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Head of Environment

M Group • United Kingdom • Added on Jun 13, 2026
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As the strategic lead for the division’s environmental agenda, you will take ownership of the environmental management systems and sustainability performance across diverse infrastructure projects. Your primary focus is to embed a proactive culture where compliance and performance improvements go hand-in-hand with business growth.

This role is critical because it directly influences how the UK’s essential infrastructure is modernized to meet Net Zero targets and climate adaptation needs. You will be at the forefront of the energy transition, ensuring that large-scale utility and transmission projects are delivered with minimal environmental impact and maximal social value.

This suits someone who is a Chartered environmental professional with a deep understanding of UK legislation and the gravitas to influence senior-level stakeholders across complex, multi-site operations.

Perguntas frequentes da vaga

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

As a senior leader, you will be responsible for the strategic direction of the division’s environmental and sustainability programmes. You will oversee the development and implementation of environmental management systems that align with ISO 14001 standards while ensuring every project meets strict UK regulatory requirements. Beyond oversight, you will drive business development by positioning the company as a sector leader in sustainability. This involves collaborating on bids and work-winning strategies to demonstrate how the division adds value through responsible infrastructure delivery.

Key learning opportunities for this job

You will gain significant exposure to the complexities of large-scale energy infrastructure, including High Voltage transmission and home decarbonisation markets. This provides a unique vantage point on the UK’s energy transition and the practical application of Net Zero strategies in a technical environment. The role also offers the chance to deepen your expertise in Development Consent Orders (DCO) and Section 37 agreements, which are critical for major national projects. You will likely engage with emerging digital tools for environmental reporting and KPI tracking, enhancing your technical literacy in green data.

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

The successful candidate will be a Chartered professional (CEnv or equivalent) with a degree in Environmental Science or a related discipline. Extensive experience in senior leadership roles within the construction, utilities, or infrastructure sectors is essential for navigating the operational complexities of M Group. Soft skills are just as vital; you need a visible and engaging leadership style to influence behaviours across 230 locations. A proven track record of managing budgets, leading diverse teams, and achieving high scores in external audits like Achilles is highly valued.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

Focus your application on specific examples where you have successfully led cultural change within an organization. M Group is looking for someone who can translate complex environmental requirements into actionable, frontline-friendly practices that staff at all levels can embrace. Highlight your experience with UK environmental legislation and planning permissions. Since this role involves significant travel and multi-site management, demonstrate your ability to maintain consistent standards and high-performing teams across geographically dispersed locations.

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

The core focus of this role is the intersection of environment and operations. You will be primarily concerned with the carbon footprint of infrastructure projects, biodiversity net gain on construction sites, and waste reduction across the energy division. Additionally, you will support the group's broader decarbonisation goals. This includes assisting clients with EV infrastructure and sustainable network maintenance, ensuring that the company’s internal operations mirror the green solutions they provide to the market.

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

The most significant challenge will be driving cultural consistency across a workforce of thousands in multiple locations. Ensuring that every site adheres to the same high standards of environmental stewardship requires constant vigilance and effective communication. You may also face the difficulty of balancing rapid business growth with increasingly stringent environmental regulations. Maintaining compliance while meeting tight project timelines and budgets requires a solution-oriented mindset and strong negotiation skills with both internal managers and external regulators.

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

A typical day might begin with a strategic review meeting with the senior leadership team to discuss environmental KPIs and long-term sustainability targets. You could then transition into a technical session focused on a specific project’s planning permissions or regulatory compliance hurdles. Afternoon hours are often dedicated to site visits or stakeholder engagement. You might meet with environmental regulators or clients to discuss contract performance, followed by time spent mentoring your regional environmental managers to ensure they have the resources needed for upcoming audits.

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

This role offers a platform for executive-level visibility. Success here can lead to Group-wide leadership roles or specialized director positions within the EHS and Sustainability functions of a multi-billion pound turnover organization. Given M Group's involvement in critical national infrastructure, you will be well-positioned to become a recognized industry expert. Participation in industry forums and standard-setting bodies is encouraged, which can significantly enhance your professional profile and network within the UK energy sector.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will interact daily with Senior Divisional Leadership and the Group SHEQ team to ensure alignment with corporate objectives. Your team of environmental and sustainability specialists will look to you for guidance on technical issues and career development. Externally, your main points of contact will be Regulators (such as the Environment Agency), major utility clients, and local planning authorities. You will also collaborate with subcontractors and supply chain partners to ensure that sustainability standards are upheld throughout the project lifecycle.

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