Head of Strategic Governance - (1738)

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ESG Opportunity
Head of Strategic Governance.
London

Are you passionate about Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) and eager to lead in a dynamic and impactful role? We are seeking an experienced, skilled, and motivated Senior/Director-Level ESG Specialist to join our team as the Head of Strategic Governance. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in defining and implementing ESG strategies, with extensive experience in reporting and evaluating ESG performance in the Real Estate sector.
We are looking for an empathetic and collaborative leader with a strategic mindset, capable of inspiring others, driving change, mentoring junior staff, and leading by example. Your expertise will be pivotal in designing and delivering comprehensive ESG strategies, embedding ESG objectives into client organisations and portfolios, and creating governance infrastructures that respond to stakeholder needs and lead on accountability and transparency.

Join Us
This role is not just about meeting targets but exceeding them, embodying our core values, and setting a standard for others. If you are an inspiring leader ready to drive change and make a significant impact in ESG, we want to hear from you.
About us

Hoare Lea is an award-winning engineering consultancy with a creative team of engineers, designers and technical specialists. We provide innovative solutions to complex engineering and design challenges for buildings.
Irrespective of the scale or complexity of a project, we provide a full range of MEP, environmental and sustainability services, bringing buildings to life and ensuring that they perform in operation as well as they look.
Hoare Lea has joined Tetra Tech's High-Performance Buildings Group, a global alliance of MEP firms.

Why work for us?

You'll collaborate with the industry's best, working with a wide range of built-environment specialists.

You'll be part of progressive and exciting projects, able to experience innovative schemes across all sectors.

You'll advance your career, your way, thanks to our structured Career Paths framework.

The role

As the Head of Strategic Governance, you will lead the Strategic Governance team, working alongside the Carbon Lead and the Social & Human Value Lead. You will report directly to the ESG Director, who is part of the Strategic Leadership Team at Hoare Lea, giving you direct influence over the growth and strategic direction of our ESG capabilities and offerings.
You will lead a team that provides top-tier advice to high-profile real estate and built environment organisations, helping them create strategies that maximise value creation, driving financial, social, and environmental success. Your role will involve:
• Strategy Development: Crafting bespoke strategies and frameworks that align business objectives with environmental and social success.
• Evaluation & Reporting: Elevating ESG performance through robust reporting mechanisms that communicate progress and aspirations to stakeholders, enhancing transparency and accountability.
• Implementation: Translating strategies into actionable roadmaps to ensure effective delivery at various levels.

Job Responsibilities
• People Management: Develop team members, conduct appraisals, provide mentorship, identify recruitment needs, and promote professional growth.
• Financial & Operational Management: Prepare financial forecasts, provide insights, engage in financial planning, and manage budgets and resource allocation.
• Business Development: Identify and pursue new opportunities, track business development activities, and lead fee proposals for strategic projects.
• Technical Expertise & Leadership: Maintain cutting-edge knowledge, lead technical project delivery, and provide expert guidance.
• Client Relationship Management: Build and manage long-term client relationships, tailor solutions to client needs, and ensure exceptional service delivery.
• Thought Leadership & Innovation: Engage in industry activities, publish articles, and present at events to promote thought leadership.
What we are looking for

Core Skills
• Strategic thinker with a passion for ESG.
• Empathetic and collaborative leadership.
• Diplomatic communication style and a natural influencer.
• Excellent business development skills with the ability to effectively communicate and convey value propositions.
• Ability to present and communicate publicly, with strong client relationship-building skills.
• Adaptability and resilience in a high-growth, changing environment.
• Creativity and innovation.
• Self-motivation and independence.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Required Qualifications and Capabilities
• Experience in ESG within the built environment and real estate.
• Demonstrable experience in an ESG leadership role in a corporate setting.
• Degree in Business, Finance, Economics, or a related field.
• Master's degree in Sustainable Finance, ESG, Corporate Responsibility, Sustainability, or a related area.
• Strong project management and organisational skills.
• In-depth knowledge of sustainability practices, industry trends, best practices, and relevant regulations (e.g., TCFDs, TNFDs, ISSB, SABS, SDR, UK/EU Taxonomy).
• Pragmatic approach to improving ESG practices and developing practical strategies.

Our benefits

To reward your hard work and commitment we offer both core and flexible benefits, a competitive salary and industry-leading training and development to support you throughout your career.

Core benefits

• Private medical scheme
• Life Assurance
• Income protection
• Electric Car salary sacrifice scheme
• Travel Allowance - electric car scheme
• Profit and performance-related bonus (Director)
• 25 days annual leave, increasing to 30 with length of service
• Contributory pension scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Enhanced Paternity, Maternity & Shared Parental Leave
• Season Ticket Loans
• Professional membership subscription
• Flexitime

Flexible benefits

• 9-day fortnight - the firm offers all employees the option to work a 9-day fortnight
• Hybrid Working - activity-based approach
• Employee stock purchase plan - a voluntary program which allows eligible employees to purchase Tetra Tech common stock at a 15% discount
• Holiday buy & sell up to 5 days
• Study Assistance
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee Referral Scheme
• Sabbatical Leave
• Other flexible benefits include gym and retail discounts, travel & dental insurance and GAYE (Give as you Earn)
• Flexible working - We're happy to discuss flexible working. There is no obligation to raise this at the application stage but if you wish to do so, you are welcome to. Flexible working will be part of the discussion at offer stage

How to apply

To apply simply complete a CV profile and submit your application, or for further information please contact aureliacherradi@hoarelea.com

Diversity, equity and inclusion

We are committed to being a place where underrepresented individuals and communities are not just included, but where marginalised knowledge and experience is valued, amplified, and harnessed. So, we strongly encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, including women, people of the Global Majority, LGBTQ+ individuals, disabled people, neurodivergent people, and those from all other underrepresented or marginalised groups. To learn more about our approach to diversity, equity and inclusion, see our DEI strategy .

Adjustments and accommodations

If there are adjustments or accommodations that we can put in place to ensure you can participate and give your best at any stage of the recruitment process (whether relating to disability, neurodivergence, or anything else) please let us know.

Flexible working

We are committed to enabling a healthy work-life balance for all employees. So, we welcome applications from candidates seeking flexible working arrangements to suit their particular needs and lifestyle, including part-time, term-time-only, and remote working.

Data privacy

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