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Manager Sustainability & Communication

Henkel • Germany • Added on Jul 6, 2026
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This role bridges the gap between technical sustainability progress and strategic storytelling by driving the narrative for Adhesive Technologies. You will take ownership of how sustainability translates into business value, transforming complex regulatory and innovation data into compelling stories for global audiences. Your focus will be on strengthening the company’s reputation as a leader while moving the internal needle on sustainability adoption.

The position is critical because it moves beyond reporting to genuine advocacy. By positioning sustainability as a primary value driver for industrial customers and partners, you ensure that Henkel’s ambitious environmental goals are integrated into the commercial growth strategy. You will play a vital part in demonstrating how chemical innovation can directly contribute to a more sustainable future for global industries.

This suits someone who possesses a sharp strategic mind and a flair for creative communication in a matrixed environment. You should be comfortable influencing senior leaders and have a background in sustainability or corporate communications within industrial sectors.

Perguntas frequentes da vaga

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The primary mission is to shape and amplify the global sustainability narrative for the Adhesive Technologies business unit. You will be responsible for translating intricate regulatory requirements and technical innovations into clear, business-relevant stories that resonate with customers and internal teams. This involves managing thought leadership initiatives and ensuring that sustainability is seen as a key driver of commercial impact. Beyond storytelling, you will design and deliver strategic engagement programs such as global forums, workshops, and learning journeys. These initiatives are intended to accelerate sustainability adoption across the organization. You will also empower employees by creating activation campaigns that foster behavioral change and increase awareness of the brand's ESG achievements.

Key learning opportunities for this job

In this role, you will gain unparalleled exposure to the intersection of chemical innovation and ESG regulations. Managing circularity and decarbonization narratives in an industrial context provides a deep understanding of the technical challenges brands face in reaching net-zero. You will learn to navigate a massive, matrixed organization, refining your ability to influence without formal authority. There is also significant opportunity to master advanced stakeholer engagement techniques. By designing learning experiences and executive forums, you will develop skills in educational design and high-level facilitation. Working at Henkel offers a front-row seat to how a century-old industry leader pivots its entire business model toward sustainable systems.

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

The ideal candidate brings at least 5 years of experience in sustainability or corporate communications, specifically within a global or matrixed corporate structure. You should have a proven track record of building powerful narratives that inspire action rather than just providing information. A background in psychology, marketing, or business administration is preferred alongside a deep interest in environmental issues. Soft skills are paramount here; you need the confidence to challenge conventional thinking and the entrepreneurial mindset to experiment with new communication formats. Fluency in English is essential for global collaboration, and the ability to simplify complex industrial concepts for diverse audiences—from technical experts to C-suite executives—is a must-have trait.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, move beyond listing your communication skills and instead demonstrate your impact on business growth through sustainability storytelling. Provide examples where your communication strategy directly influenced stakeholder decision-making or accelerated the adoption of a specific ESG initiative. Henkel values 'Pioneers at heart', so highlight instances where you introduced innovative formats or challenged the status quo. Tailor your application to show an understanding of the Adhesive Technologies sector specifically. This is a B2B environment, so your ability to articulate how sustainability creates value for industrial customers—rather than just end-consumers—will be highly valued. Familiarity with the specific ESG challenges of the chemical industry will demonstrate your readiness for this technical landscape.

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

The role focuses heavily on social and governance aspects of environmental stewardship, specifically on how strategy is communicated and adopted. You will likely focus on projects related to the circular economy, low-carbon adhesive solutions, and how these innovations meet the evolving regulatory landscape like the EU Green Claims Directive. Additionally, there is a strong focus on behavioral change and internal culture. By creating capability-building initiatives, you are essentially driving the 'S' and 'G' by ensuring that the workforce is educated and the organization is aligned with its stated environmental targets. Your work bridges the gap between corporate-level ESG commitments and regional implementation.

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

One of the chief challenges will be managing complexity within a massive global matrix. Driving alignment across different functions, regions, and business units with varying priorities can be slow and requires significant diplomatic skill. You will need to maintain a consistent global narrative while ensuring it remains relevant to local market conditions. You may also face the challenge of translating highly technical data into engaging content without oversimplifying or risking greenwashing. Balancing the need for creative, 'buzzy' communications with the strict accuracy required by sustainability reporting standards and technical experts requires constant vigilance and a sharp eye for detail.

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

A typical day might begin with a cross-functional meeting involving R&D and Marketing to discuss an upcoming launch of a bio-based product. You would then spend time drafting a thought leadership piece for a senior executive or designing a digital campaign to engage employees in a new waste-reduction initiative. The morning is usually high-paced and collaborative. In the afternoon, you might shift to project management, reviewing the progress of a global customer event or coordinating with regional leads to adapt a sustainability story for different markets. You will likely spend time analyzing regulatory updates to ensure your messaging remains compliant and ahead of the curve, ending the day with a strategy session on long-term sustainability positioning.

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

Henkel is known for its diverse international growth paths. Success in this role could lead to more senior strategic roles within the global sustainability team or a move into corporate leadership. Because you are working closely with senior leaders and across various functions, you are highly visible within the organization, which often opens doors to lateral moves in marketing or business strategy. Furthermore, the company offers global wellbeing standards and extensive training programs that support long-term professional development. The focus on 'pioneering' means that those who demonstrate an ability to drive change are often rewarded with leadership of high-priority, high-impact projects that shape the future of the chemical industry.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will interact daily with senior business leaders within Adhesive Technologies to align narratives with commercial goals. Your primary internal partners include the R&D, Marketing, and Sales teams, who provide the innovative 'proof points' for your stories. You will also collaborate closely with the central Corporate Communications and Sustainability departments to ensure global alignment. Externally, you will engage with industrial customers and partners, often through executive forums and workshops. You may also interact with industry associations and thought leaders in the sustainability space to build the company’s reputation. Balancing the needs of these diverse groups—from technical engineers to sustainability advocates—is central to the role.

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