UK Environmental Sustainability Lead

OneStop ESG; England; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading European defence organisation is seeking an experienced environmental professional to lead sustainability initiatives. This role involves shaping activities related to greenhouse gas emissions, driving business improvements, and preparing compliance reporting. Ideal candidates will possess strong environmental management skills and a successful track record in large organizations. The position offers dynamic hybrid working with opportunities for impactful contributions to sustainability practices.

Benefits

Company Bonus up to 27%

Car allowance £300/month

Private Medical Insurance

Pension contribution up to 14%

Enhanced parental leave

Subsidised meals and free parking

Qualifications

• Track record in shaping and delivering practical solutions for business improvements.
• Commitment to self-development and continuous improvement.
• Demonstrable relevant experience in a large organization.

Responsibilities

• Shape business activities around scope 3 greenhouse emissions.
• Lead and collaborate with ESG team members.
• Prepare corporate reporting for UK legislation and regulations.

Skills

Environmental management knowledge

Effective stakeholder engagement

Driving change”,

Education

ISEP Full Membership level

Job description

Defence is necessary for peaceful prosperity. By doing business responsibly, MBDA UK supports our people, local communities and our planet. MBDA UK has a Strategy for ESG, Sustainability and Social Value, and is seeking an experienced and practical environmental professional, to lead delivery and reporting of environmental improvements across the business.

Dynamic (hybrid) working: 3 days per week on-site due to workload classification

Security Clearance: British Citizen or a Dual UK national with British citizenship. Restrictions and/or limitations relating to nationality and/or rights to work may apply. As a minimum and after offer stage, all successful candidates will need to undergo HMG Basic Personnel Security Standard checks (BPSS), which are managed by the MBDA Personnel Security Team.

What we can offer you:

• Company Bonus: Bonus of up to 27% of base salary
• Car allowance: £300 per monthly allowance
• Private Medical Insurance: Company funded for individual cover
• Pension: maximum total (employer and employee) contribution of up to 14%
• Flexible working: We welcome applicants who are looking for flexible working arrangements
• Enhanced parental leave: offers up to 26 weeks for maternity, adoption and shared parental leave -enhancements are available for paternity leave, neonatal leave and fertility testing and treatments
• Facilities: Fantastic site facilities including subsidised meals, free car parking and much more…

The Opportunity

You'll be responsible for shaping business-focused activities around scope 3 greenhouse emissions (particularly in relation to our current emission ‘hotspots' of waste, business travel, employee commuting and homeworking, transportation and distribution), enhancing biodiversity on our sites, and making other workplace-based environmental improvements.

You'll lead, influence and work with ESG team members, and colleagues in teams across the wider business (such as Facilities Management, Safety Health and Environment, Sustainable Procurement, Travel, Site Management, Engineering) to deliver them. You'll understand how to turn activity into outputs and positive outcomes. You'll be experienced in driving change and delivering improvements that support both sustainability and wider business performance.

Furthermore, you will be responsible for the preparation of corporate reporting required to comply with UK legislation and regulation, and customer requirements. Currently, this is primarily the company's Climate-related Financial Disclosure and Carbon Reduction Plan.

There's an international dimension to this role, too. You'll work with peers in our Group and sister companies in France, Italy and Germany, as we respond to EU requirements to address sustainability risk, performance and reporting. This will likely require an extension to current scope 3 activities.

What we're looking for from you:

• Being a catalyst for change, with a track‑record in shaping and delivering practical and business‑appropriate solutions that drive both environmental and business improvements.
• Behaviours that align with our values of team spirit, commitment, integrity, passion and innovation.
• Environmental management knowledge and skills equivalent to, or higher than, Institute of Sustainability and Environmental Professionals (ISEP, formerly IEMA) Full Membership level (MISEP)
• Effective stakeholder engagement, with colleagues at all level of the business.
• Commitment to self‑development and continuous improvement.
• Demonstrable, relevant experience in a large company or organisation.

You'll report into the MBDA Head of UK Sustainability and Social Value, and work closely with team colleagues including a Sustainability Project Manager, Energy Manager (who manages energy efficiency and scope 1 and 2 emissions) and sustainability leads in Greater Engineering and Procurement.

Location: England, United Kingdom

Work Type: Full Time

Salary: Salary not disclosed

MBDA UK

MBDA UK is a leading European defence organisation specialising in missile systems and advanced defence technologies. Operating across the UK, France, Italy, and Germany, MBDA collaborates closely with governments, armed forces, and international partners to enhance national security and protect sovereignty. The company plays a central role in developing complex weapons systems that equip the military with advanced capabilities while contributing to global stability. Alongside its core defence work, MBDA embeds ESG, sustainability, and social value into its corporate strategy—emphasising responsible business practices, environmental stewardship, and community impact. With a workforce dedicated to innovation, engineering excellence, and ethical operations, MBDA is committed to reducing carbon emissions, enhancing biodiversity, improving environmental performance across its sites, and complying with the latest UK and EU sustainability regulations. Its employee-led inclusion networks further reinforce a culture of diversity, wellbeing, and shared responsibility.

Join their mission to create a sustainable future.