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Manager Sustainability

McDermott International, Ltd • United Kingdom • Added on Aug 21, 2026
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As a Manager Sustainability at McDermott, you will oversee the strategic implementation of social responsibility and environmental frameworks across complex energy projects. You are responsible for navigating the full project lifecycle, from initial bids to commissioning, ensuring that large-scale infrastructure builds respect human rights and local community standards. You will bridge the gap between technical engineering requirements and the human element of global operations.

This role is pivotal because it addresses the social license to operate within the energy transition. In an industry historically scrutinized for its footprint, you will lead the charge in responsible resource transformation, managing everything from indigenous peoples’ rights to carbon offset programs. Your work directly ensures that the physical building blocks of the world’s future energy grid are constructed with high ethical and environmental integrity.

This suits someone who possesses a deep background in international development or social sciences and feels at home navigating the high-stakes, matrixed environment of a global engineering leader.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The Manager Sustainability holds a dual-mandate role focusing on both social responsibility and environmental governance. You will be tasked with driving the implementation of social responsibility strategies across the entire project lifecycle, ensuring that large-scale engineering works align with international human rights standards and community expectations. This includes managing grievance mechanisms, indigenous peoples' rights, and local content strategies. On the environmental side, you will lead initiatives to track and report sustainability metrics using advanced digital platforms like FigBytes. You are expected to chair cross-functional meetings that integrate sustainability into regional project management systems, ensuring that environmental considerations are not just theoretical but operationalized within the engineering workflow.

Key learning opportunities for this job

Candidates in this position will gain unparalleled exposure to international sustainability standards such as the IFC Performance Standards, UNGPs, and ISO26000. Working in a company that operates in over 54 countries provides a unique masterclass in navigating diverse regulatory environments and geopolitical risks, particularly regarding social license and community investment. You will also develop high-level technical proficiency in ESG data management and analytics. Mastering the FigBytes platform for detailed sustainability reporting and participating in regional industry networks will position you as a thought leader in the evolving landscape of energy transition infrastructure.

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

The ideal candidate brings a sophisticated blend of academic rigor and field experience, typically holding a Master’s degree in Sustainability, Social Responsibility, or International Development. With over a decade of experience in the field, you should demonstrate a proven track record of managing social risk and national content plans in complex, multi-stakeholder environments. Technically, you must be a self-starter with excellent data management skills. The role requires the ability to translate complex sociopolitical and cultural analyses into actionable business strategies for commercial and operations teams. A background in engineering combined with social science expertise is highly valued to bridge the gap between technical delivery and sustainability goals.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, move beyond generic CSR language and demonstrate a deep understanding of non-technical risk management in the energy sector. Highlighting specific experience with National Content Plans or Indigenous Peoples' engagement in diverse geographies will signal your readiness for McDermott's global footprint. Tailor your application to show how you have successfully influenced internal stakeholders in a matrixed organization. Showing that you can collaborate with Supply Chain, Legal, and Operations to integrate sustainability into core business processes, rather than treating it as a siloed function, will be a key differentiator during the interview process.

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

The role focuses heavily on the social pillar of ESG, specifically human rights, community investment, and local value creation. In the context of large-scale infrastructure, this means ensuring that the presence of the company benefits the local economy through supplier diversity and education programs while mitigating any potential negative social impacts. Environmental focus is concentrated on decarbonization and data integrity. You will likely work on carbon offset programs and advanced metrics tracking to support McDermott's commitment to responsibly harnessing energy resources. The integration of ESG regulations into regional policies is also a major focus area as global compliance requirements tighten.

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

One of the primary challenges is aligning diverse stakeholders who may have competing priorities, such as joint venture partners, local governments, and international NGOs. Balancing the speed of project execution with the thoroughness required for human rights due diligence and community engagement requires high levels of diplomacy and resilience. Managing non-technical risks in volatile geopolitical environments is another significant hurdle. You must stay ahead of regulatory changes and sociocultural shifts across multiple regions, ensuring that the company’s sustainability strategy remains robust even when faced with local political instability or complex land-use issues.

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

A typical day involves a high degree of cross-functional collaboration, starting with meetings to advise commercial teams on social strategies for new markets. You might spend time analyzing sociopolitical data for an upcoming project bid or reviewing grievance management logs from an active site to ensure timely resolution of community concerns. Afternoons might be dedicated to the technical side of the role, such as configuring sustainability metrics in the FigBytes platform or preparing inputs for the global sustainability report. You will likely interact with regional leadership to ensure that sustainability initiatives are being effectively implemented at fixed sites and operational offices.

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

Given the scale of McDermott, this role offers a clear path toward executive sustainability leadership. The experience gained in managing complex, multi-country programs provides the foundational skills necessary for global director or Chief Sustainability Officer positions within the industrial or energy sectors. There are also opportunities for lateral growth into strategic risk management or supply chain leadership, as the role interacts heavily with these functions. Lead roles in high-visibility projects, such as offshore wind infrastructure, offer a chance to specialize in the fastest-growing segments of the energy transition.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

Internal stakeholders include Project Management, Supply Chain, HR, and Legal, with whom you will collaborate to integrate sustainability into standard operating procedures. You will also serve as a key advisor to Commercial and Operations teams, helping them navigate social and environmental risks during the proposal phase. External stakeholders are diverse, ranging from clients and joint venture partners to government officials and community leaders. You will also represent the company in industry organizations and at regional conferences, building partnerships with non-profits and industry networks to promote sustainable energy practices.

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