Head of Sustainability

Location: Flexible working with visits to our office in Wimbledon as and when required

Contract Type: Permanent

We have a great opportunity for a Head of Sustainability to join our Strategy & Corporate Development team here at Domestic & General. The role is responsible for leading our sustainability efforts across the organisation. This involves overseeing the implementation of our sustainability strategy, managing key strategic initiatives such as decarbonisation, and fostering a strong culture of sustainability within the organisation. A highly collaborative and agile role, they will work within a small but agile team, working closely with cross-functional teams to deliver meaningful sustainability and business impact.

This role is critical to the delivery of the sustainability strategy, ensuring D&G's sustainability approach not only meets and/or exceeds stakeholder expectations, but aligns to and supports the overall delivery of our business strategy.

At Domestic & General, we are proud of our 100-year legacy and excited about our future growth plans. We are expanding our horizons, entering new markets and territories internationally and we need your expertise to help us on the journey.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic transformation:

• Oversee the implementation of the sustainability strategy, developing and deploying a portfolio of strategic initiatives, including:
  • Decarbonisation: establish a climate and decarbonisation action plan in line with our GHG reduction targets and climate ambitions
  • Customers and partners: establish key engagement channels to optimise our sustainability communication and influence
  • People and business: work with People and other key functions across the business to determine appropriate people and business-related sustainability initiatives, ownership and deliverables
• Establish targets and KPIs to track progress against each strategic pillar

Reporting and compliance:

• Oversee the development of a programme to meet strategic disclosure requirements including the EU's Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), International Sustainability Standards Board's IFRS S1 General Sustainability and S2 Climate-related Disclosures, and the UK's Climate-related Financial Disclosures Work with relevant teams to implement robust ESG data system and processes, including ownership and governance processes to facilitate high-quality, non-financial data outputs in preparation for future audit and disclosure requirements
• Ensure compliance with other relevant sustainability requirements, e.g. SECR and ESOS
• Establish/maintain a register of relevant ESG-related regulatory and market developments
• Work with Risk to ensure adequate risk controls and governance processes are in place to mitigate to, adapt, or manage ESG risks, including maintenance of relevant ESG policies

Operational excellence:

• Establishing an effective operating model for sustainability across the organisation to enable coordinated delivery of the sustainability strategy in alignment with the business strategy
• Identify sustainability opportunities and establish a clear business case where relevant, including decarbonisation and resource use, client partnerships, employee engagement and other initiatives
• Provide high-quality, quarterly updates to the Board Sustainability Committee and relevant Management committees

Engagement and thought leadership:

• Foster a culture of sustainability within the organisation through effective communication, engagement and training
• Represent the organisation in sustainability forums, public engagements and participating in relevant industry working groups and committees
• Work with Internal and External Communications to clearly communicate our sustainability goals, initiatives and achievements to various stakeholder groups
• Develop strategic partnership opportunities with external stakeholders to enhance the organisations sustainability efforts and influence industry practices
• Provide SME input to thought leadership content such as white papers, reports and articles to demonstrate the organisations commitment and progress towards sustainability

Skills and experience required:

• Extensive practical experience working within sustainability (in-house or consultancy) with a track record of demonstrable success developing and implementing sustainability strategies and programmes
• Strong business acumen and ability to align sustainability objectives with business goals and financial considerations
• In-depth knowledge of the sustainability landscape including regulatory, disclosure, and market developments
• In depth experience and knowledge of voluntary ESG frameworks (e.g. GRI, TCFD, SASB, UNGC) and emerging ESG regulations and standards (e.g. CSRD, IFRS S1 and S1, TPT).
• Ability to build and maintain a strong network of external stakeholders, including industry bodies, regulators, NGOs, investors and other relevant entities
• Excellent interpersonal and influencing skills with the ability to engage and collaborate with stakeholders on all levels including Executive and Board

We offer lots of great benefits! Some of which include:

• Competitive salary and annual discretionary bonus
• 25 days annual leave plus bank/public holidays, as well as an annual option to buy up to 5 additional days of annual leave
• Training opportunities as well as clearly defined career progression
• Health cash plan - employer funded cover to enable you to claim money back on essential healthcare costs, including dental, optical, physiotherapy and many more. Cover also includes unlimited access to a 24/7 virtual GP service
• Attractive company pension scheme
• Life assurance - employer funded cover of 4x basic salary
• Dedicated online benefit portal offering access to saving and lending facilities, financial wellbeing and support services:
• Salary Finance - access to savings and borrowing through payroll
• Car Leasing - access to a carbon neutral salary sacrifice car leasing scheme, with an all-inclusive monthly cost covering all charge, taxes, insurance, repairs and maintenance on a range of brand new vehicles
• Travel Loans - interest free loans to help spread the cost of annual travel tickets
• Cycle to Work - tax efficient bike and cycling equipment worth up to £1,000
• Health & Wellbeing - discounted gym membership, online virtual workout sessions, online culinary classes
• OnHand - Giving you the opportunity to be an Eco & Social volunteer via a handy app. Volunteer individually or in groups to get involved in Youth Mentoring, Food Poverty, Homelessness & Elderly help.
• Employee Assistance Programme - specialist advice and support on issues such as finance, relationships, illness and family issues
• Free Domestic & General protection plan - one free plan each year with access to discounted rates of up to 50% on additional plans, including referrals for family and friends
• Employee discounts - access to discounted Sky TV and broadband packages, together with a range of discounts for 100s of online and high street retailers

Domestic & General are an equal opportunities employer which means we treat people fairly. We welcome applications from all suitably skilled persons regardless of their gender, age, race, disability, ethnic background, religion/belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment or marital/family status.

Please note that we have a thorough referencing process, which includes criminal record checks.