Head of Sustainability

Role Purpose

In An Post sustainability informs every aspect of our business, every single day, enabling us to deliver benefits to our employees, our customers and the communities we serve.  Reporting to the Chief Transformation Officer, in this role you will act as the subject matter expert on all aspects of sustainability to enable the realisation of An Post’s ambitious and award winning sustainability strategy and commitments. The role is multifaceted - you will be responsible for conducting materiality assessments, developing sustainability strategies and driving the progress of activities, as well as developing and delivering sustainability reporting and communications campaigns. This is an exciting opportunity to join a one of Ireland’s leading organisations, and impact the future success of its sustainability strategy.

Responsibilities 

• Work with the Chief Transformation Officer to set the sustainability strategy and design sustainability programmes and initiatives to deliver the required results.

• Enhance and deliver the sustainability roadmap, ensuring progress is driven and commitments are realised, as well as identifying ways to have a positive impact above and beyond it.

• Work with stakeholders and colleagues to integrate sustainability into business activities.

• Monitor emerging global and industry trends in sustainability reporting, legislation, innovation and regulation, and develop strategies to maximise opportunities and minimise risk while bringing in best practices gathered from external sources.

• Build relationships with market leaders, academics, advisors and partners to ensure we remain at the forefront of sustainability developments, managing them on relevant engagements.

• Build relationships with international Posts and act as the company’s sustainability representative at industry meetings to share best practice.

• Oversee alignment with sustainability reporting frameworks at domestic, industry, EU and international levels, including TCFD, GRI, and CSRD.

• Manage and coordinate the production of the annual Sustainability Report as well as other sustainability reporting, assurance and governance, ensuring fit with organisational governance and control frameworks.

• Work with subsidiaries to ensure alignment with An Post’s strategy and commitments.

• Work with the Finance team to establish processes and procedures for data collection (both qualitative and quantitative) for disclosures to meet European Sustainability Reporting Standards.

• Work with the Communications, Brand and Marketing teams to craft, evolve and strengthen sustainability messaging.

• Work with the Sustainable Infrastructure and Facilities Management team to develop and implement energy and environmental initiatives.

• Work with the Procurement team to develop policies to manage supply chain risk and proactively engage our suppliers to ensure consistency with our sustainability values and standards.

• Work with the HR team to align incentives and remuneration with our purpose and sustainability commitments.

• Develop and deliver internal sustainability training programmes as required, including the employee engagement programme.

• Prepare material for senior executives representing An Post at external sustainability meetings and events, standing in where required, to help bring our sustainability journey to life.

• Prepare management information and reports for the Board of Directors and Management Board as required.

• Demonstrate An Post “Shaping Our World” behaviours in your day to day work and address behaviour that supports/conflicts with them. 

Knowledge & Experience 

You are an inspirational leader with a passion for sustainability, combined with the ability to drive change within an organisation. You are familiar with the major sustainability reporting frameworks, have a sound understanding of An Post’s sustainability strategy and have a proven track record in establishing and implementing organisation-wide strategy and delivering measurable success.

You have exceptional communication and influencing skills which enable you to develop credibility across an organisation as well as maintaining an experienced network of external contacts and are comfortable liaising with industry groups to gain valuable insights. This is a highly collaborative role in which you will engage cross-functional stakeholders, including C-suite, and as such, confidence communicating at all levels within an organisation is an integral element of this role. You have the ability to create and present a compelling vision and set clear direction, motivating, inspiring and empowering colleagues to work towards a common set of goals.

You have a relevant third level degree and a minimum of 8 years of relevant experience in a leadership role, with at least 3 years in a strategy or change management role. Formal qualifications in sustainability are welcomed, but not required, with appropriate levels of practical experience.

Critical Competencies

• Strategic Focus

• Problem Solving & Analysis

• Initiative

• Influencing & Gaining Commitment

• Innovation

About the Benefits 

In addition to a highly competitive remuneration package we offer access to the following: 

• An Post Company Medical Scheme 
• An Post Pension Scheme 
• PRIP Bonus Scheme 
• Paid Maternity Leave 
• Paid Paternity Leave 
• An Post Employee Assistance Programme  
• Digital gym with daily scheduled workouts 
• Secure on-site bicycle parking & Cycle to Work Scheme 
• Tax Saver Travel Pass  
• City centre location
• Hybrid Working    

How to Apply?  

We welcome all interested candidates to submit a detailed CV to talent@anpost.ie by 5.00pm on Monday, 27^th February 2023.
 
At An Post we appreciate the value that diversity brings and believe our workforce should be reflective of the customers and communities we serve. That is why we actively welcome applications from people from all backgrounds, and do not discriminate based on gender, age, race, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, membership of the Travelling community, or family status. An Post is committed to having an inclusive workplace where every employee feels they belong. If you require accommodations to be made during the recruitment process, or have questions relating to accessibility, please contact us at (01) 705 8329 or email talent@anpost.ie.

About An Post 

An Post is one of Ireland’s leading organisations, offering financial and postal services as well as being a trusted gateway to government services. We are transforming from the old world of traditional letters and cash to the new digital world of e-commerce parcels and financial services. We are committed to digital transformation enabling us to build customer-centred competitive services.
 
An Post’s core purpose — to act for the common good, improving the lives of people in Ireland, now and for generations to come — is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, putting sustainability at the centre of everything we do. Corporate Social Responsibility plays a pivotal role at An Post as we focus on developing long-term sustainability. Diversity and Inclusion are also embedded in our strategy, as we continuously evolve to be representative of our employees and the communities we serve. Read more about our strategy and our progress here today!