Environment & Sustainability Manager

John Paul Construction believes that every project is an opportunity to improve on what has gone before. The Environment & Sustainability Manager will lead the consistent implementation of JPC’s environmental and sustainability requirements across projects, helping teams meet applicable legal, planning, contractual and client obligations while improving performance against company policy, strategy, targets and commitments.

The role will translate company requirements into practical project controls, provide technical leadership and maintain oversight through reviews, audits and performance reporting. Working closely with project teams, EHS, Sustainability, Procurement, Design, Commercial, Data and Reporting functions, the role will promote clear ownership, timely corrective action and reliable evidence of delivery.

Key responsibilities

Environmental compliance and project assurance

· Lead implementation and continual improvement of JPC’s environmental and sustainability requirements across projects from tender and pre-construction through mobilisation, construction and close-out.

· Ensure projects identify, understand and address applicable environmental legislation, licences, permits, planning conditions, contractual commitments, client requirements and internal standards, obtaining specialist advice where required.

· Oversee the preparation, review and implementation of project Environment & Sustainability Management Plans, legal and commitments registers, procedures, inspections, monitoring and emergency arrangements.

· Monitor compliance through planned reviews, site visits and audits; identify significant gaps, agree corrective and preventative actions, assign owners and dates, and track actions through to effective closure.

· Escalate material environmental risks, incidents, repeated non-conformances and overdue actions through appropriate management channels.

· Support preparation for client, certification-body and regulatory inspections or audits, coordinating evidence and follow-up actions.

Policy, strategy and management systems

· Embed JPC’s Environmental Policy, Sustainability Policy and relevant strategies, standards, guidance and minimum requirements into project planning and delivery.

· Work with EHS and Sustainability functions to align project arrangements with the environmental management system, sustainability programme and corporate commitments.

· Translate policy and strategy into practical project objectives, action plans, controls, responsibilities, indicators and evidence requirements.

· Maintain and improve company templates, standards, audit tools, checklists, technical guidance and governance arrangements.

· Promote consistent use of lessons learned and good practice across projects and the supply chain.

Technical leadership

· Provide guidance on waste and resource efficiency, water, pollution prevention, noise and vibration, dust and air quality, ecology and biodiversity, soils, contaminated land, materials, energy and carbon.

· Advise on environmental aspects and impacts, significant risks, mitigation measures, monitoring requirements and the hierarchy of controls.

· Support review of material technical submittals and environmental information, including Environmental Product Declarations and evidence required for project sustainability commitments.

· Coordinate project inputs relating to embodied carbon, construction energy and fuel, electricity, water, waste, materials and transport.

· Support projects pursuing LEED, BREEAM, CEEQUAL or equivalent sustainability certification, where applicable.

· Provide input to bids, design and procurement reviews, construction planning, client submissions, awards and recognition programmes.

Performance, data and reporting

· Coordinate with Sustainability, Data and Reporting teams to define project data requirements, responsibilities, evidence standards, review cycles and management information.

· Oversee timely collection, validation and analysis of environmental and sustainability data, including energy, fuel, carbon, water, waste, materials, biodiversity actions, inspections, incidents and corrective actions.

· Improve data quality through clear definitions, consistent methodologies, documented evidence, named owners and timely resolution of gaps or anomalies.

· Prepare dashboards, project performance reports and management updates highlighting compliance status, trends, risks, achievements and actions requiring attention.

· Contribute verified project information to client reporting, corporate sustainability reporting and other external disclosures.

· Ensure project close-out reviews capture performance, fulfilment of commitments, outstanding obligations and lessons learned.

Leadership, engagement and capability

· Act as a senior environmental and sustainability focal point and build effective relationships with clients, designers, consultants, suppliers, subcontractors and other stakeholders.

· Provide direction, coaching and practical support to project managers, construction managers, environmental personnel and sustainability champions.

· Develop and deliver training and briefings on legal duties, company requirements, project controls, data and good practice.

· Engage Procurement and the supply chain to communicate expectations and improve environmental information and performance.

· Support the professional development of Environment & Sustainability Advisors and coordinate priorities or work allocation where assigned.

· Represent JPC on relevant internal working groups and external industry or technical forums.

Experience, knowledge and qualifications

· Degree or equivalent professional qualification in environmental management, environmental science, sustainability, engineering or a related discipline.

· At least six years’ relevant experience, including substantial environmental management experience during the construction of major or complex projects.

· Demonstrable experience of interpreting and applying environmental legal, planning, contractual and client requirements within project controls.

· Experience preparing, reviewing and assuring management plans, risk registers, inspections, audits and corrective-action programmes.

· Strong knowledge of construction-related environmental risks and controls, including waste, water, pollution prevention, noise, dust, ecology, materials, energy and carbon.

· Experience of environmental and sustainability data collection, validation, analysis and reporting.

· Knowledge of environmental management systems and ISO 14001 principles; experience supporting internal or external audits is highly desirable.

· Experience with sustainability certification schemes such as LEED, BREEAM or CEEQUAL is desirable.

· Membership of, or progress towards membership of, a relevant professional body is desirable.

· Full driving licence and willingness to travel regularly to projects across Ireland and, where required, the UK and Europe.

Measures of success

· Projects have current, proportionate and implemented environmental and sustainability plans, registers and controls.

· Applicable legal, planning, contractual, client and JPC requirements are identified, assigned and supported by suitable evidence.

· Audit, inspection and review findings are addressed promptly, with material risks escalated and actions closed effectively.

· Environmental incidents, non-conformances and recurring issues are reduced through prevention, learning and stronger controls.

· Project data is complete, timely, verifiable and suitable for client and corporate reporting.

· JPC policies, strategy, targets and minimum requirements are understood and consistently embedded in project delivery.

· Project teams and relevant supply-chain partners receive practical guidance and demonstrate improved capability and ownership.

As a permanent John Paul Construction employee, you may benefit from a competitive salary, company vehicle or travel allowance, relocation allowance where applicable, company laptop and phone, pension, life insurance, income protection, continuous professional development and access to lifestyle benefits, including the Bike to Work Scheme, Employee Assistance Programme and Sports & Social Club. Benefits may be role-dependent and subject to terms and conditions.

John Paul Construction is committed to equal opportunity and to providing a working environment in which everyone is treated with dignity and respect.