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Sustainability Manager

Criterion Capital • United Kingdom • Added on Sep 4, 2026
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As the first dedicated sustainability hire, you will take full ownership of the environmental performance across a diverse real estate portfolio. You will be responsible for defining the overarching sustainability strategy and ensuring every construction project meets rigorous green standards from the drawing board to the final build. This is a hands-on leadership role that balances high-level policy work with practical onsite support.

This position is vital because you are bridging the gap between ambitious climate targets and the reality of the built environment. By embedding circular economy principles and BREEAM excellence into the core of the business, you directly influence the long-term decarbonization of the London property market. You have the unique chance to build a department from scratch, turning a lean operation into a benchmark for sustainable development.

This suits someone who is a technical expert in sustainable construction but possesses the entrepreneurial drive to grow a team. You should be as comfortable discussing energy modeling with architects as you are checking waste management protocols on a busy construction site.

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What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

You will serve as the primary architect of the company’s environmental roadmap, moving between high-level strategic planning and technical project execution. Your work involves ensuring that all new developments and refurbishments adhere to strict sustainability benchmarks, specifically guiding teams through the complexities of BREEAM certification. Beyond policy creation, you are responsible for the tangible environmental impact of the portfolio. This includes vetting the supply chain for low-carbon materials, monitoring onsite energy usage, and establishing a robust reporting framework that tracks progress against net-zero targets for the entire organization.

Key learning opportunities for this job

This role offers a masterclass in green building life cycles, providing deep exposure to how sustainability integrates with commercial real estate finance and design. You will gain significant experience in organizational design as you lay the foundation for a new department, learning how to scale a function within a fast-paced investment environment. Given the focus on BREEAM, you will likely refine your expertise in technical environmental auditing and legislation. There is also a strong opportunity to stay at the forefront of PropTech by identifying and implementing new technologies that reduce the carbon footprint of building operations.

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

The successful candidate should have at least 2 to 3 years of experience specifically within the construction or real estate sectors. Technical literacy in environmental standards is non-negotiable, and being a BREEAM Accredited Professional (AP) is a significant advantage that will set you apart from other applicants. We are looking for a professional who combines meticulous attention to detail with the soft skills needed to influence diverse stakeholders. You must be proactive, able to manage multiple project deadlines simultaneously, and possess the leadership potential to eventually manage a team of specialists.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, your application should demonstrate a track record of integrating sustainability into the commercial design process rather than just treating it as a compliance checklist. Provide specific examples of how you have influenced a project's outcome through sustainable material selection or energy-saving innovations. In your interview, emphasize your understanding of the London property market and current UK environmental legislation. Showing that you understand the tension between commercial feasibility and ambitious ESG goals—and how to navigate that balance—will demonstrate the maturity needed for this senior role.

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

The role focuses heavily on the environmental pillar of ESG, specifically regarding embodied carbon and operational energy efficiency. You will be the gatekeeper for sustainable procurement, ensuring that the materials used in construction have a lower environmental impact and align with circular economy principles. Social and governance aspects are also present, as you will be ensuring legal compliance and transparent reporting for investors. Your work will directly impact the company's long-term resilience against climate-related financial risks and evolving urban planning requirements in the UK.

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

One of the primary challenges will be managing change within an established design and construction workflow. Sustainability requirements can sometimes be perceived as a constraint on budget or timeline, so you will need to be an effective negotiator to prove the long-term value of these initiatives. Additionally, being the first person in this role means you must create your own structures and processes from scratch. Balancing the immediate needs of active construction sites with the long-term goal of building a departmental strategy will require exceptional time management and mental agility.

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

A typical day might begin with a design team meeting to review BREEAM credits for a new acquisition, followed by a trip to a live construction site to audit waste management practices. You will likely spend your afternoons analyzing data to produce performance reports for the executive board. You might also find yourself researching emerging technologies or legislative changes that could impact future developments. Communication is constant, whether you are providing technical guidance to project managers or negotiating with suppliers about the transparency of their carbon reporting.

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

There is a clear and explicit path to departmental leadership. As the function proves its value, you are expected to hire and lead a team of sustainability professionals, transitioning from an individual contributor to a strategic manager. Because the role is central to the company’s asset management strategy, you will gain high visibility with senior leadership. This exposure, combined with the ownership of a company-wide strategy, positions you for future executive roles within the sustainable real estate space.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

Internal stakeholders include the design and development teams, project managers, and the procurement department, all of whom you will need to align with your sustainability goals. You will also report directly to senior leadership regarding the company's overall ESG progress. Externally, you will interact with BREEAM assessors, architects, and contractors. You will also serve as a key point of contact for external investors who require transparency on the environmental performance of the assets they are funding.

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