Q: What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The Sustainability Lead is responsible for the strategic leadership of environmental management across the Curzon Street station project. This involves establishing and maintaining Environmental Management Systems (EMS) that align with ISO 14001 standards and HS2’s specific Environmental Minimum Requirements (EMR). Beyond compliance, the role drives the project’s carbon reduction strategy and BREEAM certification progress. You will oversee a team of technical experts to conduct audits, lead incident investigations, and ensure that environmental milestones are fully integrated into the construction schedule and supply chain operations.

Q: Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, demonstrate a clear understanding of the HS2 Environmental Minimum Requirements and how you have previously translated complex compliance needs into actionable construction plans. Tailor your application to highlight your experience with carbon management and BREEAM on large-scale projects. Given the collaborative nature of this role, provide examples of how you have successfully navigated stakeholder conflicts between environmental goals and construction timelines. Highlighting your ability to lead root-cause analysis during environmental incidents will also show the technical maturity Mace is looking for.

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

The role focuses heavily on operational environmental compliance and the decarbonization of construction activities. You will be the primary guardian of the project’s carbon targets, ensuring that design and delivery teams minimize the embodied and operational footprint of the station. Additionally, there is a strong focus on social and environmental legacy . By managing air quality, waste, and ecology, you ensure the project respects the Birmingham city-center environment while contributing to the broader UK goal of building sustainable, low-carbon transport infrastructure.

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

The most significant challenge will be balancing environmental rigor with the intense pressure of an £800m construction schedule. Navigating the differing priorities of supply chain partners, HS2, and MDJV requires high emotional intelligence and technical confidence. You may also face challenges related to the complexity of urban construction , where managing noise, vibration, and heritage constraints in a busy city center requires constant vigilance and proactive problem-solving to avoid program delays or legal breaches.

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

A typical day involves a mix of strategic planning and site-level oversight . You might start with a meeting with Planning Managers to review environmental milestones, followed by a site walk to audit the implementation of mitigation measures by the supply chain. In the afternoon, you could be leading a carbon management workshop with design teams or reviewing BREEAM evidence. The day often concludes with reporting on environmental risks to senior leadership, ensuring all stakeholders are aware of compliance status and upcoming challenges.

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

Mace offers a structured environment for professional advancement , especially within its newly independent Consult and Construct businesses. Success in this high-visibility HS2 role can lead to senior regional or global sustainability leadership positions. There are also opportunities to become a subject matter expert in infrastructure carbon management or to move into broader ESG leadership roles within the group, leveraging the experience gained from managing one of the most complex infrastructure builds in Europe.

Q: The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will frequently interact with the HS2 environmental team and partners within the MDJV joint venture. Internally, your main counterparts are Project Managers, Commercial Leads, and the Stakeholder & Engagement Lead. External interactions include environmental regulators , local authorities in Birmingham, and a vast network of supply chain contractors. Your ability to build trust and clear communication channels across these groups is essential for maintaining the project's 'social license' to operate.

Question 1

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

Accepted Answer

The Sustainability Lead is responsible for the strategic leadership of environmental management across the Curzon Street station project. This involves establishing and maintaining Environmental Management Systems (EMS) that align with ISO 14001 standards and HS2’s specific Environmental Minimum Requirements (EMR). Beyond compliance, the role drives the project’s carbon reduction strategy and BREEAM certification progress. You will oversee a team of technical experts to conduct audits, lead incident investigations, and ensure that environmental milestones are fully integrated into the construction schedule and supply chain operations.

Question 2

Key learning opportunities for this job

Accepted Answer

Working on a flagship project like HS2 offers real exposure to large-scale infrastructure sustainability and complex regulatory frameworks. You will gain deep expertise in PAS 2080 for carbon management and master the intricacies of BREEAM certification for massive transport hubs. The role also provides a platform to refine multi-disciplinary leadership skills, as you will be navigating the requirements of joint venture partners (MDJV) and diverse governmental stakeholders, providing a masterclass in high-stakes environmental consultancy and project delivery.

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

The ideal candidate brings significant experience in environmental management within the construction or civil engineering sectors. A professional membership (such as IEMA or CIWEM) is essential, alongside a strong grasp of ISO 14001 and UK environmental legislation. Soft skills are just as critical; you need the ability to negotiate and influence senior leadership and commercial teams. Experience in managing complex environmental monitoring (covering noise, air quality, and biodiversity) will distinguish top-tier applicants who can handle the technical breadth of a major station build.

Question 4

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

Accepted Answer

To stand out, demonstrate a clear understanding of the HS2 Environmental Minimum Requirements and how you have previously translated complex compliance needs into actionable construction plans. Tailor your application to highlight your experience with carbon management and BREEAM on large-scale projects. Given the collaborative nature of this role, provide examples of how you have successfully navigated stakeholder conflicts between environmental goals and construction timelines. Highlighting your ability to lead root-cause analysis during environmental incidents will also show the technical maturity Mace is looking for.

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

The role focuses heavily on operational environmental compliance and the decarbonization of construction activities. You will be the primary guardian of the project’s carbon targets, ensuring that design and delivery teams minimize the embodied and operational footprint of the station. Additionally, there is a strong focus on social and environmental legacy. By managing air quality, waste, and ecology, you ensure the project respects the Birmingham city-center environment while contributing to the broader UK goal of building sustainable, low-carbon transport infrastructure.

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

The most significant challenge will be balancing environmental rigor with the intense pressure of an £800m construction schedule. Navigating the differing priorities of supply chain partners, HS2, and MDJV requires high emotional intelligence and technical confidence. You may also face challenges related to the complexity of urban construction, where managing noise, vibration, and heritage constraints in a busy city center requires constant vigilance and proactive problem-solving to avoid program delays or legal breaches.

Question 7

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

Accepted Answer

A typical day involves a mix of strategic planning and site-level oversight. You might start with a meeting with Planning Managers to review environmental milestones, followed by a site walk to audit the implementation of mitigation measures by the supply chain. In the afternoon, you could be leading a carbon management workshop with design teams or reviewing BREEAM evidence. The day often concludes with reporting on environmental risks to senior leadership, ensuring all stakeholders are aware of compliance status and upcoming challenges.

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

Mace offers a structured environment for professional advancement, especially within its newly independent Consult and Construct businesses. Success in this high-visibility HS2 role can lead to senior regional or global sustainability leadership positions. There are also opportunities to become a subject matter expert in infrastructure carbon management or to move into broader ESG leadership roles within the group, leveraging the experience gained from managing one of the most complex infrastructure builds in Europe.

Question 9

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

Accepted Answer

You will frequently interact with the HS2 environmental team and partners within the MDJV joint venture. Internally, your main counterparts are Project Managers, Commercial Leads, and the Stakeholder & Engagement Lead. External interactions include environmental regulators, local authorities in Birmingham, and a vast network of supply chain contractors. Your ability to build trust and clear communication channels across these groups is essential for maintaining the project's 'social license' to operate.

Sustainability Lead

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

Key learning opportunities for this job

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

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

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

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

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

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

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

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