Chief Sustainability Officer

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Job Description
Company Description Veolia Group aims to be the benchmark company for ecological transformation. With nearly 220,000 employees worldwide, the Group designs and provides game-changing solutions that are both useful and practical for water, waste and energy management. Through its three complementary business activities, Veolia helps to develop access to resources, preserve available resources and replenish them. In 2021, the Veolia group provided 79 million inhabitants with drinking water and 61 million with sanitation, produced nearly 48 million megawatt hours and recovered 48 million tonnes of waste. Veolia Environnement (Paris Euronext: VIE) achieved consolidated revenue of 28,508 billion euros in 2021. 
****Job Description Summary
To develop and implement a world class corporate sustainability program to match and accentuate the ecological transformation mission of Veolia Environment and Veolia North America as the world’s leading environmental services provider.
Primary Duties /  Responsibilities
Sustainability Program Management
Assess existing sustainability and ESG program elements to identify foundational components and build organizational and programmatic structure to align existing resources with post-merger sustainability initiative, including preparation of baseline report and recommendations for structural modifications to ensure institutionalization of sustainability initiative
Work with Executive Committee to establish corporate sustainability strategy and targeted ESG performance metrics, including phased and prioritized implementation and adaptive management strategies with annual and long-term goals and objectives
Align sustainability program reporting and management with existing corporate compliance, auditing, EHS and related roles to ensure efficient integration and alignment
Amplify and support implementation of existing and future corporate environmental policies and procedures in coordination with business unit leadership to ensure culture of environmental compliance and stewardship
Develop data management and reporting structure to ensure real-time performance and assessment against metrics and goals to ensure transparency and accountability in implementation
Manage preparation of annual sustainability report and regular status reports to Executive Committee
Develop and manage budget for sustainability program development and implementation with an emphasis on aligning resource needs within existing operating budgets
Align internal corporate sustainability strategy with external sustainability as a service business initiative, including developing and marketing case studies in key program areas (water and wastewater operations, waste management, recycling, energy efficiency, etc.)
Review marketing materials, website, and other significant external communications for consistency with sustainability program initiatives and work with communications and marketing teams to develop new resources promoting sustainability commitments
Ensure sustainability program implementation and reporting compliance with regulatory requirements in coordination with Chief Compliance Officer and General Counsel
Develop and manage CEO’s Sustainability Council
Develop and implement annual corporate sustainability awards program for individual sustainability champions, facilities, business units and/or product lines
Serve as liaison to Veolia Environment on sustainability and ESG policies and initiatives
Environmental Strategy Integration
Serve as senior environmental policy advisor to Executive Committee and primary business unit leadership
Examples include implementing proactive corporate environmental auditing program to improve compliance and community standing; developing risk management strategies in response to environmental justice initiatives; and advising on how structural shifts in the energy and water sector translate to business risk and opportunity
Monitor regulatory and policy developments to identify strategic business opportunities for environmental service business lines while supporting risk management functions of organization
Examples include advising technology and R&D organizations on likely market opportunities linked to future adoption of federal effluent limitation guidelines and water quality standards; updating asset management planning for operating units resulting from adoption of new drinking water standards; and developing material management, sampling and permitting strategies in anticipation of federal hazardous substances designation for certain PFAS compounds
Support General Counsel on assessment of risk to organization related to environmental litigation, enforcement, and related developments
Examples include assessing strength of significant federal and state environmental enforcement actions against operating assets; advising on litigation strategies for key environmental permitting challenges; and recommending advocacy positions and strategies on major rulemaking and administrative challenges impacting core business sectors
[Note: Internal alignment of these functions should reduce some external counsel and expert consulting expenditures]
External Engagement
Meet with government officials at federal, state and local level to foster relationships and partnership opportunities, advocate for corporate positions, and promote the Veolia brand
Engage with Chief Sustainability Officer or equivalent positions at clients, target clients, and channel partners
Represent organization at conferences nationally and internationally, and with key sector trade associations
Support strategy, business development and government affairs teams on key client and project development initiatives
Develop ecological transformation and sustainability thought leadership through social media, podcasts, speeches, and publications
Organizational Structure
Closely align role with Chief Impact Officer, Chief Growth Officer, Chief Technology Officer, Chief Communications Officer, General Counsel, and EVP of Government Affairs
Develop sustainability champions in each major business unit, General Counsel’s office, and marketing and communications teams that would form CEO’s Sustainability Council
Operate hub and spoke organizational structure with dotted line access to sustainability champions and other key professionals in IT, marketing, technical services, and related support functions
Potential direct line support staff:
Would assess needs over time once in role, with 6-month interval assessments
Hybrid sustainability and external affairs manager supporting both Chief Sustainability Officer and EVP of Government Affairs on cross initiative projects and accentuating ecological transformation/sustainability messaging through external engagements
Program manager to track goals and metrics, manage exemplar projects, and prepare the annual sustainability report and progress reports to the Executive Committee
Executive assistant for scheduling, travel, and general administrative support through a shared services assignment
Qualifications Education / Experience / Background
Bachelor Degree in Business or other related field, Master’s degree in Law , J.D. required 
Min. of 15 years of experience in similar environment (Law, sustainability, administrator) in environment field
Knowledge / Skills / Abilities
Experience serving as a spokesperson.
Ability to bring relationships and a clear set of external contacts in all relevant fields.
Must be flexible and agile, with an ability to move quickly, pivot and adapt to a fast-paced, changing environment.
High ethical standards and commitment to core values of leadership, respect, and integrity
Strong commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
Strong ability to lead via influence, persuasion, negotiation, and effective communications across all levels of the organization.
Should have a broad understanding of commercial, regulatory, and emerging issues and trends in areas related to water, recycling/waste management, as well as working knowledge of US and Canada laws and regulations related to environment, health, safety and sustainability.
Additional Information A subsidiary of Veolia group, Veolia North America (VNA) offers a full spectrum of water, waste and energy management services, including water and wastewater treatment, commercial and hazardous waste collection and disposal, energy consulting and resource recovery. VNA helps commercial, industrial, healthcare, higher education and municipality customers throughout North America. Headquartered in Boston, Mass., Veolia North America has more than 10,000 employees working at more than 350 locations across the continent. 
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