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Regional Environmental and Sustainability Manager

SES Engineering Services • United Kingdom • Added on Sep 16, 2026
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As a Regional Environmental and Sustainability Manager, you will act as the bridge between high-level strategy and site-level execution for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing projects. You will be responsible for implementing the Environmental Sustainability Implementation Plan across the region, turning net-zero targets into actionable project workflows. This role involves coaching site teams, analyzing environmental data to mitigate risks, and supporting bid teams to ensure sustainability is baked into every new contract.

This position is vital because MEP systems are the lifeblood of building performance; optimizing them is one of the most effective ways to reduce the built environment’s carbon footprint. By driving innovation in circularity and resource efficiency at a regional level, you directly contribute to decarbonizing complex UK infrastructure. It is a rare chance to see tangible environmental improvements across diverse, high-tech engineering sites.

This suits someone who possesses a strong engineering or environmental background and thrives on influencing behavioral change. You should be equally comfortable interpreting technical carbon data and leading workshops for site-based champions.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The core of this role involves leading the regional rollout of the Environmental Sustainability Implementation Plan. You will be the primary subject matter expert for local teams, ensuring that sustainability is integrated into every stage of the project lifecycle, from initial bids to final delivery. Daily responsibilities include monitoring project sustainability data to identify performance gaps and local trends. You will also provide functional support to the SHEQ team, ensuring environmental compliance and promoting safe-by-design principles that minimize impact. Beyond data, you are responsible for behavioral change. This involves building a regional network of sustainability champions, facilitating upskilling workshops, and managing local budgets to ensure environmental targets are not just theoretical but practically achieved.

Key learning opportunities for this job

In this position, you will gain deep technical expertise in MEP-specific sustainability, which is a highly specialized niche within the built environment. You will likely develop a sophisticated understanding of how complex mechanical and electrical systems contribute to whole-life carbon assessments. Exposure to digital excellence and offsite manufacturing will provide insights into modern methods of construction that drive efficiency. Working alongside the strategic centre team offers a unique vantage point on how corporate net-zero strategies are translated into regional operational tactics. Additionally, the role offers significant experience in change management and professional coaching. You will refine your ability to influence diverse stakeholders, from site engineers to executive leadership, while potentially working toward advanced IEMA certifications supported by the company.

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

The successful candidate should have a solid foundation in environmental science or engineering, complemented by professional experience specifically within the built environment or MEP sector. A degree in a related field is expected, and membership in a body like IEMA is highly desirable. Technical proficiency in carbon strategies, circular economy principles, and nature-positive approaches is essential. You must be able to translate complex environmental legislation into clear, actionable advice for non-specialist teams. Soft skills are equally important; the role requires a persuasive communicator who can drive engagement and facilitate workshops. You should be data-literate, capable of interpreting environmental metrics to inform regional decision-making and project reporting.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, your application should demonstrate a clear understanding of the MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing) sector's specific environmental challenges. Avoid generic sustainability statements; instead, highlight your experience with resource efficiency or carbon reduction in high-tech engineering environments. Showcase your ability to influence without direct authority. Provide examples of where you have led behavioral change or successfully managed a network of champions. This role is as much about people and culture as it is about environmental technicalities. Tailor your CV to reflect your experience with bid support. Mentioning how you have previously aligned sustainability strategies with customer requirements or helped secure contracts through high-quality environmental reporting will resonate strongly with the recruitment team.

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

The role focuses heavily on the decarbonization of the built environment, specifically through the lens of engineering systems. You will likely spend significant time on carbon strategy implementation and improving resource efficiency across complex project sites. Circularity and waste reduction are key pillars, as MEP projects often involve high volumes of materials. You will be tasked with finding ways to integrate circular principles into project delivery and supply chain management. There is also a strong emphasis on compliance and risk mitigation. You will ensure that all regional activities align with current environmental legislation and the company's internal 'safebydesign' principles, contributing to a broader 'nature positive' corporate agenda.

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

One of the primary challenges will be driving consistency across diverse project sites that may have different operational pressures and client expectations. Balancing strict sustainability targets with project timelines and budgets requires significant diplomatic skill. Translating strategic net-zero goals into daily site behaviors can be difficult. You may encounter resistance to new workflows or digital tools, necessitating a patient but persistent approach to coaching and mentoring. Data accuracy is another hurdle. Ensuring that environmental reporting from various regional projects is reliable and timely is crucial for corporate reporting, requiring you to implement robust monitoring processes across the supply chain.

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

A typical day might begin with a site visit to review environmental performance and meet with local sustainability champions. You might spend the morning coaching a project team on how to reduce site waste or improve carbon tracking during the installation phase. In the afternoon, your focus might shift to strategic collaboration with the centre sustainability team. This could involve contributing to national policy updates or helping the regional bid team craft a compelling sustainability response for a complex new infrastructure project. You will likely end the day analyzing environmental metrics and preparing reports. This involves identifying any regional performance trends that need addressing and communicating these insights to the SHEQ and operational leadership teams.

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

This role offers a clear path toward senior sustainability leadership within the engineering services sector. By acting as a liaison between regional operations and the strategic centre, you are positioned for high-visibility roles in corporate ESG management. There are opportunities for lateral growth into operational management or specialized SHEQ leadership roles. Given the company's focus on 'digital excellence,' you could also pivot into roles focusing on sustainable digital twin technology or green building innovation. SES Engineering Services emphasizes professional development, meaning you will have access to training budgets and mentorship programs. This support is designed to help you progress toward executive-level roles or specialized subject matter expertise in MEP sustainability.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will interact frequently with regional project managers and site teams, acting as their primary coach and technical advisor for all environmental matters. Building strong relationships here is vital for successful strategy implementation. At a corporate level, you will collaborate with the Strategic Centre Sustainability Team to align regional actions with national goals. You will also work closely with the SHEQ (Safety, Health, Environment, and Quality) team to ensure integrated compliance and risk management. External interactions include customers and supply chain partners. You will engage with clients to understand their sustainability ambitions and work with suppliers to drive innovation and best practices throughout the project delivery chain.

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