UK

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

VP, Global EHS & Circularity

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.

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  • Experience bandC-Suite (20+ years)
  • Reports toChief Executive Officer (CEO)
  • UK framework levelUsually a director, accountable for a division and its numbers

Also advertised as Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) · Global Head of Product Stewardship & Circular Economy · Executive Director, Environmental, Health, Safety & Sustainability

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

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

The units you would start with

Waste and Resource Management Industry Awareness CIWM (WAMITAB) Level 2 Certificate for Waste and Resource Management Operative
Maintain health and safety in the waste resource management industry CIWM (WAMITAB) Level 4 Medium Risk Operator Competence for Storage of Non-Hazardous Wastes
Stakeholder communication and other non-legislative factors affecting the waste and resource management industry CIWM (WAMITAB) Level 4 Certificate in Waste and Resource Management
Understand operational systems and procedures in the waste/recycling industry CIWM (WAMITAB) Level 2 Certificate in Principles of Sustainable Resource 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
Sustainability Fluency building care for people and planet into the work
Change Fluency taking people through change
Your Plan Illustration

Built for VP, Global EHS & Circularity

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

  1. Waste and Resource Management Industry Awareness CIWM · covers 1 of 3 standards Level 2
  2. Maintain health and safety in the waste resource management industry CIWM · covers 1 of 3 standards Level 4
  3. Stakeholder communication and other non-legislative factors affecting the waste and resource management industry CIWM · covers 1 of 3 standards Level 4
  4. Understand operational systems and procedures in the waste/recycling industry CIWM · covers 1 of 3 standards Level 2
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, Global EHS & Circularity?

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

  • Climate Risk Integration & TCFD Reporting
  • Digital Transformation for EHS & Circularity
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, Global EHS & Circularity plan as you set up, starting with the free Data Fluency module. No card.

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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 leads environmental, health and safety strategy and circularity policy across a global business, reporting to the Board on performance and compliance. It involves setting direction on today's rules and shaping tomorrow's, while looking for environmental and commercial value.

4What you'd actually use

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

SimaPro / GaBi / OpenLCA Strategic

Setting the strategic direction for LCA software selection, ensuring integration with product development systems, and interpreting high-level results for executive decision-making.

SAP S/4HANA for Product Compliance / Sphera Product Stewardship Architect

Designing the enterprise-wide architecture for substance compliance management, overseeing platform implementation, and ensuring data integrity for global regulatory reporting.

Enablon / Cority / Intelex (EHS & GRC Platforms) Strategic

Leading the selection, configuration, and strategic deployment of enterprise-level EHS and GRC platforms to support global compliance, risk management, and sustainability reporting.

Microsoft Power BI / Tableau Strategic

Defining the global data architecture for EHS and circularity reporting, interpreting executive-level dashboards, and presenting key insights to the Board and investors.

Diligent Boards / Workday Adaptive Planning Architect

Preparing and packaging critical EHS and circularity performance data for board books, using planning tools to model financial impacts of strategic initiatives, and ensuring seamless executive reporting.

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
Enterprise EHS & Circularity Strategy N/A N/A N/A
Budget Allocation (EHS & Circularity) N/A N/A N/A
Major Regulatory Response N/A N/A N/A
Organisational Design & Key Hires (EHS & Circularity) 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.

ESG Rating Improvement
Our company's score in major Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) ratings (e.g., DJSI, MSCI, EcoVadis).
Target · Increase overall ESG score by 10 points annually for the next three years.

Moving from a 'BBB' to an 'A' rating with MSCI, or improving our DJSI percentile ranking from 60th to 70th.

Circular Economy Revenue/Cost Savings
New revenue generated from circular business models (e.g., product-as-a-service, remanufacturing) or cost savings from waste reduction and material efficiency.
Target · Generate £10M+ in new value (revenue or savings) from circular initiatives within three years.

A new remanufacturing programme for our core product line brings in £3M in sales and saves £2M in new material costs in its first year.

Global Waste Diversion Rate
The percentage of operational waste that is diverted from landfill through recycling, reuse, or energy recovery across all global sites.
Target · Achieve 95% global waste diversion from landfill within five years.

Increasing our global diversion rate from 80% to 85% by implementing new recycling streams in our Asian manufacturing plants.

Regulatory Compliance Fines & Incidents
The total financial penalties incurred from environmental or safety regulatory non-compliance, and the number of significant EHS incidents.
Target · Zero significant EHS incidents and zero regulatory fines above £100,000 annually.

Successfully navigating a new EU chemical regulation without any product recalls or market access issues, avoiding potential £5M+ fines.

Board & Investor Confidence
The Board and key investors actively seek your counsel on sustainability strategy and see you as a credible, trusted voice on these critical issues.
  • You're regularly invited to present at Board meetings, not just the ESG committee. Investors specifically ask for your insights during earnings calls or dedicated ESG briefings. You're seen as the 'go-to' for tough questions on our environmental impact or regulatory risks.
Organisational Integration of Circularity
Circular economy principles are embedded into core business processes across R&D, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, and Sales, not just seen as a 'compliance' issue.
  • Product development cycles routinely include 'design for circularity' gates. Supply chain teams proactively seek recycled content suppliers. Sales teams are trained to articulate the circular benefits of our products. You'll see this in project plans, budget allocations, and internal communications.
Thought Leadership & External Influence
Our company is recognised as a leader in EHS and circularity within our industry, actively shaping policy and best practices.
  • You're asked to speak at major industry conferences. Our company contributes to the development of new standards or regulations. Competitors look to us for best practices. This isn't about ego
  • it's about protecting our interests and driving the industry forward.

7Would you like it

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

What people enjoy
Driving Global Impact

You'll be working on initiatives that literally change how a global company operates, influencing its environmental footprint, product lifecycle, and social responsibility. This means seeing your strategic decisions play out across multiple countries and product lines.

Developing a new global product take-back scheme that prevents millions of units from going to landfill, or implementing a carbon reduction strategy that significantly lowers our global emissions.

Shaping the Future of Business

This role is at the forefront of business transformation. You'll be defining what 'sustainable business' means for us, integrating circular principles into our core strategy, and influencing how our industry evolves. It's about being a pioneer, not just a follower.

Leading the charge to integrate AI-powered circularity solutions across our supply chain, setting a new benchmark for the industry.

Strategic Leadership & Influence

You'll spend a significant amount of time engaging with the CEO, Board, and other C-suite executives, shaping their thinking and getting buy-in for your vision. This isn't about executing someone else's plan; it's about creating it and bringing others along.

Presenting a multi-year circular economy roadmap to the Board, securing £20M in funding and executive sponsorship.

What frustrates people
  • Dealing with internal resistance to change, especially when circularity initiatives require significant upfront investment or disrupt established processes.
  • Navigating the sheer complexity and often contradictory nature of global EHS and circular economy regulations.
  • The constant tension between ambitious sustainability goals and the pressure for quarterly financial performance.
  • Finding the right balance between 'doing good' and 'doing well' financially, and having to justify every investment.
  • The slow pace of change in large organisations, even with executive sponsorship.
What this role does not give you
  • A quiet, predictable routine – expect urgent requests and crises.
  • The ability to make unilateral decisions without significant consultation and buy-in.
  • A role focused solely on technical execution; this is about strategy and leadership.
  • An environment free from intense scrutiny from internal and external stakeholders.

8Who you work with

This role directly shapes the company's long-term sustainability and compliance posture, influencing everything from our brand reputation and investor confidence to our operational efficiency and market access. You'll be making decisions that affect our P&L by £10M+ annually, impacting thousands of employees and millions of customers. Frankly, you're a critical part of our future.

Inside the business
  • CEO and Executive Leadership Team (ELT)
  • Board of Directors (especially Audit and ESG Committees)
  • Heads of Product, R&D, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Legal, Finance, and Marketing
Outside the business
  • Key Investors and ESG Rating Agencies
  • Global Regulatory Bodies (e.g., ECHA, EPA, national environmental agencies)
  • Industry Associations and Standard-Setting Organisations
  • Major Customers and Strategic Partners

9What you need before you start

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

  • 20+ years of progressive leadership experience in EHS, Sustainability, or Circular Economy roles within a complex, multi-national organisation, with at least 5-7 years at Director or VP level.
  • Proven track record of successfully developing and implementing enterprise-wide EHS and circularity strategies that delivered measurable business and environmental outcomes.
  • Extensive experience managing significant P&L responsibilities (typically £5M+) and capital expenditure budgets.
  • Demonstrable experience presenting to and influencing Board-level executives, investors, and senior government officials.
  • Deep understanding of global EHS and circular economy regulatory landscapes, with experience navigating complex international compliance challenges.
  • A strong network within the EHS/sustainability community, including industry associations, NGOs, and regulatory bodies.

10What to practise next

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

Advanced Data Governance & Analytics for ESG

The increasing scrutiny on ESG data quality demands robust governance frameworks and advanced analytical capabilities. You'll need to ensure our ESG data is auditable, reliable, and can withstand external challenges. This is about building trust through transparency.

Data Lineage & Audit Trails · ESG Data Quality Frameworks · Predictive Analytics for Risk Management · Data Visualisation for Executive Insights

  • This quarter: Review our current ESG data governance framework with our Head of Data.
  • Next 6 months: Sponsor a project to implement a new data quality initiative for our core EHS metrics.
  • Next 12 months: Explore partnerships with external data analytics firms to enhance our predictive capabilities.
  • Month 18: Present a revised ESG data governance policy to the Audit Committee.

Quick win: Mandate a 'data quality check' for all major EHS and circularity reports before they reach your desk. It's about setting the expectation.

11Staying current once you are in

What people here do to keep up
  • Active participation in global industry associations (e.g., WBCSD, Ellen MacArthur Foundation, World Economic Forum) to stay abreast of trends and influence policy.
  • Regular engagement with executive education programmes focusing on ESG, climate finance, and circular economy leadership.
  • Mentoring emerging leaders within the EHS and circularity space, both internally and externally.
  • Publishing thought leadership articles or speaking at major conferences to position yourself and the company as an industry leader.

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.

Climate Risk Integration & TCFD Reporting

Climate change isn't just an environmental issue; it's a financial risk. Investors and regulators are increasingly demanding that companies assess and disclose climate-related financial risks and opportunities (as per TCFD recommendations). This is moving from 'nice-to-have' to mandatory for board-level reporting.

  • Physical vs. Transition Risks
  • Scenario Analysis
  • Scope 1, 2, 3 Emissions Accounting
  • Internal Carbon Pricing

Digital Transformation for EHS & Circularity

The sheer volume and complexity of EHS and circularity data demand advanced digital solutions. Companies that can effectively use AI, IoT, and blockchain to track materials, automate compliance, and optimise resource flows will gain a significant competitive advantage and improve reporting accuracy.

  • IoT for Real-time Monitoring
  • Blockchain for Supply Chain Traceability
  • Digital Twins for Product Lifecycle Management
  • AI-powered Compliance Automation

13What you’ll use

What you’ll use

Skills this role draws on

Technical

  • Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) & Strategic Application
  • Circular Business Model Innovation
  • Global EHS Management Systems (ISO 14001, 45001, 50001)
  • Product Stewardship & End-of-Life Strategy

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 EHS & Product Stewardship (L6)

    3-5 years

    Skills to master

    • Deepen understanding of business unit P&L, master cross-functional influence at the BU leadership level, and develop a track record of driving significant, measurable change across multiple regions.

    You're ready to move on when

    • Successfully led a major business unit's EHS and circularity strategy, delivering significant improvements in performance metrics.
    • Consistently influenced BU leadership on strategic investments and risk management.
    • Built and mentored a high-performing team of managers and specialists.
  2. 2

    VP, Sustainability (from another large organisation)

    N/A (direct entry)

    Skills to master

    • Adapt to our company's specific industry, culture, and regulatory landscape. Translate prior experience into our context quickly.

    You're ready to move on when

    • Proven track record of success in a similar C-suite or near-C-suite role at a comparable global company.
    • Demonstrated ability to quickly grasp new industry specifics and build credibility with a new executive team.
    • Strong external network and reputation in the sustainability space.
  3. 3

    Head of Corporate Affairs / Legal (with strong EHS focus)

    5-7 years

    Skills to master

    • Develop deep operational understanding of EHS and circular economy implementation, transition from a purely advisory/legal role to a direct operational and strategic leadership role.

    You're ready to move on when

    • Successfully led major regulatory negotiations or defended the company against significant environmental claims.
    • Developed a strong understanding of the operational realities of EHS and circularity beyond legal compliance.
    • Demonstrated ability to build and lead multi-disciplinary teams focused on execution.

15Where this role leads

The long view: This role can lead to a board position overseeing ESG and sustainability, or to work as a senior advisor guiding organisations on circular economy strategy.

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, Global EHS & Circularity is actually changing.

Where it leads

Roles this leads to

The record names a next step, but the catalogue has no page for it yet:

  • Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) / Chief ESG Officer
  • Chief Operating Officer (COO) / Chief Product Officer (CPO)

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 Waste and Resource Management Industry Awareness, worked against VP, Global EHS & Circularity.

Waste and Resource Management Industry Awareness Level 2

Applied to your work in VP, Global EHS & Circularity

1. To enable the learner to explain the purpose and core activities of the waste and recycling industry, along with key concepts such as waste minimisation, the waste hierarchy, and zero waste. 2. To enable the learner to identify and differentiate between various categories of waste, including hazardous and non-hazardous materials, and explain how to identify unacceptable wastes. 3. To enable the learner to explain the reasons for recycling from local authority and organisational perspectives, and describe Government recycling targets and aims for both business and domestic waste. 4. To enable the learner to describe different types of waste and other materials handled within the waste/recycling industry and explain how various recyclables are subsequently used. 5. To enable the learner to understand and describe physical, biological, and advanced thermal waste treatment technologies, and explain how wastes can be treated in relation to the waste hierarchy.

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, Global EHS & Circularity
  • Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) & Strategic Application
  • Circular Business Model Innovation
  • Global EHS Management Systems (ISO 14001, 45001, 50001)
  • Product Stewardship & End-of-Life Strategy
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, Global EHS & Circularity is a start, not a ceiling. Each step below asks for new skills and hands back more autonomy.

  1. Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) / Chief ESG Officer

    3-5 years

    Lateral move or slight elevation in scope

    • Expertise in social impact assessment and reporting.
    • Advanced knowledge of corporate governance frameworks and board effectiveness.
    • Ability to integrate D&I metrics and strategies into overall ESG performance.

  2. Chief Operating Officer (COO) / Chief Product Officer (CPO)

    5-7 years

    Significant elevation, broader P&L responsibility

    • Expertise in lean manufacturing and operational excellence methodologies.
    • Advanced skills in product portfolio management and market strategy.
    • Ability to manage large, multi-functional operational teams and budgets.
Working with AI on the job

Working with AI

Where AI is starting to help

Let's be real, at the C-suite level, your time is precious. You're not meant to be bogged down in data collection or drafting first reports. AI isn't here to replace your strategic thinking, but it can certainly amplify it, giving you back hours to focus on what truly matters: setting vision, influencing stakeholders, and driving enterprise transformation.

Imagine having a virtual executive assistant that sifts through mountains of data, summarises complex regulatory changes, and even drafts initial board reports for you. That's the power of AI in this role. It means less time on tedious preparation and more time on high-impact decision-making. Frankly, it's about making you more effective.

Automated ESG & Board Reporting

Use generative AI to pull structured data from our EHS and GRC platforms, combine it with qualitative insights from project summaries, and draft comprehensive sections of your quarterly Board and annual ESG reports. You'll spend your time refining the narrative, not building it from scratch.

Global Regulatory Intelligence

Deploy AI agents to continuously monitor thousands of global regulatory sources, legal journals, and industry news. Get daily, personalised briefings on only the most critical emerging EHS and circular economy policies that could impact our global operations or product portfolio. No more sifting through irrelevant updates.

Strategic Material & Technology Scouting

Leverage AI-powered research platforms to rapidly identify and analyse emerging sustainable materials, recycling technologies, and circular business models relevant to our industry. Get concise summaries of their potential impact, feasibility, and compliance implications, informing your long-term strategic investments.

Performance Anomaly Detection

Integrate AI into our EHS and circularity dashboards to automatically flag unusual spikes or drops in key metrics (e.g., waste generation, energy consumption, incident rates) across our global sites. This means you get immediate alerts to potential issues, allowing for proactive intervention before they escalate.

Common questions

Common questions

How do you become a VP, Global EHS & Circularity?

Common routes in include Director, Global EHS & Product Stewardship (3-5 years), VP, Sustainability (from another large organisation) (N/A (direct entry)) and Head of Corporate Affairs / Legal (with strong EHS focus) (5-7 years). Times vary with prior experience.

Where can a VP, Global EHS & Circularity progress to?

This role can lead on to Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) / Chief ESG Officer (3-5 years) and Chief Operating Officer (COO) / Chief Product Officer (CPO) (5-7 years), depending on the skills you build.

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

Increasingly, Climate Risk Integration & TCFD Reporting and Digital Transformation for EHS & Circularity. These are the skills our record of this role lists as growing.

Free tools

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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

Skills in EHS and circularity carry across most industries, particularly manufacturing, consumer goods, technology and energy. Demand for leaders who can work across these areas is likely to keep growing.

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 Data 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.