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

The primary mission is to own and refresh the global environmental sustainability roadmap , focusing on energy, carbon, water, and waste management. You will be responsible for translating corporate climate targets into tangible operating plans, ensuring that global commitments are broken down into specific initiatives with clear funding and timelines. You will also define and maintain governance frameworks and RACI models across various functions such as Real Estate, Lab Operations, and Procurement. By establishing a clear operating cadence, you ensure that performance is tracked, monitored, and reported accurately against enterprise objectives, facilitating continuous improvement across the company's global footprint.

Q: Key learning opportunities for this job

In this role, you will gain deep exposure to applied safety science and how it intersects with modern environmental governance. You will develop expertise in managing enterprise-wide sustainability portfolios at a scale that reaches 110 countries, providing a masterclass in global project management and cross-border regulatory compliance. Additionally, there is significant opportunity to refine your financial and capital planning skills . By advocating for budget inputs and partnering with finance teams, you will learn how to build robust business cases for sustainability investments, aligning environmental benefits with realized financial performance in a publicly traded company environment.

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

The ideal candidate brings at least 7 to 10 years of experience leading corporate sustainability or climate action programs within a global or multi-site context. A strong background in engineering, environmental science, or business is essential, ideally supplemented by credentials such as LEED AP or Certified Energy Manager (CEM) . Beyond technical expertise, you should be a persuasive communicator capable of influencing stakeholders at all levels. Experience in PMP-style program management is highly valued, as the role requires managing multiple complex workstreams simultaneously while remaining adaptable to shifting corporate priorities and global market dynamics.

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

The role is primarily focused on operational footprint sustainability . This includes managing the climate action plan to reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions through energy efficiency and renewable energy procurement across offices and laboratory sites worldwide. Furthermore, you will likely address resource circularity and water stewardship . By identifying areas for recycling, pollution reduction, and sustainable building design, you will ensure the company's physical infrastructure remains as sustainable as the innovative products and services they help their customers bring to market.

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

One significant challenge will be driving accountability across decentralized teams . While you own the strategy and governance, the actual delivery and funding often reside within localized business and operations teams, requiring exceptional negotiation skills to keep everyone aligned with global targets. Another challenge involves managing complexity at scale . Balancing various regulatory requirements across different jurisdictions while maintaining a standardized global process for data and reporting necessitates a high level of detail-orientation and a robust understanding of international environmental law.

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

A typical day might begin with chairing a governance review with site champions to monitor the progress of energy-saving initiatives. You might transition into a meeting with Finance and Facilities leaders to discuss capital allocation for upcoming HVAC upgrades or onsite solar installations. Afternoons could be spent analyzing global performance data to identify gaps in progress or developing new playbooks and tools to help site managers implement circularity programs. You will likely end the day communicating with external consultants or internal subject matter experts to stay updated on emerging environmental regulations.

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

Growth in this role comes from its high internal visibility and its mission-critical nature. Managing the environmental program for a NYSE-listed leader in safety science puts you at the forefront of corporate ESG evolution, potentially leading to senior director or executive leadership positions in sustainability. You also have the chance to become a recognized subject matter expert in the intersection of safety and sustainability. This dual expertise is increasingly valuable, offering lateral and vertical growth paths in risk management, corporate strategy, or operational excellence within the broader professional services industry.

Q: The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

Your primary internal stakeholders include Corporate Sustainability leaders, Facilities/Real Estate managers, and ESG Controllership . You will also work closely with Lab Operations and Procurement to ensure that sustainability initiatives are integrated into the core day-to-day business functions. Externally, you will interact with environmental consultants and regulatory bodies . You may also engage with customers and partners who look to the UL Mark as a sign of trust, ensuring that the company’s internal operations reflect the sustainability values they promote to the outside world.

Question 1

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

Accepted Answer

The primary mission is to own and refresh the global environmental sustainability roadmap, focusing on energy, carbon, water, and waste management. You will be responsible for translating corporate climate targets into tangible operating plans, ensuring that global commitments are broken down into specific initiatives with clear funding and timelines. You will also define and maintain governance frameworks and RACI models across various functions such as Real Estate, Lab Operations, and Procurement. By establishing a clear operating cadence, you ensure that performance is tracked, monitored, and reported accurately against enterprise objectives, facilitating continuous improvement across the company's global footprint.

Question 2

Key learning opportunities for this job

Accepted Answer

In this role, you will gain deep exposure to applied safety science and how it intersects with modern environmental governance. You will develop expertise in managing enterprise-wide sustainability portfolios at a scale that reaches 110 countries, providing a masterclass in global project management and cross-border regulatory compliance. Additionally, there is significant opportunity to refine your financial and capital planning skills. By advocating for budget inputs and partnering with finance teams, you will learn how to build robust business cases for sustainability investments, aligning environmental benefits with realized financial performance in a publicly traded company environment.

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

The ideal candidate brings at least 7 to 10 years of experience leading corporate sustainability or climate action programs within a global or multi-site context. A strong background in engineering, environmental science, or business is essential, ideally supplemented by credentials such as LEED AP or Certified Energy Manager (CEM). Beyond technical expertise, you should be a persuasive communicator capable of influencing stakeholders at all levels. Experience in PMP-style program management is highly valued, as the role requires managing multiple complex workstreams simultaneously while remaining adaptable to shifting corporate priorities and global market dynamics.

Question 4

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

Accepted Answer

To stand out, demonstrate your ability to bridge the gap between high-level strategy and operational execution. Provide specific examples of where you have successfully navigated capital planning or influenced investment decisions to favor sustainability goals without compromising business performance. Focus your application on your experience with global governance. UL Solutions is a science-driven company, so highlighting your data-driven approach to carbon accounting and your familiarity with established standards like the GHG Protocol or Science Based Targets will demonstrate your alignment with their rigorous analytical culture.

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

The role is primarily focused on operational footprint sustainability. This includes managing the climate action plan to reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions through energy efficiency and renewable energy procurement across offices and laboratory sites worldwide. Furthermore, you will likely address resource circularity and water stewardship. By identifying areas for recycling, pollution reduction, and sustainable building design, you will ensure the company's physical infrastructure remains as sustainable as the innovative products and services they help their customers bring to market.

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

One significant challenge will be driving accountability across decentralized teams. While you own the strategy and governance, the actual delivery and funding often reside within localized business and operations teams, requiring exceptional negotiation skills to keep everyone aligned with global targets. Another challenge involves managing complexity at scale. Balancing various regulatory requirements across different jurisdictions while maintaining a standardized global process for data and reporting necessitates a high level of detail-orientation and a robust understanding of international environmental law.

Question 7

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

Accepted Answer

A typical day might begin with chairing a governance review with site champions to monitor the progress of energy-saving initiatives. You might transition into a meeting with Finance and Facilities leaders to discuss capital allocation for upcoming HVAC upgrades or onsite solar installations. Afternoons could be spent analyzing global performance data to identify gaps in progress or developing new playbooks and tools to help site managers implement circularity programs. You will likely end the day communicating with external consultants or internal subject matter experts to stay updated on emerging environmental regulations.

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

Growth in this role comes from its high internal visibility and its mission-critical nature. Managing the environmental program for a NYSE-listed leader in safety science puts you at the forefront of corporate ESG evolution, potentially leading to senior director or executive leadership positions in sustainability. You also have the chance to become a recognized subject matter expert in the intersection of safety and sustainability. This dual expertise is increasingly valuable, offering lateral and vertical growth paths in risk management, corporate strategy, or operational excellence within the broader professional services industry.

Question 9

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

Accepted Answer

Your primary internal stakeholders include Corporate Sustainability leaders, Facilities/Real Estate managers, and ESG Controllership. You will also work closely with Lab Operations and Procurement to ensure that sustainability initiatives are integrated into the core day-to-day business functions. Externally, you will interact with environmental consultants and regulatory bodies. You may also engage with customers and partners who look to the UL Mark as a sign of trust, ensuring that the company’s internal operations reflect the sustainability values they promote to the outside world.

Environmental Sustainability Manager

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