Environment & Sustainability Director (Maternity Cover)

Job Introduction

This is a 12-month Maternity cover position.

The primary purpose of this role is to provide leadership of Environment & Sustainability for SCS through the delivery of the design, construction and handover of the HS2 Main Works Civils Contract, providing strategic oversight to achieve client, programme and parent company objectives & targets.

The role also leads the Environment & Sustainability Enabling Function (EF), which in turn is responsible for leading and managing project-wide aspects of Environment & Sustainability. It also functionally supports the management of Environment & Sustainability in the delivery teams and provides and maintains the relevant framework of processes and governance, ensuring SCS act and deliver in accordance with the requirements of the relevant legislation, the contract, the Works Information and parent company obligations.

The role forms part of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) for SCS and as such is collectively responsible for the successful delivery of the overall programme of works and the success of the Integrated Project Team (IPT). The role reports to the Technical Services Director and is also part of the Technical Services Leadership Team.

Skillset: Leadership & Strategic delivery in a matrix structure, Environment & Sustainability Management, Environmental Consenting & stakeholder management, Contract management & Commercial acumen.

Direct reports:

• Environmental Technical Lead
• Environmental Assurance Lead
• Sustainability & Carbon Lead

Flexible working: We welcome you to ask about the flexibility you need. This might be part-time, remote working, or compressed hours for example. Anyone who applies for a role can ask about flexibility at interview. In return, we will explore what is possible for the role. 

Main Responsibilities

• Provide the strategic leadership on all aspects of environmental sustainability. Drive awareness for and delivery against contract targets, including reducing Carbon and whole life impacts, and striving to achieve no-net loss in biodiversity and CEEQUAL Excellent rating. Maintain innovation awareness to continuously seek ways to maintain an industry-leading contract. 
• Provide operational and functional management advice to the design and construction team on the practical implementation of contract policies and processes. Provide assurance to senior management team, understanding and communicating all key risks and relevant information as necessary to ensure sound environmental management across the programme.
• Oversee the provision of all Environmental specialists including procurement and sub-contract management, managing performance and budgets. Provide specialist support to the commercial team for any scope changes, early warnings or other formal communications required with the client on environment and sustainability matters.
• Lead the Environment & Sustainability Team functionally across the Project.  Manage the development and structure of this team to ensure that the ongoing needs of the Contract and individuals are met.
• Accountable for creation of an effective collaborative culture across the EF and the delivery teams and for promoting the same culture with other Contractors, 3rd Party Stakeholders and across HS2
• Maintain the Environmental Management System, certified to ISO 14001:2015, ensuring it remains appropriate to all contract risks and legal compliance at a minimum (incl. the HS2 Act and associated Environmental Minimum requirements). Monitor and report performance against targets and drive innovation and continuous improvement throughout the contract team.
• Liaise with parent company Environment and Sustainability teams
• Represent and promote SCS externally on Environment and Sustainability

The Ideal Candidate

• Demonstrates an unwavering passion for the Environment and Sustainability, driving innovation and an ability to positively influence and develop those around them.
• Significant environmental and sustainability management experience in the construction industry on large infrastructure projects or equivalent, comparable industry/projects.
• Strong demonstrable leadership skills essential, with experience managing a large, multi-disciplinary team preferably within a matrix structure. Able to communicate as part of the senior management team, influencing and driving change as required.
• Strategic-minded with excellent organisation, communication and time management skills. Project management and commercial/contract management experience required.
• Chartered Environmentalist, Full Member of the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) or equivalent and registered Environmental Auditor (required but with extensive EMS and audit experience can be acquired once in post).

About The Company

The role will work on the HS2 project. HS2 is the UK’s new high speed rail network. It will be a catalyst for economic growth across Britain, freeing up space on the existing railways and connecting 8 out of the UK’s 10 biggest cities with fast, reliable and frequent high speed services

The Skanska | Costain | STRABAG (SCS JV) is delivering the HS2 London Tunnels Contract. Scope of works includes twin-bored tunnels (TBM), SCL tunnels, shaft sinking, bridge demolition and reconstruction, services diversions, earthworks and the construction of site compounds.

You’ll be a welcomed member of the wider team, with opportunities to take on additional responsibility, join one of our networks for women, military or LGBT+ staff, and participate in cultural and social events with the local community (e.g. as a STEM ambassador).

Your personal and professional development is important to us. We welcome a discussion about how we can support you with further study, or professional membership or attainment for example.

HS2 – working with Skanska, Costain and STRABAG, closely monitors job applications, to ensure an inclusive recruitment process. To ensure we are able to maintain this, and to recruit a diverse workforce, we require candidates to complete the diversity form as part of their application so we are able to monitor and improve our approach to diversity.  Please note, all responses are anonymous and we will not share any of your data with other parties. All data will be held securely, (as stated within the Data Protection Act 1998) and will be reported to HS2.

It is an SCSJV requirement that all employees, Design House,  and Supply Chains must implement and comply with the requirements of ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System, ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management System with guidance for use”, OHSAS 18001:2017  Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems and ISO/IEC 27001:2013 Information Security Management System, Policies, Plans, Procedures and Processes, and statutory requirements as they affect the Joint Venture ‘s operations and ensure that the requirements, as applicable within their discipline, are effectively implemented on the project. Develop a culture of safety on the project through the absolute commitment to the Zero Accidents target and ethos, and develops a wider awareness of quality, environmental issues and demonstrates commitment to achieve continual improvement and Zero tolerance.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

SCS Railways is a Disability Confident Leader.  We want to encourage disabled people to apply for our roles and have an opportunity to display your skills, talent, and abilities.  We will ensure that a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants that meet the minimum criteria for this position will be offered an interview.

Please see the disability confident commitments:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/disability-confident-guidance-for-levels-1-2-and-3/level-1-disability-confident-committed

To be considered for an interview under this scheme you have:

• A physical or mental impairment, which has a substantial and long-term effect (over 12 months) adverse effect on your ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities
• Demonstrated in your application and pre-interview stage that you meet the minimum job criteria and person specification for the role