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Sustainability Manager

Majid Al Futtaim • United Arab Emirates • Added on Aug 25, 2026
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As a Sustainability Manager, you will oversee the group-wide operationalization of environmental and social governance workstreams. You will act as a central coordinator, managing everything from internal training and awareness campaigns to the technical rigor of annual sustainability reporting. Beyond pure project management, this role involves mentoring junior staff to ensure that every sustainability initiative—whether it is a certification process or an ESG risk assessment—is executed with high-quality documentation and proactive risk management.

This position matters because Majid Al Futtaim is a massive regional player whose scale means that even incremental improvements in ESG performance have a significant impact on the Middle East’s transition to a green economy. By refining ESG risk ratings and driving external recognition through awards and certifications, you help maintain the high credit standing and public trust of a conglomerate that welcomes over 600 million customers annually. Your work directly translates abstract corporate targets into measurable regional impact.

This suits someone who possesses a sharp eye for detail in reporting and a collaborative spirit for managing cross-functional teams. You should be a structured project lead who is comfortable navigating the complexities of a large, diversified lifestyle conglomerate while mentoring the next generation of sustainability professionals.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The core mission involves driving group-wide sustainability workstreams across diverse business units. You will be responsible for the end-to-end management of ESG risk ratings, ensuring data integrity and timely evidence submission to external bodies. This includes leading the preparation of the Annual Sustainability Report and coordinating with various departments to ensure all inputs meet strict quality standards. Beyond technical reporting, you will manage junior team members, overseeing their daily tasks and coaching them for performance. You will also own the execution of sustainability awards and certifications, ensuring the company’s achievements are recognized internationally. Documentation and governance are critical, as you will be expected to maintain rigorous audit trails for all sustainability disclosures.

Key learning opportunities for this job

In this role, you will gain deep exposure to complex ESG rating methodologies such as MSCI or Sustainalytics within a diversified conglomerate context. Navigating the sustainability requirements of retail, cinema, and hospitality simultaneously provides a unique perspective on sectoral differences in environmental impact and social governance. Additionally, you will refine your leadership and coaching skills by managing a junior team in a fast-paced environment. There is also significant opportunity to master international reporting frameworks like GRI or LEED, positioning you as a technical expert in the Middle Eastern sustainability landscape.

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

The ideal candidate brings at least five years of corporate sustainability experience, ideally with a background in project management. You should have a proven track record of handling high-stakes reporting cycles and managing multiple stakeholders across different seniority levels. A degree in environmental science or business is expected, and certifications like LEED or GRI are highly valued. Soft skills are just as important as technical ones; you need to be a proactive communicator who can translate complex ESG data into compelling narratives. Experience in the Middle East market or a large-scale retail environment would be a distinct advantage for understanding the local regulatory and cultural context.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

Focus your application on your project management successes. Quantify your achievements by mentioning specific ESG ratings you improved or reporting cycles you successfully led. Since this role emphasizes 'Emirati Talent' and governance, highlighting your understanding of local UAE sustainability goals and your commitment to rigorous documentation will set you apart. Research Majid Al Futtaim’s 'Net Positive' strategy before applying. Being able to discuss how your specific skills in risk ratings and communications can help them reach their 2040 targets will demonstrate that you are not just a reporter, but a strategic partner in their mission.

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

The role focuses heavily on transparency and accountability. You will spend a significant amount of time on the governance side of ESG, ensuring that the company's sustainability claims are backed by robust data and recognized through credible third-party certifications. This is crucial for maintaining their high credit rating and investor confidence. There is also a strong element of social impact and wellbeing. By leading stakeholder engagement campaigns and internal trainings, you will foster a culture of sustainability across the 43,000-strong workforce, ensuring that the 'Create Great Moments' vision includes a healthy, inclusive environment for both employees and customers.

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

One of the primary challenges is data fragmentation. Collecting and verifying sustainability metrics across multiple business sectors—from shopping malls to hotels—requires persistent follow-ups and high attention to detail. You may face resistance or delays when coordinating with teams who have competing operational priorities. Managing external ESG expectations in a rapidly evolving regulatory environment is another hurdle. You must stay ahead of changing reporting standards to ensure the company remains a leader in risk ratings and avoids the pitfalls of greenwashing through precise and evidence-based communication.

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

Your day might begin with a team check-in to align on reporting deadlines and provide guidance to junior managers on their current workstreams. The mid-morning could be spent in a technical meeting with the finance or operations teams to review evidence for a specific ESG risk rating submission or a LEED certification renewal. In the afternoon, you might shift to a creative stakeholder session, planning an upcoming sustainability campaign or award submission. The end of the day often involves reviewing draft sections of the annual report or refining presentations for senior leadership to ensure all sustainability narratives are consistent with the broader group strategy.

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

This role serves as a launchpad into senior leadership positions within the sustainability department or broader corporate governance. Given the size of the conglomerate, there are possibilities for lateral moves into specific business units to lead their localized sustainability strategies. Success in this role offers high visibility among executive leadership, potentially leading to Global Sustainability Director positions. The experience gained in managing large-scale reporting and external ratings is highly transferable and sought after in the global ESG market.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will frequently interact with the Executive Leadership Team and department heads to gather data and report on progress. Internally, you will partner with the Communications, HR, and Operations teams to embed sustainability into the daily business fabric and employee experience. Externally, you will engage with ESG rating agencies, certification bodies, and sustainability consultants. You will also act as a liaison for government entities and industry groups, ensuring Majid Al Futtaim remains a prominent voice in regional sustainability dialogues.

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