Sustainability Lead

Location: Surrey / London

Laing O'Rourke is committed to leading innovation and excellence in the construction industry, with sustainability at the heart of our transformation. 

We are seeking a Sustainability Lead to join the project leadership team for a flagship scientific research facility in Surrey. Leading the delivery of sustainability requirements on this mega project, you will oversee and drive the environmental, whole life carbon and social value strategies from preconstruction (Stage 3) through to delivery.

Accountabilities

• Act as the primary point of contact for sustainability during preconstruction and delivery phases, ensuring clear and consistent communication with the client, design team, and project stakeholders.
• Embed sustainability throughout the project lifecycle, ensuring key environmental, carbon, and social value criteria are incorporated into decision-making in line with contractual obligations, cost, programme, and design development.
• Represent sustainability as part of the project's core leadership team, leading across environmental performance, carbon design/management, and social value.
• During Preconstruction, lead the definition and agreement of sustainability targets and metrics aligned with client requirements, local authority expectations, and industry best practices.
• Develop a comprehensive Stakeholder Management Plan, mapping key external and internal contacts to support proactive engagement and communication.

Key Responsibilities

• Shape and lead sustainability strategy during RIBA Stage 3 and beyond, interfacing with clients, design consultants, and internal delivery teams.
• Collaborate with Environmental, Carbon and Social Value Advisors, as well as engineering, procurement, and commercial teams to:
  • Develop the project's Sustainability Risk & Opportunity Register.
  • Set project-specific objectives and targets for carbon, biodiversity, circular economy, and social value outcomes.
• Work with Procurement to ensure strong partnerships with local and national supply chains, embedding sustainability into sourcing and contract requirements.
• Oversee sustainability KPI data management, including reporting, auditing, and data quality checks across workstreams (e.g., carbon, waste, social).
• Ensure active collaboration across project functions (Design, Commercial, Workforce, Planning, Technical) to integrate sustainability into all project methodologies.
• Lead on relationships with external stakeholders including regulators, CCS, and other authorities, ensuring delivery of agreed sustainability and compliance outcomes.
• Provide line management and pastoral support for a growing sustainability team (e.g. Environmental Advisors, Social Value Advisors, Carbon Specialists).
• Proactively manage and deliver community engagement commitments:
  • Work closely with the client's community engagement lead.
  • Represent the organisation in public consultations and communications.
  • Liaise with project delivery teams to anticipate and mitigate community impact.
  • Coordinate with the Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Comms teams to ensure consistent and impactful messaging.
• Support continual improvement by reviewing lessons learned and contributing to organisational sustainability strategy.

Essential:

• Proven experience in developing and implementing sustainability strategies on large infrastructure or construction projects.
• Deep knowledge of environmental sustainability, including areas beyond carbon such as biodiversity, circular economy, waste, and water.
• Strong background in social value delivery, including apprenticeships, community initiatives, and local economic uplift.
• Ability to manage stakeholders across varying levels — from regulators and community groups to internal leadership.
• Skilled in data management and reporting, including performance tracking, auditing and presenting to senior stakeholders.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills.
• Experience in leading a team of sustainability professionals, offering both technical direction and pastoral support.
• Degree qualified in a relevant field (e.g. Environmental Science, Sustainability, Engineering, Architecture), or equivalent experience.
• Eligible to work in the UK and subject to vetting and security screening.

Desirable:

• Familiarity with relevant standards such as:
  • ISO 14001 (Environmental Management)
  • PAS 2080 (Carbon Management in Infrastructure)
  • NHS SHTN 02-01 (Sustainable Design & Construction)
  • BREEAM and ecology management frameworks
• Strong understanding of net zero carbon principles, life cycle assessments, and sustainability-linked procurement.

About Us:    

Laing O'Rourke is dedicated to being a recognised leader in innovation and excellence in the construction industry. We focus on delivering projects that leave a lasting positive environmental legacy, driven by technical excellence in design, manufacturing, and construction. 

We offer a competitive remuneration package (base salary + car/travel allowance) with access to PMI; enhanced pension and parental leave schemes; Life/Dental/Critical illness insurance and income protection; 33 days holiday inc. bank holidays; professional development opportunities and more!   

CVs only tell us so much – we'd love to have an informal chat with you! Please feel free to contact Emma Woodall (Resourcing Partner) at ewoodall@laingorourke.com or call 07350368883. 

We are committed to making our recruitment process accessible to everyone. If you need the application form in an alternative format or have any questions about our process, please contact our resourcing team at resourcingteam@laingorourke.com. 

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