UK

United Kingdom · Compliance, quality and safety · 20+ years

Director of 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.

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  • Experience band20+ years
  • Direct reports3-8 reports
  • Reports toChief Operating Officer (COO) or C-Suite Executive
  • UK framework levelUsually a director, accountable for a division and its numbers

Also advertised as Head of Environmental, Health & Safety · VP, Sustainability & Compliance · EHS & ESG Director

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

Highfield Level 7 NVQ in Construction Senior Management (RQF) Highfield Qualifications · Level 7 · covers 1 of 10 standards
NOCN Level 5 Diploma in Civil Engineering NOCN · Level 5 · covers 1 of 10 standards
NOCN Level 5 Diploma in Electronic and Communications Engineering NOCN · Level 5 · covers 1 of 10 standards
City & Guilds Level 5 Certificate in Leadership and Management City & Guilds Limited · Level 5 · covers 1 of 10 standards

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

The units you would start with

Direct the management of design development and processes in construction management Highfield Level 7 NVQ in Construction Senior Management (RQF)
Maintain Systems and Processes for Health, Safety, Welfare and Environmental Protection in an Engineering Environment NOCN Level 5 Diploma in Computer Engineering (Information Technology and Data Science)
Maintain Systems and Processes for Health, Safety, Welfare and Environmental Protection in a Working Environment NOCN Level 5 Diploma in Civil Engineering
Managing a healthy and safe environment City & Guilds Level 5 Certificate in Leadership and Management

The future skills this job leans on

Data Fluency turning numbers into a decision
AI Governance Fluency using AI responsibly
Sustainability Fluency building care for people and planet into the work
Foresight Fluency seeing round the corner
Your Plan Illustration

Built for Director of EHS & Sustainability

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

  1. Direct the management of design development and processes in construction management Highfield Qualifications · covers 1 of 10 standards Level 7
  2. Maintain Systems and Processes for Health, Safety, Welfare and Environmental Protection in an Engineering Environment NOCN · covers 1 of 10 standards Level 5
  3. Maintain Systems and Processes for Health, Safety, Welfare and Environmental Protection in a Working Environment NOCN · covers 1 of 10 standards Level 5
  4. Managing a healthy and safe environment City & Guilds Limited · covers 1 of 10 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 Director of 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

  • Climate Risk Integration & TCFD Reporting
  • Circular Economy Strategy & Implementation
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 Director of EHS & Sustainability plan as you set up, starting with the free Data Fluency module. No card.

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3What this role really is

A Director of EHS & Sustainability sets the strategic direction for environmental, health and safety across a business unit. The work covers regulatory compliance, sustainability planning, and the wellbeing of the workforce. It involves leading a team, handling complex regulatory issues, and reporting strategy to senior leadership.

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

Leads platform selection, defines enterprise-wide data governance, oversees integration with ERP systems, champions data-driven decision-making for sustainability initiatives.

Regulatory Database (e.g., ENHESA, RegScan) Strategic

Sets policy on regulatory monitoring scope, briefs executive leadership on significant legislative risks and opportunities, uses insights to shape future strategy.

Data Analytics & Visualisation (e.g., Power BI, Tableau) Architect

Defines the overall EHS data strategy, champions data-driven decision-making for sustainability initiatives, presents insights to the board, oversees dashboard development for strategic KPIs.

GIS Software (e.g., ArcGIS Pro, QGIS) Strategic

Oversees use of GIS for site selection, enterprise risk mapping, visualising portfolio-wide environmental liabilities, and informing strategic land use decisions.

Enterprise Resource Planning (e.g., SAP EHS Module, Oracle EHS) Strategic

Works with IT to define requirements for EHS module implementation or enhancement, ensures data integrity for corporate reporting, aligns EHS data with broader business processes.

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
EHS Strategy & Policy Setting No involvement; follows established policies. Proposes minor improvements to existing policies within a specific programme. Designs and implements new policies for specific workstreams; makes recommendations for broader policy changes.
Capital Expenditure Approval (EHS-related) Requests minor equipment purchases (under £1K) from supervisor. Recommends equipment purchases (up to £5K) to manager. Proposes capital projects (up to £50K) with detailed justification to Director.
Regulatory Engagement & Response Assists with data collection for regulatory reports; no direct engagement. Drafts responses to routine regulatory information requests; participates in site inspections. Leads responses to complex regulatory enquiries; represents the company in routine regulatory meetings.

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.

Environmental Incident Rate (LTI, Spills, Non-conformances)
The frequency and severity of environmental incidents and regulatory non-conformances across the business unit.
Target · Zero major incidents; 10% year-on-year reduction in minor incidents and regulatory non-conformances.

Reducing the number of reportable environmental spills from five to zero within a 12-month period across all sites, or achieving no major non-conformances in the annual ISO 14001 certification audit for the business unit.

Carbon Footprint Reduction (Scope 1 & 2)
Progress towards our defined targets for reducing direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions.
Target · Achieve a 10-15% reduction in Scope 1 & 2 emissions (absolute or intensity-based) within a three-year strategic cycle.

Overseeing projects that lead to a 12% reduction in electricity consumption across the business unit, directly contributing to Scope 2 emissions reduction targets.

EHS Budget Adherence & ROI
Managing the EHS budget effectively, demonstrating a return on investment for key sustainability projects.
Target · Maintain expenditure within ±5% of allocated budget; secure funding for at least two strategic EHS capital projects (each >£250K) per year with a clear ROI.

Successfully securing a £500K budget for a new wastewater treatment system that reduces discharge costs by £150K annually, demonstrating a payback period of under four years.

Regulatory Compliance Assurance Score
An internal or external audit score reflecting the overall state of regulatory compliance across the business unit.
Target · Maintain an average compliance score of 90%+ across all internal and external EHS audits.

Achieving an 'Excellent' rating in the annual regulatory compliance audit conducted by an independent third party, with no critical findings.

Strategic Influence & Board Engagement
Your ability to shape the broader business strategy by integrating EHS and sustainability considerations at the highest levels.
  • Regularly invited to C-suite strategic planning sessions
  • EHS risks and opportunities are consistently discussed in board reports
  • your recommendations directly influence major investment decisions
  • you're seen as a trusted advisor, not just a compliance officer.
Team Leadership & Development
How effectively you build, mentor, and empower your EHS team, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.
  • High retention rates within your direct team
  • clear succession plans for key roles
  • positive feedback from direct reports (e.g., through engagement surveys)
  • your team consistently delivers high-quality work and takes initiative
  • you're actively coaching and developing future leaders.
Cross-Functional Collaboration & Change Leadership
Your skill in driving EHS and sustainability initiatives across different departments and business functions, often requiring significant cultural change.
  • EHS considerations are embedded into new product development or operational changes from the outset
  • other departments proactively seek your input
  • successful implementation of major EHS programmes (e.g., new waste segregation, energy efficiency drives) across multiple sites with strong buy-in
  • you're seen as a partner, not a blocker.

7Would you like it

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

What people enjoy
Making a Tangible Impact on Sustainability

You'll be leading projects that visibly reduce our carbon footprint, minimise waste, and improve resource efficiency across the business unit. Seeing these initiatives come to life and deliver real environmental benefits will be a core driver.

Successfully launching a programme that diverts 90% of operational waste from landfill, or implementing a water recycling system that saves millions of litres annually.

Protecting People & Reputation

Your work directly contributes to creating a safer, healthier workplace for hundreds, if not thousands, of employees. Preventing serious incidents and safeguarding the company's reputation from regulatory breaches will be a constant, powerful motivator.

Implementing a new safety culture programme that leads to a significant reduction in lost-time incidents, or successfully navigating a complex regulatory inspection without any major findings.

Strategic Leadership & Organisational Change

You'll be at the forefront of defining and driving significant organisational change, influencing senior leaders, and building high-performing teams. The opportunity to shape the future direction of EHS and sustainability for a large business unit will be highly rewarding.

Developing and gaining C-suite approval for a new ESG strategy that integrates sustainability targets into every business function, or building a new EHS management team from the ground up.

What frustrates people
  • The constant tension between EHS compliance and operational pressure to cut costs or speed up production.
  • The slow pace of cultural change, even after years of effort to embed EHS thinking.
  • Chasing overdue corrective actions from other departments, feeling like a broken record.
  • Dealing with legacy systems or processes that make data collection and analysis unnecessarily difficult.
  • The sheer volume of regulatory updates and the effort required to interpret and implement them across diverse operations.
  • Having to justify the 'value' of EHS and sustainability repeatedly, despite clear business risks.
What this role does not give you
  • A quiet, predictable routine with minimal stakeholder interaction.
  • A role where you can avoid difficult conversations with senior leaders.
  • A path where all your recommendations are immediately adopted without challenge.
  • A place where you'll never have to compromise or adapt your ideal solution to fit business realities.

8Who you work with

This role directly shapes the environmental and safety culture, operational risk profile, and sustainability performance across an entire business unit. Your decisions impact everything from our carbon footprint and waste generation to employee wellbeing and our public image. You'll be accountable for ensuring we meet all regulatory obligations, avoid major incidents, and drive continuous improvement in our ESG performance. Essentially, you're safeguarding our future.

Inside the business
  • COO and other C-Suite Executives
  • Operations Directors (across multiple sites)
  • Legal & Regulatory Affairs
  • Head of Finance (for budgeting and investment)
  • HR Director (for safety culture and wellbeing)
  • Procurement & Supply Chain Leadership
Outside the business
  • Environmental Agency (EA) and other national regulators
  • Local Authorities
  • External auditors (e.g., ISO 14001, ISO 45001 registrars)
  • Industry associations and peer groups
  • Key suppliers and contractors
  • Local communities and NGOs

9What you need before you start

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

  • Proven track record of leading EHS functions for at least 5-8 years within a complex, multi-site industrial or manufacturing environment.
  • Demonstrable experience in successfully implementing and maintaining ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 certified management systems.
  • Significant experience presenting to and influencing C-suite executives and board members on EHS and sustainability topics.
  • A history of successfully managing and developing teams of EHS professionals.
  • Prior experience managing significant EHS budgets (e.g., £500K+).

10What to practise next

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

Advanced EHS Data Analytics & AI Governance

The volume and complexity of EHS data are exploding. You'll need to move beyond basic dashboards to understand how predictive analytics and AI can identify subtle risk patterns, optimise resource use, and automate compliance checks. More importantly, you'll need to govern the ethical and accurate use of AI in EHS.

Machine Learning for Anomaly Detection · Natural Language Processing (NLP) for Regulatory Intelligence · Data Ethics & Bias in AI · AI Model Interpretability

  • This month: Read up on the basics of AI in EHS and identify one area where it could offer a strategic advantage.
  • Next quarter: Engage with our IT/Data Science team to understand their current AI capabilities and potential applications for EHS.
  • Within 6 months: Commission a pilot project using AI for predictive maintenance on a key environmental control system.
  • Within 12 months: Develop internal guidelines for the ethical and responsible use of AI within the EHS function.

Quick win: Start experimenting with AI tools (like ChatGPT or Claude) for drafting initial summaries of complex EHS reports or brainstorming solutions to regulatory challenges. See what it can do.

11Staying current once you are in

What people here do to keep up
  • Regularly attend industry conferences and seminars on emerging EHS regulations, climate change, and sustainability trends.
  • Participate in peer networking groups for EHS Directors to share best practices and challenges.
  • Undertake executive education programmes focused on strategic leadership, change management, or ESG integration.
  • Actively contribute to professional bodies through committees or working groups, helping to shape industry standards.

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. Regulators and investors are increasingly demanding disclosure on climate-related risks and opportunities (e.g., Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures - TCFD). Your ability to integrate climate risk into business strategy and financial reporting will be paramount.

  • Physical vs. Transition Risks
  • Scenario Analysis
  • TCFD Pillars (Governance, Strategy, Risk Management, Metrics & Targets)
  • Carbon Pricing & Internal Carbon Fees

Circular Economy Strategy & Implementation

The linear 'take-make-dispose' model is unsustainable. Governments and consumers are pushing for circularity – keeping materials in use for longer. Your role will shift from just managing waste to designing out waste and maximising resource value, requiring a fundamentally different approach to operations and supply chains.

  • Waste Hierarchy (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Recover, Dispose)
  • Product-as-a-Service Models
  • Industrial Symbiosis
  • Material Flow Analysis

13What you’ll use

What you’ll use

Skills this role draws on

Technical

  • ISO 14001 & ISO 45001 Management Systems
  • Environmental Regulatory Strategy & Compliance
  • Sustainability Reporting & ESG Frameworks
  • Risk Management & Due Diligence (EHS)
  • Root Cause Analysis (RCA) & Incident Investigation
  • Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) & Circular Economy Principles

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

    From Senior EHS Manager (Multi-Site/Regional)

    5-8 years in a multi-site management role before Director

    Skills to master

    • Strategic budget management, complex stakeholder negotiation, enterprise risk assessment, leading large-scale change programmes, C-suite communication.

    You're ready to move on when

    • Successfully led EHS for a significant region or business division, demonstrating measurable improvements.
    • Consistently delivered on major EHS projects (e.g., new system implementations, significant incident reductions).
    • Proven ability to influence senior operational leaders and manage a team of EHS professionals.
  2. 2

    From Head of Sustainability / ESG

    5-7 years leading a dedicated sustainability function

    Skills to master

    • Deep operational EHS compliance knowledge, incident management, health & safety regulatory expertise, integrating sustainability into core business operations beyond reporting.

    You're ready to move on when

    • Successfully developed and implemented a corporate sustainability strategy, including ESG reporting.
    • Demonstrated ability to engage with investors and external rating agencies on ESG performance.
    • Proven experience translating high-level sustainability goals into actionable operational programmes.
  3. 3

    From Senior Regulatory Affairs / Compliance Lead

    7-10 years in a senior compliance role, often with an environmental focus

    Skills to master

    • Team leadership and development, budget management, incident response, health & safety programme implementation, driving cultural change.

    You're ready to move on when

    • Expertise in navigating complex regulatory environments and managing regulatory relationships.
    • A track record of successfully mitigating significant compliance risks.
    • Demonstrated ability to translate legal requirements into practical operational controls.

15Where this role leads

The long view: This role can lead to positions such as Chief Sustainability Officer or Chief Operating Officer, or a broader VP role covering risk and compliance across the organisation.

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 Director of EHS & Sustainability 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) / VP, ESG

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 Direct the management of design development and processes in construction management, worked against Director of EHS & Sustainability.

Direct the management of design development and processes in construction management Level 7

Applied to your work in Director of EHS & Sustainability

The objective of this unit is to enable learners to direct the management of design development and processes in construction management, including the identification, assessment, and mitigation of potential hazards and risks. Learners will be able to manage the design process, coordinate with stakeholders, and monitor the effectiveness of risk mitigation measures.

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
Director of EHS & Sustainability
  • ISO 14001 & ISO 45001 Management Systems
  • Environmental Regulatory Strategy & Compliance
  • Sustainability Reporting & ESG Frameworks
  • Risk Management & Due Diligence (EHS)
  • Root Cause Analysis (RCA) & Incident Investigation
  • Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) & Circular Economy Principles
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

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

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

    3-5 years as Director of EHS & Sustainability

    L7 (C-Suite)

    • Developing and overseeing enterprise-wide ESG frameworks and reporting standards.
    • Leading corporate-level climate strategy and decarbonisation pathways.
    • Engaging with global policy makers and industry bodies on sustainability issues.
    • Driving sustainable finance and impact investing initiatives.
Working with AI on the job

Working with AI

Where AI is starting to help

Let's be real, leading EHS and Sustainability at a Director level means juggling strategy, team management, regulatory oversight, and constant reporting. There's never enough time. But what if you could offload some of the heavy lifting to AI, freeing you up for truly strategic work and high-impact decisions? That's exactly what our AI Productivity Hub is designed to do.

We're not talking about replacing your expertise, but augmenting it. Imagine having an intelligent co-pilot that helps you stay ahead of regulatory changes, predict compliance risks, and even draft complex reports. Our AI tools are here to give you back precious hours, allowing you to focus on shaping our future, not just managing the present.

Proactive Regulatory Foresight

Use AI to scan global and national regulatory landscapes, identifying emerging environmental and safety legislation that could impact our business unit. Get concise summaries of potential changes, their implications, and even initial recommendations for strategic adaptation, well before they become urgent problems. It's like having a crystal ball for compliance.

ESG Reporting & Disclosure Automation

Automate the collation and initial drafting of complex ESG reports (e.g., GRI, SASB, TCFD). Feed in raw data, and AI can generate narrative sections, identify data gaps, and even suggest areas for improvement, drastically cutting down the time spent on tedious reporting cycles. You'll focus on the story, not just the numbers.

Predictive Risk Modelling & Scenario Planning

Apply advanced AI models to historical incident data, operational parameters, and external factors (like weather patterns) to predict potential environmental or safety incidents before they occur. Use AI to run 'what-if' scenarios for climate risks or supply chain disruptions, informing your strategic resilience plans. This moves you from reactive to truly proactive.

Stakeholder Communication & Briefing Assistant

Use AI to quickly draft executive summaries, board briefings, and external communications on complex EHS topics. Input technical reports or meeting notes, and get a polished, audience-appropriate draft in minutes. This frees you up to refine the message and focus on engaging your audience, rather than wrestling with words.

Common questions

Common questions

How do you become a Director of EHS & Sustainability?

Common routes in include From Senior EHS Manager (Multi-Site/Regional) (5-8 years in a multi-site management role before Director), From Head of Sustainability / ESG (5-7 years leading a dedicated sustainability function) and From Senior Regulatory Affairs / Compliance Lead (7-10 years in a senior compliance role, often with an environmental focus). Times vary with prior experience.

Where can a Director of EHS & Sustainability progress to?

This role can lead on to Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) / VP, ESG (3-5 years as Director of EHS & Sustainability), depending on the skills you build.

What new skills matter most for a Director of EHS & Sustainability?

Increasingly, Climate Risk Integration & TCFD Reporting and Circular Economy Strategy & Implementation. These are the skills our record of this role lists as growing.

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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 sustainability apply across industries with large operational footprints, including manufacturing, energy, logistics and infrastructure. Experience in regulatory work, risk management and strategic influence carries across sectors.

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.