Environmental Sustainability Lead

We’re building thriving communities as one of the UK’s largest housing groups and a leading developer of affordable housing.

We believe everyone is entitled to a good home they can afford, in a place they are proud to live. More than 100,000 people live in our homes.

If you want to experience work that’s truly rewarding, join us. Because when we achieve together, customers and communities thrive.

Work for Orbit. Believe in people.

The role

Orbit is delighted to be recruiting for an Environmental Sustainability Lead to join the organisation in supporting our current and future developments to achieve our 2030 strategy goals. The Environmental Sustainability Lead will play a pivotal role in coordinating and supporting Orbit's environmental and sustainability programme across the organisation. The role will ensure the effective implementation, maintenance and continual improvement of Orbit's Environmental Management System (EMS), supporting compliance with ISO 14001 while preparing the organisation for the transition to the revised 2026 ISO 14001 standard.

Working closely with operational teams, contractors and external assurance bodies, the coordinator will embed environmental best practice throughout Orbits developments and wider business operations. Alongside ensuring compliance, the role will help drive sustainability initiatives that contribute towards Orbit Earth ambitions, including Net Zero Carbon, Biodiversity (30by30), waste reduction and responsible resource management. This role requires a proactive individual who can engage and influence stakeholders at all levels, turning environmental commitments into practical actions across the business.

This role will be required to cover all of our geographical regions and will be expected to work from an Orbit office once per month - this can be based out of Coventry, Stratford upon Avon, Norwich, Kent or Erith, and will require a driving license and access to a car, to travel to visit each of our sites quarterly - across all regions.

This role is part of Regulatory & Governance where you'll help us give colleagues the support and expertise they need to be brilliant.

What you'll achieve

Environmental Management System (ISO 14001)

• Coordinate the day-to-day operation of Orbit's ISO 14001 Environmental Management System.
• Support the continual improvement of the EMS to ensure compliance with ISO 14001 requirements and readiness for the revised 2026 standard.

Environmental Compliance

• Support operational teams to ensure compliance with environmental legislation, planning conditions and company environmental standards.
• Work closely with sites to promote consistent environmental performance.

Sustainability & Environmental Projects

• Coordinate the delivery of environmental and sustainability projects across Orbit.
• Identify opportunities for innovation and improved environmental performance across the business.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Build strong working relationships with internal stakeholders
• Act as a key environmental contact, providing advice and practical support to colleagues.

Training & Awareness

• Promote a positive environmental culture that encourages ownership and continual improvement

Performance Monitoring & Reporting

• Support annual environmental reporting and sustainability disclosures.

What you'll bring

Essential skills

• Experience working within environmental management or sustainability.
• Knowledge of ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems.
• Understanding of UK environmental legislation.
• Excellent organisational and project coordination skills.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement abilities.
• Experience coordinating multiple workstreams simultaneously.
• Competent using Microsoft Office and environmental reporting systems.

Desirable skills

• Experience within construction, housing or property sectors.
• Internal Auditor qualification (ISO 14001).
• Membership of the Institute of Sustainability & Environmental Professionals (ISEP) or equivalent.
• Knowledge of biodiversity, Net Zero Carbon or environmental reporting frameworks.

Why Orbit?

Choosing us means being rewarded in every sense.

Here’s what you can expect to enjoy with us.

A rewarding experience that works for you

We strive to create an inclusive experience with benefits and wellbeing programmes designed to help you, and your loved ones, to thrive. For a better work life balance, we offer flexible working opportunities for many roles.

A place to progress

From training programmes to professional qualifications, we provide opportunities to learn and develop at every stage of your career. Whether you’re a student, graduate or experienced professional we’ll support you to grow.

For leaders, our tailored development journeys are designed to stretch and strengthen your leadership skills. As well as practical training, we give you access to renowned business schools and experiential programmes for greater breadth and depth of learning.

A purpose to feel proud of

We’re proud to make a difference to people together. We’re values-driven with a commercial focus on performance - because the more profit we make, the more we can achieve for people.

What brings us together is a passionate belief in progress and people.

Read more about the values and purpose that drive us on our careers website.

How we hire

We aim to make our hiring process simple and fair:

1. Online application
2. Interview(s)
3. Decision and offer

We put the safeguarding of our customers, colleagues and contractors at the heart of everything we do and as such, certain roles will be subject to a DBS check.