Location
London

Hours
Full Time

Salary
Negotiable

About the Role
The Head of Sustainability is a senior leadership role with clear accountability for ESG legislation, environmental compliance and sustainability-related risk across ASOS’s products, supply chain and operations. This role sets and delivers ASOS’s environmental sustainability strategy while ensuring the business is prepared for current and emerging ESG regulation, including product, supply-chain and claims-related requirements. You will partner closely with Commercial, Sourcing, Product, Legal, Finance and Technology teams to translate complex regulation into practical, scalable business solutions. As a key advisor to senior leadership and the Board, you will ensure sustainability commitments are credible, compliant and defensible. Externally, you will represent ASOS with regulators, industry bodies, NGOs and key partners, positioning ASOS as a credible and progressive leader in sustainable fashion.

Key Responsibilities
ESG Legislation, Compliance & Risk
Develop ASOS’s approach to environmental ESG legislation and regulatory compliance across product, emissions, circularity and materials. Track, interpret and operationalise emerging ESG legislation, translating regulatory change into clear business actions and timelines. Provide decision-ready updates to senior leadership and the Board on regulatory exposure, risk and readiness. Ensure sustainability claims, communications and disclosures are accurate, substantiated and legally robust to reduce greenwashing and enforcement risk. Lead sustainability-related due diligence, risk assessment and mitigation, working closely with Legal and Compliance teams. Oversee development and implementation of robust sustainability policies to reduce risk and proactively engage the supply base.
Strategy & Governance
Stay abreast of changing global ESG sustainability legislation and its impact on an online fashion retailer. Set and evolve ASOS’s environmental sustainability strategy aligned with business priorities, regulatory requirements and industry best practice. Lead the environmental pillars of Fashion with Integrity, ensuring strong governance, prioritisation and accountability. Act as programme lead for ASOS’s Net Zero and carbon reduction roadmap (Scopes 1–3). Establish KPIs, controls and governance frameworks to ensure compliance and measurable progress. Provide senior-level leadership and influence across the Management Committee, Executive team and Board Sustainability Committee.
Commercial & Product
Set the strategic direction of product and planet sustainability roadmap using data to develop short, medium and long-term targets. Lead integration of sustainability and compliance requirements into product design, sourcing and buying decisions. Ensure sustainable materials, circularity and environmental initiatives meet commercial objectives and regulatory expectations. Lead development and delivery of internal training programmes, tools, guides and communications to upskill commercial teams. Implement a robust certification process with short-term system implementation and medium to long-term integration into PLM and commercial/technical functions.
Supply Chain & Due Diligence
Oversee environmental sustainability across ASOS’s global supply chain (Tier 1–5), including carbon, water and waste. Lead environmental due diligence for suppliers, mills and materials, ensuring alignment with legislation and internal standards. Drive transparency and traceability initiatives to support compliance, reporting and credible disclosures.
Reporting, Data & Disclosure
Own sustainability section of reporting, external disclosures and membership reporting such as alignment with annual report and frameworks like TCFD. Ensure robust data governance, control framework, auditability and consistency across sustainability metrics. Lead carbon reporting including corporate carbon footprint (CCF) and Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP). Support accurate, compliant external reporting and investor-grade disclosures.
Team Leadership
Lead, coach and develop a high-performing sustainability team with strong regulatory and technical capability. Build ESG and compliance understanding across the wider business through training, tools and guidance. Foster a culture of empowerment, accountability, transparency, commercial pragmatism and a motivating work environment. Manage department budget.
Stakeholder Engagement & External Leadership
Represent ASOS with regulators, industry bodies, NGOs and strategic partners. Engage proactively on policy, legislation and industry standards to help shape best practice. Act as a credible internal and external authority on sustainability and ESG regulation.

Experience
- Senior experience leading sustainability/ESG within fashion, retail or complex global supply chains
- At least 3+ years managing a team
- Strong, practical understanding of ESG legislation, regulatory compliance and sustainability claims risk
- Proven experience translating regulation into operational business change
- Experience owning sustainability reporting, disclosures and governance
- Experience leading Net Zero or science-based targets
- Background in commercial, product sustainability, sourcing or supply-chain transformation
- Excellent senior stakeholder and Board-level influencing skills
- Thrives in a fast paced, agile environment

About You
Strategic thinker with strong leadership skills and the ability to influence at all levels. Commercially minded with a passion for sustainability and regulatory compliance. Collaborative and proactive with excellent communication skills. Motivated to drive change and embed sustainability across a global business.

Qualifications
Relevant degree or equivalent experience in sustainability, environmental management, or related field is desirable but not mandatory.