Social Value and Sustainability Lead

Oxford, Oxfordshire
CRG

Role:

Social Value and Sustainability Lead

Location:

Must be based in Oxford

• Develop and implement a social value and sustainability strategy, delivering a systemic approach to embedding sustainability and social value into everything we do, in collaboration with key stakeholders, supply chains, corporate partners, clients, and the communities we serve.
• Act as a champion for social value and sustainability within the business and when representing the organisation externally at events.
• Manage the budget for Social Value and oversee budgets granted to relevant networks (e.g., Women’s Network).
• Lead the development of relationships with local schools, colleges, social care providers, and charities to create employment opportunities for those less likely to access employment and manage the implementation of our Work Experience Programme.
• Provide quarterly executive updates on social value impact and produce an annual Social Impact Report.
• Equip colleagues and supply chain partners with the skills to reduce environmental impacts, carbon emissions, and maximise social value outcomes.
• Advise the business to secure the best social, economic, and environmental outcomes to meet targets, including social value, sustainable development, and inclusive growth in tenders, business development activities, organisational transformation, and continuous improvement.
• Work closely with the bid team and respond to sustainability and social value tendering requirements.
• Collaborate with colleagues to embed sustainability and social value delivery into contracts and project delivery.
• Liaise with early career professionals to develop their understanding of sustainability and social value.
• Collaborate with marketing and communications teams to create positive stories, case studies, and communicate these via social media channels.
• Use expertise to promote environmental stewardship, maximise social value and social return on investment, and provide advice to stakeholders.
• Work with local schools, colleges, social care providers, and charities to create employment opportunities for those less likely to access them.
• Promote good governance practices and ensure policies and standards related to environmental stewardship and social value are implemented.
• Collaborate with stakeholders and subject matter experts to develop ESG best practices, including monitoring, reporting, and analysis of ESG criteria across the business.
• Create resources and tools to support the business in understanding, implementing, and embedding ESG best practices.
• Develop and deliver ESG-focused campaigns and engagement programmes. Monitor ESG reporting trends to inform and shape practices.
• Stay informed about ESG regulatory developments and present recommendations to continuously improve the social value and sustainability offer.
• Lead on and contribute to sustainable development, social value, and inclusive growth research.

Who we are looking for:

Essential:

Extensive experience working with senior managers and stakeholders to develop and deliver organisation-wide strategies, frameworks, and policies.

Effective at planning, monitoring, and reviewing, with a focus on continuous improvement.

Excellent communication skills (both written and verbal) with the ability to build strong relationships.

Ability to make decisions, work well under pressure, and manage time effectively.

Experience supporting organisations in capturing, measuring, and reporting sustainability and social impacts.

Experience in environmental management and monitoring.

Proficient in Microsoft Office tools.

Strategic thinker with strong presentation skills.

Desirable:

Advanced technical knowledge and experience of social value investment models, measurement, and innovation.

Experience in commissioning services and managing contracts.

Social return on investment practitioner.

Programme/project management qualification.