Head of Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability

We are partnering with one of the UK’s most impactful workplace pension providers, managing over £30bn in assets for more than 14 million members, to appoint their first Head of Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability. This is a senior enterprise role focused on how the organisation itself operates responsibly, creates social value, and embeds sustainability across its people, communities, supply chain and governance, not investment decision‑making. Reporting to the Chief People Officer, you will define the organisation’s corporate responsibility and sustainability framework from the ground up, working closely with the Executive Committee and Board.

About the Role

The role focuses on the organisation’s enterprise footprint, social impact, DE&I and operational sustainability. Portfolio ESG and Responsible Investment are already well established.

Role Purpose

To develop and deliver a clear, practical approach to enterprise sustainability and corporate responsibility, aligning purpose, culture and operations while driving measurable impact for members, colleagues and communities.

Key Responsibilities

Corporate Responsibility & Social Impact (Core Focus)

• Develop and deliver a CSR and social value strategy aligned to financial inclusion and member impact
• Lead community partnerships, volunteering and charitable programmes
• Expand DE&I beyond the workforce to members, suppliers and communities
• Define and implement social impact measurement using recognised frameworks

Environmental Sustainability (Enterprise & Operational)

• Own the organisation’s internal net‑zero and environmental sustainability roadmap
• Lead emissions targets, tracking and reporting (Scopes 1, 2 and relevant Scope 3)
• Embed sustainability into procurement, suppliers and workplace operations

Enterprise Sustainability, Governance & Risk

• Set enterprise sustainability principles and targets
• Lead materiality assessment and sustainability reporting
• Integrate sustainability and climate risk into the enterprise risk framework
• Advise on sustainability regulation and compliance
• Line‑manage the DE&I Business Manager
• Act as a trusted advisor to senior leaders and the Board
• Champion sustainability as part of everyday decision‑making

Experience Required

• Senior CSR and social impact leadership with measurable outcomes
• Hands‑on delivery of internal sustainability programmes
• Financial services experience (pensions, banking, wealth, building societies)
• Credibility at Executive and Board level
• Broad understanding across Environmental, Social and Governance themes
• Experience in member‑owned or public‑interest financial services
• Supply‑chain ESG and Scope 3 delivery
• External DE&I leadership and industry engagement
• Sustainability qualifications (e.g. IEMA, CISL, CFA ESG)

This Role Is Not Suited To

• Investment ESG or stewardship specialists
• Insurance‑only ESG roles
• External consultants without in‑house delivery experience
• Narrow, climate‑only specialists

Why Apply

• Board‑level influence with direct reporting to the CPO
• First Head‑of role with ownership
• Hybrid working (1–2 days London), flexible hours, strong pension

Details

• Location: London (Hybrid)
• Start Date: March / April 2026