Environmental Manager

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Environmental Manager - England & Wales

Reporting To: Head of HSSEQ / Director of SHEQ
Location: England & Wales (Hybrid with regular travel to operational sites, offices and client locations)
Direct Reports: Environmental Advisors, Environmental Coordinators and specialist environmental consultants (where applicable)

Equal Opportunities Statement

At United Infrastructure, we are committed to making every interaction a positive and inclusive experience. If there is anything we can do to support you, remove barriers, or make the process more accessible, please let us know - we want this to be the best possible experience for you.

Role Purpose

The Environmental Manager is responsible for leading and developing the environmental management function across operations in England and Wales, ensuring compliance with environmental legislation, client requirements and ISO 14001 standards while supporting the delivery of business objectives. The role will provide strategic and operational environmental leadership across multiple infrastructure sectors including power transmission and distribution, utilities, telecommunications, civil engineering and construction activities. The Environmental Manager will drive continual improvement, environmental sustainability, biodiversity enhancement and carbon reduction initiatives whilst supporting the company's Zero Harm and Responsible Business strategies.

Key Responsibilities Environmental Leadership

• Provide professional environmental advice and support to directors, operational leaders, project teams and clients.
• Develop and implement environmental strategies aligned to business objectives.
• Promote a positive environmental culture through visible leadership and engagement.
• Lead environmental improvement initiatives across all operational activities.
• Support the development and delivery of environmental objectives, targets and KPIs.

Environmental Compliance

• Ensure compliance with all relevant UK environmental legislation and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain compliance with: Environmental Protection Act 1990, Environment Act 2021, Environmental Permitting Regulations, Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017, Water Resources Act 1991, Control of Pollution Act 1974, Waste Regulations and Duty of Care requirements.
• Monitor emerging legislation and advise the business on impacts and compliance requirements.
• Lead investigations into environmental incidents and regulatory breaches.
• Manage relationships with environmental regulators including: Environment Agency, Natural England, Natural Resources Wales, Local Authorities, Forestry Commission.

Environmental Management Systems

• Maintain and continually improve the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System.
• Lead internal audits and support external certification audits.
• Develop environmental procedures, standards and guidance documents.
• Ensure environmental risks and opportunities are effectively identified and managed.
• Manage environmental legal registers and compliance obligations.
• Oversee environmental assurance and governance programmes.

Operational Support

• Provide environmental support throughout project lifecycles including: Tendering, Planning, Construction, Commissioning, Handover.
• Review and approve: Construction Environmental Management Plans (CEMPs), Environmental Risk Assessments, Method Statements, Waste Management Plans, Pollution Prevention Plans, Ecological Management Plans.
• Conduct site inspections, audits and environmental reviews.
• Support operational teams in achieving environmental compliance and best practice.

Sustainability & Net Zero

• Support the development and implementation of sustainability strategies.
• Lead carbon reduction and net zero initiatives.
• Monitor and report environmental performance metrics.
• Identify opportunities for resource efficiency, waste reduction, energy efficiency and circular economy principles.
• Support ESG reporting requirements and client sustainability commitments.

Biodiversity & Natural Capital

• Support compliance with Biodiversity Net Gain requirements.
• Develop biodiversity enhancement initiatives across projects.
• Liaise with ecological specialists and environmental consultants.
• Promote sustainable land management and habitat protection measures.
• Support natural capital and environmental enhancement projects.

Incident Management

• Lead investigations into environmental incidents, complaints and non-conformances.
• Identify root causes and develop corrective and preventative actions.
• Report significant incidents to regulators where required.
• Monitor trends and provide performance analysis to senior leadership.

Stakeholder Management

• Build effective relationships with: Clients, Regulators, Supply Chain Partners, Local Authorities, Community Stakeholders.
• Represent the business during environmental audits and client reviews.
• Support environmental aspects of client bids and framework submissions.

Training & Competence

• Develop and deliver environmental awareness programmes.
• Support competency development across operational teams.
• Provide coaching and mentoring to Environmental Advisors and operational management.
• Promote best practice and lessons learned across the business.

Key Accountabilities

• Environmental legal compliance across England and Wales.
• ISO 14001 certification maintenance.
• Delivery of environmental objectives and KPIs.
• Environmental incident reduction.
• Regulatory compliance and stakeholder engagement.
• Sustainability and carbon reduction programme delivery.
• Environmental governance and assurance effectiveness.

Essential Qualifications

• Degree in Environmental Management, Environmental Science, Sustainability, Ecology or related discipline.
• IEMA Practitioner (PIEMA) or Full Member (MIEMA).
• ISO 14001 Lead Auditor qualification.
• Full UK Driving Licence.

Desirable Qualifications

• Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv).
• Chartered status through IEMA, CIWEM, CIEEM or equivalent professional body.
• NEBOSH Environmental Management Certificate.
• Carbon Management qualification.
• Environmental Impact Assessment experience.
• Biodiversity Net Gain training.

Essential Experience

• Significant environmental management experience within infrastructure, utilities, power, construction or engineering sectors.
• Experience managing ISO 14001 certified management systems.
• Experience dealing with environmental regulators and statutory bodies.
• Experience supporting major infrastructure projects.
• Environmental auditing and compliance management experience.
• Environmental incident investigation experience.
• Experience developing environmental strategies and improvement plans.

Desirable Experience

• Power Transmission and Distribution sector experience.
• National Grid, DNO or utility framework experience.
• Telecommunications infrastructure experience.
• Renewable energy project experience.
• ESG and sustainability reporting experience.
• Biodiversity Net Gain implementation experience.

Key Skills & Competencies

• Leadership
• Strategic thinking
• Influencing and stakeholder management
• Coaching and mentoring
• Decision making
• Technical environmental legislation knowledge
• ISO 14001 expertise
• Environmental auditing
• Sustainability and carbon management
• Environmental risk management
• Personal
• Strong communication skills
• Commercial awareness
• Analytical and problem solving ability
• Attention to detail
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively

Performance Measures

• Environmental incident frequency and severity.
• Environmental audit performance.
• Regulatory compliance outcomes.
• ISO 14001 audit results.
• Environmental KPI achievement.
• Carbon reduction performance.
• Biodiversity and sustainability programme delivery.
• Client environmental performance scores.
• Completion of environmental action plans.