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Director Sustainability Central Europe

Sibelco Group • Netherlands • Added on Oct 29, 2026
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This regional director leads sustainability across six Central European countries, manages sustainability professionals and remains directly involved in permitting and land matters in the base country. The role connects operational environmental work with decisions about quarry development and the region’s long-term direction.

At Sibelco, minerals extraction and glass recycling bring environmental performance into close contact with site operations and local communities. The work spans permits and legal compliance, while also contributing to programs on greenhouse gas emissions, water, waste, biodiversity and mine closure. Its influence reaches decisions that shape how sites operate and how the business maintains its social licence.

This suits someone with substantial industrial environmental experience who can lead a regional team, work credibly with authorities and communities, and explain complex issues clearly to senior business leaders. Native Dutch and fluent English are specified, alongside practical expertise in environmental management and permitting.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The role leads sustainability activity across Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, the Czech Republic, Poland and Ukraine, while directly handling selected permitting and land matters in the base country. This includes environmental and mining permits, impact studies, community engagement and oversight of environmental risks and compliance. The director manages regional sustainability staff, supports operational improvements and contributes to global programs on emissions, water, waste, biodiversity and mine closure. They also provide timely environmental and sustainability reporting and advise the sub-regional leadership team.

Key learning opportunities for this job

The position offers exposure to how environmental requirements affect mineral operations, land decisions and quarry development across several regulatory systems. The role could deepen expertise in permitting, impact assessment, community engagement and mine closure planning. Working with the global sustainability team and regional executives may build experience in translating site-level environmental matters into business decisions and regional programs. The posting does not specify formal training or certification support.

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

The stated profile includes a university degree in law, geology, engineering or a related field, or equivalent experience, and at least seven years in environmental management, sustainability or a similar area. Strong knowledge of environmental legislation and its application in industry is important. The role calls for experience with regulators, communities and NGOs, alongside hands-on environmental expertise, sound business judgment and clear communication with senior leaders. Native Dutch and fluent English are specified; additional languages are an asset.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

Show how your environmental work has secured or maintained permits and operating conditions in an industrial setting. Give specific examples of your involvement with authorities, communities or NGOs, and clarify your personal contribution to the outcome. Connect your experience to the role's combination of regional leadership and direct permitting work. In interviews, explain how you have translated complex environmental risks into practical options for executives, and relate relevant experience to land, quarry development, biodiversity, water or closure planning.

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

The role is likely to focus on environmental compliance and the conditions that support Sibelco's legal and social licence to operate. Permitting, land management, impact studies and community relationships are prominent parts of the base-country remit. At regional level, the job contributes to programs and reporting covering greenhouse gas emissions, water stewardship, waste, biodiversity and mine closure. These priorities are relevant to a company that sources and processes industrial minerals and also operates in glass recycling.

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

The director will need to balance regional leadership with hands-on responsibility for permitting and land files in the base country. Keeping environmental standards consistent across six countries may also require adapting to different legal systems and operating contexts. Another challenge could be aligning site realities, community expectations and regulatory requirements with long-term business decisions. Clear prioritization and communication will matter when environmental risks or permit conditions affect operations and development plans.

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

A day could combine discussions with regional sustainability managers and specialists, review of environmental performance or reporting, and meetings with operations leaders. The director may also work directly on a permit, land matter or environmental study in the base country. Other days could involve engagement with authorities or communities, reviewing emerging risks at operational sites, or coordinating with the global sustainability team on emissions, water, waste, biodiversity or mine closure programs. The mix is likely to vary with permit timelines and site needs.

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

The role offers scope to build regional leadership experience while remaining close to operational environmental work. It may deepen expertise in permitting, land strategy and environmental performance across multiple countries and regulatory settings. Participation in the sub-regional leadership team and global sustainability programs could also broaden business and ESG strategy experience. The posting does not define a promotion path, so longer-term progression would depend on organizational needs and results.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

Key internal stakeholders include the sustainability managers and specialists reporting to the director, the sub-regional Vice President and leadership team, site operations and the global sustainability team. Their work involves coordinating standards, performance, risks and business decisions. External contacts are likely to include environmental and mining authorities, regulators, local communities and NGOs, particularly around permits, land, impact studies and site development. The role also connects those discussions with operational and regional priorities.

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