporting on impact; you are helping a century-old engineering leader redefine its legacy for a low-carbon future.

This suits someone who possesses at least five years of corporate sustainability experience and thrives in complex, international environments. You should be equally comfortable with technical regulatory frameworks and the human-centric challenge of driving cultural change.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The Sustainability Officer is tasked with operationalizing the Group's ESG roadmap. This includes refining the long-term sustainability strategy and monitoring international regulatory shifts to ensure the company remains ahead of the curve. You will own the development of performance dashboards and frameworks that allow the Group to track progress against its environmental and social targets. A significant portion of the role involves regulatory compliance, specifically meeting the detailed requirements of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the EU Taxonomy. You will coordinate with various departments to ensure data accuracy and governance while also representing the Group in external forums and working with rating agencies.

Key learning opportunities for this job

In this position, you will gain deep technical expertise in CSRD and ESRS frameworks within a high-impact sector. Applying these regulations to a complex, multinational construction group provides a unique learning curve in double materiality and complex data management across diverse business lines. Furthermore, you will sharpen your change management skills by rolling out training initiatives for executives and operational teams. The international nature of the Group offers exposure to how sustainability is navigated in different markets, from European regulations to varied standards in the Middle East and Australia.

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

The ideal candidate holds a Master’s degree in Business, Engineering, or Environmental Sciences and brings a minimum of five years of experience in corporate sustainability. Familiarity with climate, energy, or circularity topics is essential, and experience within the construction or infrastructure sectors is a distinct advantage. Beyond technical knowledge, you need to be a strong communicator who can simplify complex ESG concepts for different audiences. Fluency in English is mandatory, and proficiency in Dutch or French is highly valued to navigate the Group's Belgian roots and international operations effectively.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, demonstrate your ability to bridge the gap between high-level ESG theory and operational reality. Use your application to highlight specific instances where you have managed complex data projects or successfully influenced stakeholders in a project-driven environment. Since BESIX emphasizes its internal Engineering Department and technical excellence, showing an analytical mindset and an understanding of the built environment will resonate well. Tailor your cover letter to reflect how you would handle the scale of a multi-billion euro turnover company with over 80 nationalities.

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

The role focuses heavily on the environmental and governance pillars of ESG. High priority is placed on reducing carbon emissions and promoting circular construction, areas where the construction industry has a significant footprint. You will likely work on projects related to decarbonization pathways and sustainable materials. On the governance side, the focus is on data integrity and ethical reporting. You will play a central role in ensuring that sustainability is integrated into the Group’s risk management and strategic decision-making processes, moving it from a peripheral function to a core business driver.

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

One of the primary challenges will be standardizing sustainability data across 27+ countries and multiple affiliates. Ensuring consistent reporting and high data quality in such a decentralized and project-driven environment requires persistence and strong organizational systems. Additionally, driving cultural change in a traditional industry like construction can be slow. You will need to convince busy operational teams of the value of ESG reporting and circular practices, balancing immediate project deadlines with long-term sustainability requirements.

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

A typical day might begin with a meeting with the ICT and Legal teams to discuss data governance and CSRD reporting tools. You might then transition to a brainstorming session on a new training module for project managers focused on circularity or carbon reduction at the building site level. In the afternoon, you could be analyzing international market trends to refine Group KPIs or corresponding with external auditors and rating agencies. The day often concludes with stakeholder engagement, perhaps coordinating with a regional affiliate in the Middle East or Australia to align their local sustainability initiatives with the Group’s master strategy.

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

This role offers significant visibility at the Group level, providing a platform to influence C-suite executives and senior leadership. Success in this position could lead to more senior strategic roles within the sustainability department or leadership positions in specialized divisions like BESIX Environment. As the Group continues to expand its focus on concessions and green infrastructure, there are opportunities to become a subject matter expert in niche areas such as the EU Taxonomy for marine works or circularity in high-rise construction, positioning you as a leader in the sustainable construction field.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will interact daily with a wide range of internal functional leaders, including those in Legal, Compliance, ICT, and Communications. You will also build strong links with the Engineering Department and operational business units across the globe to ensure the sustainability roadmap is being implemented on the ground. Externally, your network will include auditors, certification bodies, and ESG rating agencies. You will also engage with regulatory authorities and potentially represent BESIX in industry partnerships or external sustainability forums to maintain the Group’s reputation and influence.

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