Director of Social Sustainability

We’re excited to be partnered with a leading property development and construction organisation to appoint a Director of Social Sustainability, a newly created, high-impact leadership role at the heart of their ESG agenda.

This is a unique opportunity to build and shape a social sustainability function, driving real, measurable impact across communities while influencing major development and construction projects. You’ll operate at both strategic and operational levels, embedding social value into the business and helping define its long-term approach to community impact, with a key focus on place-based outcomes, employment and education programmes, and long-term community partnerships.

What you’ll be doing:

• Lead & Shape Strategy – Define and evolve a market-leading social sustainability strategy, translating ambition into clear priorities, measurable targets and organisation-wide accountability.
• Drive Social Value Across Projects – Embed social sustainability across development, construction and operations, ensuring meaningful community impact from planning through to delivery.
• Champion Community Impact – Deliver high-impact, place-based initiatives spanning employment, skills, education and community investment, generating lasting local benefit.
• Inspire & Grow a High-Performing Team – Build and lead a high-performing, inclusive team, fostering collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement.
• Own Measurement, Governance & Reporting – Implement robust frameworks to measure, track and report impact (including S106), ensuring clear governance and credible ESG reporting.
• Build Strategic Partnerships & Influence – Cultivate trusted partnerships with key stakeholders and represent the organisation externally to enhance its social impact profile.
• Drive Continuous Improvement & Insight – Lead on emerging trends, regulation and best practice, continuously strengthening the organisation’s approach and impact.

Who they’re looking for:

• Strategic Leader with Vision – Proven track record of delivering impactful social sustainability strategies within complex organisations.
• Deep Subject Matter Expertise – Clear understanding of place-based impact, employment and skills, and ESG within development or construction environments.
• Influential Communicator – Credible and engaging, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders and build trusted external relationships.
• Builder & Innovator – Experienced in establishing functions, embedding governance and driving cross-business change.
• Commercially Aware Changemaker – Understands how social value drives bids, reputation and long-term business performance.
• Data-Driven & Impact-Focused – Skilled in measuring and translating social impact into clear, actionable insight.
• People-Focused Leader – Proven ability to build, develop and inspire high-performing teams.

Vacancy Reference: PR/(phone number removed)