UK

United Kingdom · Compliance, quality and safety · C-Suite (20+ years)

VP, EHS & Sustainability

Here is the whole job, in plain words. What it is, what you decide, how you're judged, how people get here and where they go next. Then the part no course gives you: twelve AI tutors who learn your work.

See how AI is changing this job, and get the full read by email.

Start my free Automation Fluency module

As a VP, EHS & Sustainability, a good place to start on AI Ethics & Governance in EHS is Planning Automation Across a Department, a free Future Fluency module at Level 5. You'd practise working out what in your department's work could be automated, what should not be, and what to recommend.

Free to start, no card.

Keep this job description

Where should we send it?

One email: what AI is changing in this job, the new skills it asks for, where it leads, and where to start free. With a link back here. Nothing else follows unless you confirm your address.

Your employer, or 'self-employed'

Leading a team? Try this with up to five of them for 14 days, free.

  • Experience bandC-Suite (20+ years)
  • Direct reports100 reports
  • Reports toChief Executive Officer (CEO) or Board of Directors
  • UK framework levelUsually a director, accountable for a division and its numbers

Also advertised as Chief Health & Safety Officer · Global Head of EHS & ESG · Chief Compliance & Sustainability Officer

Built on 43,079 real UK job descriptions we analysed · grounded in what real qualifications cover

Two short quizzes about you

1From this job to a course

The qualifications matched to this job

CMI Level 5 NVQ Diploma in Management and Leadership Chartered Management Institute · Level 5 · covers 4 of 22 standards
City & Guilds Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management City & Guilds Limited · Level 5 · covers 2 of 22 standards
City & Guilds Level 5 Certificate in Leadership and Management City & Guilds Limited · Level 5 · covers 2 of 22 standards

Matched from the standards this job is measured against: a suggestion, not an official ruling.

The units you would start with

Corporate Social Responsibility as a Key Strategic Issue NOCN Level 7 Extended Diploma in Strategic Leadership of Performance and Productivity
Manage Health and Safety in own area of responsibility CMI Level 5 NVQ Diploma in Management and Leadership
Maintain a healthy and safe working environment for waste management activities CIWM (WAMITAB) Level 5 Certificate for Healthcare Waste Manager at a Healthcare Facility
Managing a healthy and safe environment City & Guilds Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management

The future skills this job leans on

AI Fluency working with AI as a thinking partner
Data Fluency turning numbers into a decision
AI Governance Fluency using AI responsibly
Automation Fluency building AI into how work runs
Sustainability Fluency building care for people and planet into the work
Your Plan Illustration

Built for VP, EHS & Sustainability

4 units that map to this job, from the qualifications that cover it.

  1. Corporate Social Responsibility as a Key Strategic Issue NOCN · covers 1 of 22 standards Level 7
  2. Manage Health and Safety in own area of responsibility Chartered Management Institute · covers 4 of 22 standards Level 5
  3. Maintain a healthy and safe working environment for waste management activities CIWM · covers 2 of 22 standards Level 5
  4. Managing a healthy and safe environment City & Guilds Limited · covers 2 of 22 standards Level 5
These are the real units behind this job, in the order they rank for it. Nothing here is marked done, because this plan has not been started by anyone yet. Yours would fill in as you go.

2AI and this work

Will AI change your work as a VP, EHS & Sustainability?

Nobody can say exactly how. Here is what this job is being asked for next, and where to start.

The new skills this role is being asked for

  • AI Ethics & Governance in EHS
  • Climate Risk Integration into Financial Planning
Why each one is rising

The future skills this job leans on

We'll only ever tell you what we can actually back up. No hype, no scare tactics.

What happens when you start

Next, a free account. We build your VP, EHS & Sustainability plan as you set up, starting with the free Automation Fluency module. No card.

Your first Future Fluency module is free. After that, your AI tutor is £70 a month.

Ready to pay? Subscribe for £70 a month

Keep this read. One email with what AI is changing in this job, the new skills it asks for and where to start free. Nothing else follows unless you confirm your address.

3What this role really is

This role sets the direction for health, safety and sustainability across an organisation, reporting to the CEO and Board. Decisions made here affect the brand, investor relations and the wellbeing of people across global operations. It calls for strategic thinking, sound judgement and the ability to handle complex global issues.

4What you'd actually use

The tools this job runs on, and how well you'd need to know each one.

EHS Management Platform (e.g., Intelex, Cority, Enablon) Strategic

Leading platform selection, managing enterprise-wide implementation and integration with core business systems (e.g., HRIS, ERP), defining global data governance standards, and reviewing executive-level dashboards.

Data Visualization & Analytics (e.g., Power BI, Tableau) Expert

Overseeing the entire safety and sustainability analytics strategy, ensuring dashboards align with executive KPIs, integrating EHS data with operational and financial data for holistic business insights, and presenting data-driven narratives to the Board.

GRC / Enterprise Risk Platform (e.g., ServiceNow GRC, Archer) Advanced

Managing the EHS and sustainability risk register within the corporate GRC platform, aligning EHS KPIs with enterprise risk appetite, and using the platform for board-level risk reporting.

Regulatory & Standards Databases (e.g., LexisNexis Regulatory Compliance) Strategic

Setting the corporate policy on compliance monitoring, engaging with industry bodies, and briefing the executive team on significant regulatory shifts and potential strategic impacts.

5What you get to decide, and how that grows

Power in a job isn't your title. It's what you're allowed to decide. Here's how it grows as you move up.

The choiceComing in Where you are nowThe step above
Global EHS & Sustainability Strategy N/A N/A N/A
Major EHS Incident Response (Enterprise-level) N/A N/A N/A
EHS & Sustainability Budget Allocation N/A N/A N/A
ESG Reporting & Disclosure Commitments N/A N/A N/A

6How you'll be judged

The scoreboard, and what is not on it. The hard targets, how often each is actually looked at, and the quiet signals that never reach a dashboard.

Global Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTIFR)
The number of lost time injuries per 100,000 hours worked across the entire global enterprise.
Target · 20% reduction over a 3-year period, aiming for top quartile industry performance.

Reducing global LTIFR from 0.8 to 0.64 over three years, putting us ahead of 75% of our industry peers.

ESG Rating Improvement
Our performance as assessed by leading Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) rating agencies (e.g., MSCI, Sustainalytics).
Target · Achieve 'Leader' status (e.g., AA or AAA) in at least two major ESG ratings within 2 years.

Moving from an 'A' rating with MSCI to an 'AA' rating, demonstrating significant progress in our sustainability practices and disclosures.

Cost Avoidance from Proactive Risk Reduction
Quantifiable savings from preventing major incidents, regulatory fines, and associated business disruption.
Target · Identify and realise £5M+ in cost avoidance annually through strategic EHS programmes.

Implementing a new process safety programme that prevents a major chemical spill, avoiding £3M in clean-up costs and regulatory penalties.

Global ISO 45001 Certification Coverage
The percentage of our global operational sites that have achieved and maintained ISO 45001 (Occupational Health and Safety Management System) certification.
Target · 100% of all major operational sites certified within 5 years.

Bringing our last 15 uncertified sites up to ISO 45001 standard, ensuring a consistent, high level of safety management across the enterprise.

Board and Executive Trust & Strategic Influence
The extent to which the Board and Executive Leadership Team proactively seek your counsel on strategic decisions with EHS or sustainability implications.
  • Regular invitations to strategic planning sessions (beyond EHS-specific meetings). Your input is explicitly referenced in board minutes and investor calls. You're seen as a trusted advisor, not just a compliance gatekeeper. You're asked to present on broader business risks, not just safety statistics.
Investor Confidence & Engagement
Positive feedback and proactive engagement from institutional investors regarding our EHS and sustainability performance and disclosures.
  • Investors specifically mention our strong ESG performance as a reason for investment or continued holding. You're invited to participate in investor roadshows or ESG-specific briefings. Fewer challenging questions from activist investors regarding our environmental or social impact.
Global Regulatory & Industry Reputation
Our standing as a responsible and compliant organisation within the global regulatory landscape and industry associations.
  • We're consulted by regulatory bodies on proposed changes. We receive industry awards for EHS or sustainability innovation. Our peers look to us for best practices. We avoid major regulatory enforcement actions or public scrutiny.
Organisational Safety Culture Maturity
The depth and breadth of a proactive, learning-oriented safety culture across all levels of the organisation, measured beyond just incident rates.
  • Significant improvement in safety culture perception surveys (e.g., +10 points). High rates of discretionary near-miss reporting and 'good catches'. Frontline employees feel empowered to stop unsafe work without fear. Safety is a regular agenda item in operational meetings, not just an EHS meeting.

7Would you like it

Both sides. What people enjoy, and what grinds them down.

What people enjoy
Driving Enterprise-Wide Impact & Legacy

You'll spend your days crafting policies that protect thousands, influencing multi-million-pound investment decisions for sustainable infrastructure, and seeing your vision for a safer, greener company come to life. This isn't about small wins; it's about shaping the entire organisation's future. You're building a legacy that extends beyond your tenure.

Successfully championing a global carbon reduction target that fundamentally changes how we source energy and design products, leading to a significant drop in our environmental footprint and a positive impact on our brand for decades.

Navigating Complex Global Challenges

You thrive on solving problems that have no easy answers—balancing conflicting regulatory demands across continents, addressing investor concerns about supply chain ethics, or responding to unexpected global health crises. The more complex the puzzle, the more engaged you are. You're essentially a high-stakes global strategist.

Developing a unified global EHS strategy that accounts for vastly different labour laws and environmental regulations in 50+ countries, ensuring compliance and operational efficiency without compromising standards.

Protecting People and the Planet

At your core, you're driven by a deep sense of responsibility for the well-being of our employees, contractors, and the communities we operate in, as well as the broader environmental impact of our business. Every strategic decision you make is filtered through this lens. You genuinely believe in the mission.

Leading the implementation of a 'zero harm' philosophy that significantly reduces workplace injuries and fatalities globally, knowing that your work directly saves lives and prevents suffering.

What frustrates people
  • Executive leadership prioritising quarterly earnings over long-term EHS/ESG investments.
  • The constant need to justify safety and sustainability spend with clear ROI, even when the 'return' is preventing a catastrophe.
  • Dealing with 'greenwashing' or 'safety washing' from other departments who want to look good without doing the actual work.
  • The emotional toll of managing a major incident and its aftermath, especially when systemic issues were known but unaddressed.
  • Navigating conflicting global regulatory requirements and trying to establish a consistent global standard.
  • The slow pace of cultural change in a large, established organisation, despite your best efforts.
What this role does not give you
  • A quiet, predictable work environment with minimal external scrutiny.
  • The luxury of focusing solely on technical EHS matters without significant business or financial considerations.
  • A role where you can avoid difficult conversations or challenging senior leaders.
  • A quick path to seeing every one of your strategic initiatives fully implemented without significant hurdles.

8Who you work with

This role directly shapes the company's long-term viability, reputation, and competitive advantage. Your decisions impact everything from our operational licence to operate, to our ability to attract and retain talent, and our standing with investors. You'll be instrumental in embedding a culture where safety and sustainability are seen as strategic enablers, not just compliance burdens. Frankly, the success or failure of our enterprise-level ESG commitments rests squarely on your shoulders.

Inside the business
  • CEO and Executive Leadership Team
  • Board Audit & Risk Committee
  • General Counsel and Legal Team
  • Chief Operations Officer (COO) and Global Operations Leaders
  • Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Investor Relations
  • Chief People Officer (CPO) and HR Leadership
Outside the business
  • Investors and ESG Rating Agencies
  • Global Regulatory Bodies (e.g., HSE, OSHA, EPA)
  • Industry Associations and Standard-Setting Bodies
  • External Auditors and Consultants
  • Media and Public Interest Groups
  • Key Suppliers and Partners

9What you need before you start

Not a wish list. The things you would be expected to already have.

  • 20+ years of progressive experience in Health, Safety, Environment, and Sustainability roles, with at least 5-7 years at a global Director or VP level.
  • Demonstrable experience leading and managing large, geographically dispersed EHS and Sustainability teams (100+ people, including managers).
  • A proven track record of influencing C-suite executives and Board members on strategic EHS and sustainability matters.
  • Extensive experience in managing major EHS crises, including leading incident investigations and managing external communications.
  • Deep understanding of global regulatory landscapes and experience in implementing compliance programmes across multiple jurisdictions.
  • Proven ability to integrate EHS and sustainability into core business strategy, demonstrating clear business value and ROI.

10What to practise next

Where the job is going, and what to do about it starting this week.

Advanced Supply Chain ESG Due Diligence

Increased scrutiny from regulators and consumers means we need to go beyond basic supplier audits. This involves leveraging advanced analytics, blockchain for traceability, and deeper social and environmental impact assessments throughout our entire value chain, not just Tier 1 suppliers.

Scope 3 Emissions Measurement · Blockchain for Traceability · Human Rights Impact Assessments (HRIA) · Circular Economy in Supply Chain

  • This quarter: Review our current supply chain due diligence processes and identify key gaps in ESG coverage.
  • Next 6 months: Pilot a new technology (e.g., a blockchain solution) for enhanced traceability in a critical part of our supply chain.
  • Next 12 months: Develop a strategy to extend ESG due diligence beyond Tier 1 suppliers.
  • Ongoing: Engage with procurement and operations leadership to embed these practices.

Quick win: Identify one high-risk product or material in our supply chain and initiate a deeper dive into its full ESG footprint. Ask for a report on our Scope 3 emissions.

Biodiversity & Natural Capital Assessment

Beyond carbon, the loss of biodiversity and degradation of natural capital (e.g., water, land) is a growing concern for investors and regulators. You'll need to understand how our operations impact natural ecosystems and how to integrate nature-positive strategies.

Science-Based Targets for Nature (SBTN) · Natural Capital Accounting · Ecosystem Services · Biodiversity Offsets & Net Positive Impact

  • This quarter: Read up on the TNFD (Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures) framework.
  • Next 6 months: Engage an external expert to conduct a preliminary natural capital assessment for one of our key operational sites.
  • Next 12 months: Develop a strategy for integrating biodiversity considerations into our site development and operational planning.
  • Ongoing: Look for opportunities to partner with conservation organisations.

Quick win: Ensure 'biodiversity impact' is a question asked during the planning phase of any new facility or major operational change. Start tracking our water usage more rigorously.

11Staying current once you are in

What people here do to keep up
  • Regularly engage with industry thought leaders and participate in executive-level forums on emerging EHS and sustainability trends.
  • Maintain active memberships in relevant professional bodies (e.g., IOSH, IEMA, ISSP) and contribute to industry best practice development.
  • Undertake continuous learning in areas such as climate science, AI ethics, and advanced data analytics relevant to EHS and ESG.
  • Mentor future EHS and sustainability leaders within the organisation, fostering a strong talent pipeline.

12The rising capability

The rising capability

Zavmo analysis

What's rising in its place

This is where the work is heading, and the higher pay with it. Get fluent here and the shift stops being a threat and starts being your edge.

AI Ethics & Governance in EHS

As AI becomes more embedded in safety systems (e.g., predictive analytics, automated inspections), understanding the ethical implications of data privacy, bias in algorithms, and accountability for AI-driven decisions will be paramount. We need to ensure AI enhances safety without creating new risks or ethical dilemmas.

  • Algorithmic Bias in Safety Data
  • Data Privacy & Surveillance
  • Accountability Frameworks for AI
  • Human-in-the-Loop Design

Climate Risk Integration into Financial Planning

Climate change isn't just an environmental issue; it's a financial risk. Investors and regulators increasingly demand that companies assess and disclose climate-related financial risks (e.g., physical risks to assets, transition risks from policy changes). You'll need to integrate these into our long-term financial planning and capital allocation.

  • TCFD Recommendations
  • Scenario Analysis for Climate Risks
  • Carbon Pricing & Internal Carbon Fees
  • Green Finance & Sustainable Investment

13What you’ll use

What you’ll use

Skills this role draws on

Technical

  • Enterprise Risk Management (ERM)
  • ESG Frameworks & Reporting (SASB, TCFD, GRI)
  • Global Regulatory Landscape & Compliance
  • Human and Organisational Performance (HOP) Principles
  • Process Safety Management (PSM)

14The pathway

The pathway

How you actually get there, here

How you become one varies far more by country than what one does. This is the UK route. Most people take one of these ways in; the right one depends on where you're starting from.

  1. 1

    Director, Global Health & Safety

    5-10 years as a Director

    Skills to master

    • Enterprise-level programme management, board reporting, global team leadership, strategic risk identification, and cross-functional influence at the executive level.

    You're ready to move on when

    • Consistent achievement of global EHS targets and significant improvements in safety culture across diverse regions.
    • Proven ability to manage multi-million-pound budgets and deliver strong ROI on EHS investments.
    • Demonstrated leadership during major incidents, effectively managing the response and recovery.
    • Strong relationships with C-suite peers and a track record of influencing strategic business decisions.
  2. 2

    VP of Operations (with strong EHS focus)

    7-12 years in Operations leadership

    Skills to master

    • Deep operational understanding, P&L management for large business units, integration of EHS into operational excellence, and driving cultural change from an operational perspective.

    You're ready to move on when

    • Leading a large operational division with impeccable EHS performance and a proactive safety culture.
    • Successfully integrating EHS into operational KPIs and driving efficiency gains through sustainable practices.
    • Demonstrated ability to balance production demands with safety imperatives, consistently prioritising the latter.
    • A strong personal commitment to EHS and a desire to lead the function at an enterprise level.

15Where this role leads

The long view: This role can lead to continuing to lead EHS and sustainability strategy at the highest level. It can also lead to broader executive or governance positions, such as Chief Executive Officer or Non-Executive Director.

The ten Future Fluencies

Zavmo analysis

The credential is what you can do today. These are what keep you valuable.

A qualification proves you can do the job as it's defined today. These ten are what decide whether you're still the obvious person for it in five years. They're the capabilities employers are now writing into senior roles faster than people are learning them. Zavmo weaves them through whatever you study, so you come out with both: the credential and the fluency.

The highlighted ones are the Fluencies your role leans on hardest, from how VP, EHS & Sustainability is actually changing.

Where it leads

Roles this leads to

Also named as a next step, with no page in the catalogue yet:

  • Non-Executive Director (NED) / Board Member

How you would learn this

One to one, on the work you already do

A tutor sets the task against your own job and marks the reasoning, at your pace. There is no cohort to fall behind.

A lesson from Corporate Social Responsibility as a Key Strategic Issue, worked against VP, EHS & Sustainability.

Corporate Social Responsibility as a Key Strategic Issue Level 7

Applied to your work in VP, EHS & Sustainability

This unit aims to enable learners to understand the importance of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in improving organisational performance and industry competitiveness, as well as its role in creating sustainability. Learners will be able to assess the impact of CSR initiatives on an organisation's performance and reputation.

How the thinking builds
  1. 1 Remember
  2. 2 Understand
  3. 3 Apply
  4. 4 Analyse
  5. 5 Evaluate
  6. 6 Create
An illustration of a Zavmo lesson, built from this role’s own route. The unit, its objective and every criterion above are the awarding body’s own words, not an example.

It is £70 a month, billed monthly. Your free first module is Future Fluency, and you can cancel any time.

See Your Progress Grow Illustration
VP, EHS & Sustainability
  • Enterprise Risk Management (ERM)
  • ESG Frameworks & Reporting (SASB, TCFD, GRI)
  • Global Regulatory Landscape & Compliance
  • Human and Organisational Performance (HOP) Principles
  • Process Safety Management (PSM)
This is your Mind Palace on learn.zavmo.ai. Every skill above comes from this role's own record, not an example borrowed from another job. A node lights up when you evidence it, and what you build stays yours between jobs. That is the part a course cannot do.

16The detail, folded away

Everything else the record holds

The career branches in full, how AI is already showing up in the day-to-day, and the questions people ask about this job. Here when you want them, out of the way while you decide.

Where it leads next, rung by rung

Where it leads

The career path, and where it branches

VP, EHS & Sustainability is a start, not a ceiling. Each step below asks for new skills and hands back more autonomy.

  1. Chief Operating Officer (COO)

    3-5 years

    Broader Executive Leadership

    • Lean Six Sigma at enterprise scale
    • Advanced manufacturing technologies
    • Global supply chain management
    • Strategic sourcing and procurement

  2. Non-Executive Director (NED) / Board Member

    3-7 years (often concurrent with or post-executive role)

    Board Governance & Oversight

    • Financial reporting and audit committee responsibilities
    • Executive compensation and nomination committee oversight
    • Investor relations from a board perspective
    • Cybersecurity governance
Working with AI on the job

Working with AI

Where AI is starting to help

At the C-suite level, your time is incredibly valuable. You're not just managing tasks; you're managing enterprise risk, reputation, and strategy. AI isn't here to replace your strategic judgment, but it can certainly cut through the noise, summarise vast amounts of information, and help you make faster, more informed decisions. Think of it as an executive assistant that never sleeps and can read a thousand documents in seconds.

Frankly, the sheer volume of regulatory updates, incident reports, and sustainability data you need to process is overwhelming. AI can help you stay on top of it all, giving you back precious hours that you can then spend on high-level strategic thinking, engaging with the Board, or building critical external relationships. It's about augmenting your capacity, not automating your role.

Automated Incident Triage & Executive Summaries

Imagine AI scanning thousands of incident and near-miss reports globally, identifying critical patterns, flagging high-potential events for your immediate attention, and then drafting a concise, board-ready executive summary within minutes. You'll get the critical insights without wading through every detail, allowing you to focus on strategic response.

Precursor Event Analysis & Predictive Risk

AI models can analyse millions of data points—from safety observations and training records to maintenance logs and weather patterns—to identify subtle precursor events that often lead to major incidents. This gives you a predictive edge, allowing you to direct resources to high-risk areas before a catastrophe, rather than just reacting to lagging indicators. It's about foresight, not hindsight.

Global Regulatory Change Summariser & Impact Analysis

Keeping up with ever-changing EHS and sustainability regulations across 50+ countries is a full-time job in itself. AI can monitor global regulatory databases, summarise key changes, identify which of our operations and policies are impacted, and even draft initial policy updates. You'll get the critical intelligence needed for strategic compliance without the manual effort.

ESG Disclosure & Investor Relations Drafting

When it comes to investor relations and ESG disclosures, precision and clarity are paramount. AI can help draft sections of your annual sustainability report, investor briefings, or responses to ESG rating agencies, ensuring consistent messaging and compliance with complex frameworks. It frees up your team to focus on data validation and strategic messaging, not just drafting.

Common questions

Common questions

How do you become a VP, EHS & Sustainability?

Common routes in include Director, Global Health & Safety (5-10 years as a Director) and VP of Operations (with strong EHS focus) (7-12 years in Operations leadership). Times vary with prior experience.

Where can a VP, EHS & Sustainability progress to?

This role can lead on to Chief Operating Officer (COO) (3-5 years) and Non-Executive Director (NED) / Board Member (3-7 years (often concurrent with or post-executive role)), depending on the skills you build.

What new skills matter most for a VP, EHS & Sustainability?

Increasingly, AI Ethics & Governance in EHS and Climate Risk Integration into Financial Planning. These are the skills our record of this role lists as growing.

Free tools

Want a read on where you stand?

Three free tools, no account needed. Each one ends with a role, a level and a way in.

Read the Zavmo manifesto to understand how you will be taught Meet your tutors

Or try another one

17Where to go from here

Other roles at Level 7

Same depth of qualification, different job. Useful if the work appeals but this particular role does not.

 More jobs in compliance, quality and safety

Stay in the field you know and move sideways rather than up.
If you leave this industry

Experience in enterprise risk, global compliance and sustainability transfers well across sectors with large operations, complex supply chains or heavy regulation, such as manufacturing, energy, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, logistics and mining. Experience at this executive level is recognised widely.

This role profile is © 2026 Growth Engineering Technologies Ltd. Built from UK occupational standards and regulated qualification data, and written for Zavmo.

You're not behind. You're right on time. The shift is only just beginning. Your role won't look the same in two years. Be the one who leads the change, not the one it happens to. Start my free Automation Fluency module What happens next: a free account, then we build your plan as you set up. No card. Build your plan, see your roadmap and meet the twelve tutors matched to you. All free. When you're ready to start learning, it's £70 a month, billed monthly. Cancel any time and billing stops.