Sustainability Lead

The Sustainability Lead will be responsible for developing and implementing project-specific sustainability strategies across multiple data centre projects, ensuring alignment with client requirements and Dornan's own objectives. A key mission is to embed sustainability into every stage of the construction lifecycle, from pre-construction and design through procurement, construction, commissioning and handover. Day-to-day, this involves collaborating with Project Directors, engineering, commercial and procurement teams to identify opportunities for carbon reduction, waste minimisation and resource efficiency. You will manage sustainability KPIs, conduct carbon assessments, and maintain compliance documentation, likely using tools such as whole-life carbon software and EPD databases. Longer-term, the role aims to drive continuous improvement by sharing best practices across projects and representing Dornan at client and industry meetings. Supporting certification processes like BREEAM and LEED will also be a core responsibility, ensuring that sustainability commitments are not just promised but delivered.

This role offers significant exposure to large-scale data centre projects, allowing you to deepen your expertise in whole-life carbon assessment, embodied carbon reduction and sustainable MEP design. You will likely gain hands-on experience with BREEAM and LEED certification processes, as well as tools like One Click LCA or similar carbon accounting software. Working across UK and European projects could broaden your understanding of different regulatory frameworks and industry best practices, improving your ability to operate in international contexts. Collaboration with senior leadership and clients may also sharpen your strategic influencing and stakeholder management skills. Dornan's focus on continuous improvement suggests you will have opportunities to share lessons learned and contribute to internal knowledge platforms, potentially leading to mentorship roles. The company's employee networks, such as Women @ Dornan, may offer additional development and networking avenues.

The ideal candidate will have proven experience in sustainability within the construction or MEP sector, with a strong grasp of embodied carbon, whole-life carbon and carbon reduction methodologies. Familiarity with BREEAM, LEED and relevant UK/European regulations is essential, as is knowledge of PAS 2080, ISO 14001 and GHG reporting. You should be comfortable working with Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), sustainability reporting and carbon assessments, and have a track record of embedding sustainability into procurement and construction processes. Strong analytical skills and attention to detail are important for managing KPIs and compliance documentation. Soft skills matter too: you will need to influence without authority, communicate complex concepts to diverse audiences, and thrive in a collaborative, multi-project environment. A degree in environmental science, engineering or a related field is likely, and professional certifications such as LEED AP or BREEAM Assessor would be advantageous.

To stand out, tailor your application to highlight specific experience with data centre or mission-critical projects, as Dornan's portfolio is heavily focused there. Quantify your achievements in carbon reduction, waste diversion or certification successes, using metrics like tonnes of CO2e saved or BREEAM credits achieved. Demonstrate familiarity with Dornan's core services, MEP engineering and commissioning, and show how you have collaborated with such teams previously. Mention any exposure to PAS 2080 or ISO 14001, as these are advantageous. In your cover letter, express genuine interest in the data centre sector and its sustainability challenges, and align with Dornan's values of quality, innovation and inclusivity. Prepare for interviews by researching recent data centre sustainability trends and Dornan's key clients. Be ready to discuss how you would handle competing priorities and influence project teams. Contacting Sean Hitchman, as mentioned in the job posting, could also show initiative, but ensure your approach is professional and concise.

The role will likely centre on reducing embodied carbon in MEP systems, which are material-intensive and a major source of emissions in data centre construction. You could be driving whole-life carbon assessments, specifying low-carbon concrete and steel, and promoting circular economy principles through material reuse and waste diversion. Another key focus might be energy and water efficiency during commissioning and handover, ensuring that the operational performance of data centres aligns with design intent. This intersects with client ESG goals, as data centre operators face increasing scrutiny over their environmental footprint. Governance aspects could include aligning projects with PAS 2080 and ISO 14001, managing sustainability KPIs, and supporting BREEAM or LEED certification. Social sustainability may also feature through responsible sourcing and community engagement initiatives.

One challenge could be the fast-paced nature of data centre construction, where project timelines are tight and sustainability can be seen as a secondary priority. You will need to persistently advocate for sustainable practices without slowing down delivery, often requiring creative solutions that balance environmental goals with cost and schedule pressures. Another difficulty might be the multi-project, cross-border scope, which demands excellent organisational skills and the ability to adapt to different regulatory contexts in the UK and Netherlands. Ensuring consistency in data collection and reporting across projects could also be complex, especially when project teams have varying levels of sustainability knowledge. Finally, measuring and verifying embodied carbon reductions can be challenging due to data gaps in supply chains. You may need to work closely with procurement to obtain reliable EPDs and other environmental data, while also managing client expectations on what is achievable within current market constraints.

A typical day could involve a morning call with a project director to review sustainability targets for an upcoming data centre phase, followed by a site visit to assess waste segregation or embodied carbon data collection. Afternoons might be spent reviewing Environmental Product Declarations from suppliers, updating carbon trackers, or preparing for a client meeting on BREEAM credits. Given the multi-project scope, no two days are alike: you might switch between a design workshop in London and a commissioning review for a Netherlands site. You will also spend time mentoring project engineers on sustainable procurement and ensuring that lessons learned are shared across the portfolio. Regular interactions with commercial and procurement teams to embed responsible sourcing into contracts are likely, as well as occasional reporting to senior leadership on progress against KPIs.

As Dornan expands its data centre portfolio, the Sustainability Lead could grow into a more strategic role, such as Head of Sustainability for the data centre division or a similar leadership position. The multi-project scope provides a platform to demonstrate impact at scale, potentially leading to increased responsibility for company-wide sustainability strategy. You may also have opportunities to specialise further in areas like carbon accounting or circular economy, becoming a subject matter expert within the organisation. Exposure to high-profile clients and projects could improve your professional network and open doors to senior roles in other sectors. Dornan's emphasis on continuous improvement and employee development suggests that lateral moves into project management or business development might be possible, especially if you show interest. The company's growing presence in Europe could also offer international career prospects.

The primary internal stakeholders will be Project Directors, engineering leads, commercial managers, procurement specialists and construction teams across multiple data centre projects. You will work closely with them to integrate sustainability into design reviews, procurement decisions and site practices, requiring strong influencing and communication skills. Externally, you will engage with client sustainability representatives, often from large technology or data centre operators, to align on requirements and report progress. You may also interact with suppliers and subcontractors to promote responsible sourcing and obtain environmental product declarations. Additionally, you might liaise with certification bodies such as BREEAM or LEED assessors, and regulatory authorities to ensure compliance with UK and European sustainability regulations. Senior leadership at Dornan will also be key stakeholders, as you provide updates on portfolio performance and strategic direction.