Chief Sustainability Officer

Acre is working with one of the leading companies operating in the food services and hospitality sectors to support in the hiring of a Chief Sustainability Officer. With a turnover of £950m and over 23,000 employees, the organisation has a diverse range of brands and customers.

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The business has identified a need to further strengthen their approach to sustainability and ESG and they have created this new role to work across the group to ensure that sustainability actions are delivered, targets are met and that strategic direction is driven through to achieve the organisations ambition. This is an exciting role to lead sustainability in a fast-moving sector working across a number of brands to deliver significant impact.

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You will be:

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• Guiding the business to successfully implement its ESG Strategy and align commercial and sustainability objectives, including advising the board, chairing the ESG Committee, managing budgets and working with senior colleagues across business functions and brands

• Monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of sustainability programmes, including the review of sustainability governance structures, and developing assessment methodologies

• Providing thought leadership and help align internal teams and brands by engaging, educating and building relationships within the business working closely on sustainability communications and campaigns

• Assessing the business's policies and processes to identify areas in which improvements can be made in accordance with the organisations commitment to sustainability

• Monitoring sustainability trends and developments in the market and bring insight back into the business

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Whilst the title is that of Chief Sustainability Officer the requirements of the role will be that it will extend into leading the delivery of the Environmental, Social and Governance ["ESG"] Strategy, whilst much of the Governance element is mandatory and managed by existing functions, a more "hands-on" approach is required for the successful delivery of the Environmental and Social objectives.

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This is a rare opportunity to refine and deliver a sustainability strategy which will have significant impact across a range of restaurants and hospitality brands. Our client is looking for a motivated and assured leader with low ego who has experience of driving through change to deliver best in class results.

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Key Experience

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• Experience in a sustainability leadership role within an organisation including influencing at Board level and business transformation

• Significant and proven experience and expertise in the economic, environmental, social, and ideally transformation, features of corporate sustainability

• Thorough knowledge of industry-related sustainability trends and applicable laws and regulations ideally gained across B2B and B2C

• In depth business experience to invoke trust, command respect, and help executives make difficult decisions

• Experienced executive with a strong strategy orientation

• First and foremost a 'doer' with the mandate, credentials, and desire to act as well as advise

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If you are an experienced sustainability leader with an ability to hone a strategy and implement it across a diverse range of businesses, then please apply for this role or contact Emily Goetsch at emily.goetsch@acre.com or Dani Walker for more information at dani.walker@acre.com