Head of Environmental Sustainability

Acre is pleased to be working in partnership with a leading Global Law firm to identify their new Head of Environmental Sustainability. In this global role, reporting to the Director of Business Services, you will be responsible for the firm's strategic response to climate change and the reduction of its carbon footprint across the firm's global portfolio. This will involve the development of the strategy and then owning the responsibility for the successful implementation of the plan through your team.

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The role also has management responsibility for the firm's Health and Safety, Physical Security and Business Continuity policy frameworks, though the role does not need specialist expertise in these areas as there is already an established and senior team of global managers in place who can deliver the firms strategy across these disciplines.

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The role requires close collaboration with an array of senior stakeholders and risk functions across the business globally. You will engage regularly with co-heads of Pro Bono and Community Investment (PBCI), Diversity and Procurement to help develop the sustainability strategy.

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It is critical that you must have a detailed understanding of environmental & sustainability issues and be capable of managing other senior members with a diverse skill set.

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Role and responsibilities

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Environment/Health & Safety

• Directly manage and supervise the Environment Sustainability Manager to deliver (where appropriate) the integration of Environmental and Health & Safety best practice, with the drive for continuous improvement of standards across the global network in a manner consistent with ISO 14001.

• Identify and exploit sustainability opportunities, whilst remaining sensitive to local appetite, to deliver truly global Environment and H&S standards for all staff, ensuring that the benefits of such an approach are fully understood by the Partner community and that firm's sector leading approach is reflected in their global branding.

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People and team management

• The Head of Environmental Sustainability will have direct line management responsibility for the Senior Managers of Global Security, Business Continuity and Environment, taking overall responsibility for all related policies, processes, and issues.

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Physical and Personnel Security and Business Continuity Management

• Oversee the deliverables of the Global Security Senior Manager to ensure a consistent standard for physical and personnel security across the global network and supervise any responses to security events, incidents, or crisis, which require leadership and contingency planning.

This role would suit a senior leader with significant global environmental experience, coupled with the ability to engage across the wider business and resilience function. You will need to have subject matter expertise across environment and sustainability and be capable of engaging across the other functions in a strategic manner.

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Key requirements

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• Significant people management experience

• Expert knowledge of carbon reduction and net-zero strategies, particularly on Science- Based Target's

• The ability to work outside your area of expertise to manage the development of Security and Business Continuity strategy and policy

• Excellent leadership skills and the ability to influence, inspire confidence and build consensus at all levels

• Able to resolve complex problems, taking a proactive approach to analysing the issues whilst being solutions focused

• Thrive in a high-pressure environment and have a flexible approach to work and be able to cope with ambiguity

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This is a unique opportunity to join one of the largest Law firms in the world in a high-profile, impactful sustainability position. Apply today for more information.