Head of Sustainability

Dodds and Shute is a design-led procurement company, dedicated to sourcing the most sustainable furniture and lighting. We are a proud B Corp, with a mission to propel the design industry to a sustainable and responsible future, while providing an unrivalled level of expertise and customer service. In essence, we want the design sector to be beautiful, both inside and out. Founded in 2015, we are a growing team, passionate about design. Our clients include hotels, offices, residential, restaurants and more – check out some of our past projects here. Job Purpose The Head of Sustainability leads the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of Dodds & Shute’s sustainability strategy, ensuring the company maintains its position as an industry leader in ethical, responsible, and transparent furniture procurement. The role oversees all sustainability operations, internal processes, external communications, project-level compliance requirements, supplier sustainability standards, and team development. The role combines technical expertise on environmental credentials, circularity, sustainable materials, supplier audits, and sustainability reporting across all projects, with strong communication and external engagement. This includes participating in client pitches, representing the company externally on panels, and driving company communications to share the company mission. In addition, the role contributes to the strategic direction of the company as a whole, as sustainability and improving the design industry is a key part of Dodds & Shute’s mission. Duties and Responsibilities Responsible for providing leadership to the business from the sustainability department Manage the sustainability team, including setting individual and team KPIs, holding monthly 1 on 1s, running appraisals, leading HR decisions, and managing team workload and resourcing Report to Directors on staff performance and other HR aspects Deliver progress reporting to and collaborate with AM and PM departments and Directors to facilitate effective coordination on sustainability across the company Sit on the Leadership Team, providing feedback and input for strategic business decisions, such as resourcing, risks and opportunities Develop and give training including onboarding on sustainability to skill up the team Build the business, throughidentifying areas of the business that could be improved, share ideas for improvement, and take initiative to implement Uphold D&S culture values Responsible for defining and leading sustainability mission and strategy Develop, write, and maintain the company’s Sustainability Strategy, and sustainability‑related policies Lead continuous innovation and improvement of Dodds & Shute’s sustainability systems and services, including the product sustainability database, reporting, and supply chain management Drive alignment with external standards, industry updates and trends, and material developments Lead D&S mission as a B Corp, ensuring we retain certification and managing underlying policies Lead D&S ISO14001 certification, from the annual audit process to continuous improvement actions required Responsible for sustainability client services, project sustainability management and supporting sales process Act as the sustainability lead on client projects, clarifying sustainability requirements and monitoring progress, such as building certifications (WELL, BREEAM, SKA), circularity metrics, FSC, VOC certifications, carbon data, and responsible sourcing Review FF&E schedules to ensure compliance with client or rating requirements, providing advice to AM team and clients as necessary Oversee outreach to suppliers to obtain detailed sustainability data to meet project specifications Support the AM team to win more business through telling the sustainability mission, including generating collateral, responding to tenders, and attending client meetings, interviews or CPDs in person and virtually Represent D&S in person for client tenders. Present and answer questions on all matters relating to sustainability Generate data and analysis for AM team to support sales process and achievement of targets, such as on project sustainability performance Drive communications, training and external representation Manage company sustainability message and collateral and lead on external communications to promote mission and services, including company marketing, website and social media Oversee the creation and quality control of sustainability presentations, reports, and resources for internal and external audiences (e.g., for clients after project completion and annual D&S Sustainability Report) Drive external engagement to promote D&S as a leader in sustainability in the design sector, such as speaking on panels or sitting on Steering Groups Represent D&S at industry events Host workshops and industry events in D&S showroom relating to sustainability materials and trends Responsible for ensuring business operations have a minimal impact Oversee responsible supply chain management, primarily the supplier sustainability audit process including developing questionnaire, outreach and guidance to suppliers, managing third-party consultant work to score audits, and communication of outcomes internally and externally. Includes upholding Code of Conduct commitments Accountable for accurate internal sustainability data, primarily in the bespoke business software Manage D&S climate commitments and actions, such as the Net Zero target and carbon footprinting and offsetting programme Provide guidance on how to minimise office and business environmental impacts, such as deliveries’ practices and partners Knowledge, Experience & Skills 5 years’ previous experience in a similar role is required and previous experience within design, interiors or FF&E industries is preferred but not essential Strong understanding of building certifications (WELL, BREEAM, SKA), FSC, VOC certifications, and circular design principles is preferred but not essential Outstanding written and verbal communication for coordinating with clients and suppliers via phone and email (in English) Ability to translate technical sustainability requirements into clear guidance for internal and external stakeholders and to interpret and manage sustainability data at scale Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail is key Confident presenting to clients, leading training, and influencing suppliers Proven ability to manage stakeholders, juggle multiple projects, and work to demanding deadline Flexible, adaptable, and have a dynamic, hands‑on approach to your work Positive, with a can‑do attitude and a passion for the design and furniture industryand spearheading change Key Job Details and Benefits Office location: Office is based in Clerkenwell, London Hours of work: Mon‑Fri 9.00am to 17:30pm, with a 1-hour lunch break Holidays: 25 days per annum (excluding bank holidays) Pension plan: Match personal contributions up to 6% Salary: Please indicate your salary expectations Bonus: Bonus, linked to personal and company performance Events: Opportunities to attend industry events and socials in the evenings Sustainability: Work for a company with a clear mission to improve the industry To Apply We are looking for someone to start asap, so don't hesitate to apply as we are reviewing applicants on a rolling basis. Please send your CV and apply through the Indeed link provided. Please note, we will not review or consider applications made directly through LinkedIn. https://uk.indeed.com/job/head-sustainability-4b2c6903b3a0f5a6 #J-18808-Ljbffr