Location: London or Manchester, United Kingdom
Work Type: Hybrid, Full-time
Contract: 12-month fixed-term contract
Experience Level: Managerial
Application Deadline: Not specified
About the Company
Kennedys is a global law firm providing legal services to clients across a wide range of industries and jurisdictions. The firm is seeking a Sustainability and Environmental Manager to support the delivery of its environmental strategy and Net Zero commitments across its global operations.
The Opportunity
Kennedys is hiring a Sustainability and Environmental Manager on a 12-month fixed-term contract to deliver the firm's Net Zero Action Plan and regulatory carbon emissions reporting.
The successful candidate will work across Responsible Business, Facilities, Procurement and Finance teams globally to collect, analyse and report progress against science-based carbon reduction targets. The role will also support environmental compliance, sustainability reporting, employee engagement and the integration of sustainable practices across the firm's operations.
The position is based in London or Manchester, with hybrid working available.
What You'll Do
Net Zero and Environmental Strategy
- Coordinate, review and update Kennedys' Net Zero Action Plan.
- Track progress against environmental commitments and science-based carbon reduction targets.
- Deliver initiatives that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve environmental performance.
- Provide secretariat support to relevant sustainability governance groups.
- Prepare papers, report progress, record decisions and follow up agreed actions.
Carbon Accounting and Environmental Reporting
- Report on the firm's environmental performance through carbon accounting and emissions reporting.
- Improve the quantity and quality of environmental data received across the business.
- Maintain a clear and auditable evidence trail for environmental data and reporting.
- Lead mandatory and voluntary environmental reporting requirements, including SECR, ESOS, Carbon Reduction Plans, climate scenario analysis, EcoVadis and UN Global Compact Communication on Progress.
- Monitor reporting deadlines and ensure accurate data collection, stakeholder engagement and appropriate review.
Data and Environmental Systems
- Oversee systems and processes used to collect, validate and analyse environmental data.
- Support accurate carbon accounting, reporting and target tracking.
- Maintain clear documentation covering data sources, methodologies, controls and approvals.
- Monitor environmental legislation, regulation and emerging requirements.
- Communicate relevant regulatory developments to internal stakeholders.
Sustainability Engagement
- Support client-facing teams with information about Kennedys' environmental programme.
- Coordinate the Climate Champion Network and Environment Partner Sponsors.
- Lead global sustainability initiatives, communications campaigns and employee engagement activities.
- Support local sustainability advocates in implementing environmental initiatives and promoting best practice.
Procurement and Stakeholder Management
- Build relationships with stakeholders across procurement, operations, finance and risk.
- Work with procurement to integrate environmental considerations into supplier sourcing and selection.
- Improve the collection and quality of supplier emissions data.
- Establish clear accountability for agreed environmental actions.
- Manage relationships with external sustainability partners, advisers, consultants, industry bodies and working groups.
External Representation
- Represent Kennedys at external sustainability events and client forums.
- Act as an ambassador for the firm's environmental objectives and Net Zero ambitions.
Requirements
Core Qualifications
- Experience delivering sustainability or environmental initiatives, preferably within a professional services or corporate environment.
- Experience managing environmental reporting and disclosure requirements.
- Experience with Scope 1, 2 and 3 greenhouse gas emissions accounting.
- Knowledge of sustainability metrics and environmental performance reporting.
- Experience delivering environmental reporting or disclosure requirements such as SECR, ESOS, climate scenario analysis, EcoVadis or comparable frameworks.
Technical Expertise
- Knowledge of environmental legislation, reporting frameworks and emerging sustainability regulations.
- Experience supporting carbon reduction strategies, Net Zero programmes or Science Based Targets initiative commitments.
- Strong analytical skills and experience working with large datasets.
- Ability to identify trends and produce accurate reports and management information.
- Experience developing policies, processes or management systems supporting continuous improvement and regulatory compliance.
- Strong Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.
- Interest in using technology and AI to support sustainability and business performance.
Professional Strengths
- Excellent project management and organisational skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and competing deadlines.
- Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills.
- Ability to translate stakeholder discussions into clear actions and measurable outcomes.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to communicate complex information clearly to different audiences.
- Ability to manage confidential and sensitive information with discretion and professionalism.
Benefits & Perks
- Hybrid working arrangement.
- Opportunity to work within a global law firm.
- Exposure to international sustainability and Net Zero programmes.
- Collaboration with teams across Responsible Business, Facilities, Procurement, Finance and other business functions.
- Opportunity to work with external sustainability advisers, industry bodies and working groups.
Why This Role Matters
Kennedys is strengthening the systems, data, reporting and stakeholder engagement needed to deliver its Net Zero ambitions. This role sits at the intersection of environmental strategy, carbon accounting, regulatory reporting, procurement, data management and organisational engagement, giving the successful candidate a central role in advancing the firm's global sustainability performance.
Apply
Interested candidates can apply through Kennedys' careers portal.
Application: https://careers.kennedyslaw.com/jobs/vacancy/2200/applicationlogin/