Acre is proud to be supporting a global business services organisation with over 30 years' experience supporting companies to grow and adapt to changing market conditions. Operating across multiple countries and continents, they provide a range of solutions spanning fleet, connectivity, energy, and related services to SME and enterprise clients. Their mission is to help organisations of all sizes respond effectively to market change and capitalise on emerging opportunities.
The Position
This is a critical role within the Sustainability & ESG team. Our client is seeking an experienced compliance professional with a strong understanding of sustainability legislation to take ownership of the Environmental Management System (EMS), lead environmental compliance activity, and ensure the organisation meets its obligations across sustainability reporting, environmental management, mobility/automotive regulation, and energy/EV legislation. A key priority will be preparing for the updated ISO14001:2026 standard and expanding EMS coverage. The role will also establish a Group-wide view of sustainability compliance obligations to ensure readiness for emerging regulations.
This role reports to the Climate Change & Environment Manager and works closely with ESG team members and cross-functional stakeholders, including Facilities, Legal, Risk & Compliance, Finance, and international business units.
Key Responsibilities
Environmental Compliance & EMS
- Own and manage the Environmental Management System (EMS), ensuring alignment with ISO14001 standards
- Lead preparation for ISO14001:2026 updates
- Expand EMS scope across operational sites
- Maintain EMS documentation, policies, and procedures
- Drive continuous improvement aligned with regulatory and business needs
- Develop environmental compliance strategy and reporting frameworks
- Maintain environmental compliance registers (initially UK & Ireland, expanding globally)
- Liaise with regulators and stakeholders on environmental matters
Environmental & Sustainability Reporting Compliance
- Maintain a register of sustainability and environmental reporting obligations (e.g. licences, WEEE, packaging regulations)
- Monitor emerging legislation and provide horizon scanning
- Conduct gap analyses and readiness assessments
- Ensure compliance with reporting deadlines
- Support business units in interpreting and applying relevant legislation
Engagement & Site Accountability
- Drive site-level engagement with EMS while maintaining central oversight
- Establish regular communication with operational sites
- Implement self-audit processes for compliance monitoring
- Support operational teams with sustainability initiatives and queries
Risk & Opportunities
- Implement a structured risk management approach (e.g. three lines of defence model)
- Maintain environmental risk registers and controls
Reporting
- Provide quarterly EMS performance updates to senior stakeholders
- Deliver regular updates on sustainability compliance developments
Training
- Develop and maintain compliance training programmes
- Drive engagement with employees and stakeholders on sustainability initiatives
Supporting Carbon & Environmental Data
- Support data collection for sustainability reporting (e.g. SECR, ESOS, carbon footprinting)
Key Requirements
Technical Experience
- Significant experience in environmental/sustainability compliance (circa 10 years preferred)
- Strong expertise in ISO 14001 implementation and audit within multi-site environments
- Broad understanding of sustainability compliance, reporting frameworks, and relevant sector regulations
- Strong knowledge of UK and European environmental legislation
- Experience managing legal/compliance registers
- Ability to interpret emerging sustainability reporting requirements
- Experience working with regulatory authorities
Skills & Behaviours
- Pragmatic and commercially aware approach
- Self-motivated and able to work independently
- Solutions-oriented with strong problem-solving skills
- Experience in ESG roles within multi-site and/or international organisations
- Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills
- Strategic thinker with the ability to drive change
- Excellent communication, analytical, and organisational skills
- Strong project management capabilities
- Ability to work across all levels of an organisation
If this role speaks to you, please apply directly!
