Location
Leeds (Hybrid role with a blend of working from home and office presence at Leeds & Bradford offices)

Hours
Full Time

Salary
Not specified

About the Role
We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Leader to join our Social and Environmental Sustainability leadership team at Yorkshire Building Society. As the leader of this team, you will develop and lead a best-in-class Social and Environmental Sustainability Strategy that aligns with our purpose and corporate objectives. You will provide expert advice and support to the Board, Executive Committee, and the wider business to embed sustainability successfully across the Society.

Your responsibilities will include developing an impact-driven strategy covering social sustainability, climate, and nature, ensuring clarity on ambition, governance, and accountability. You will lead initiatives such as the Charity of the Year partnership, colleague volunteering, and community investment strategy. You will conduct ongoing external market horizon scanning to keep YBS aligned with best practices, emerging trends, regulations, government policies, and thought leadership.

Building and managing high-quality stakeholder relationships internally and externally—including investors, government bodies, partners, and other stakeholders—will be key. You will produce clear, concise strategy papers for the Executive Committee, Board, and relevant committees. Additionally, you will identify appropriate benchmarks and indices for YBS participation (e.g., CDP, Principles for Responsible Business) and ensure compliance with all relevant environmental and social sustainability regulatory requirements.

Leading a high-performing team of social and environmental experts, you will play a pivotal role in positioning YBS as a purpose-driven organisation committed to sustainability.

Experience
- Proven experience leading a high-performing social and environmental sustainability team in an equivalent or larger organisation.
- In-depth understanding of embedding sustainability aligned with organisational purpose and business objectives.
- Strong knowledge of the UK regulatory landscape related to Environmental Sustainability, Climate, and Nature Change.
- Detailed awareness of corporate environmental and social sustainability trends in the UK.
- Understanding of the impact Climate and Nature Change have on the balance sheet of a UK-based mortgage lender.
- Experience developing and managing sustainability metrics such as carbon emissions, water usage, and waste production.
- Ability to translate high-level strategy and goals into operational plans.
- Experience overseeing budgets and resource management.
- Knowledge of relevant sustainability legislation, compliance, corporate governance, and quality assurance.

About you
You are a strategic and purpose-driven leader with excellent stakeholder management skills. You have a strong commitment to social and environmental sustainability and the ability to influence at all levels of an organisation. You are proactive in horizon scanning and adapting to emerging trends and regulatory changes. You thrive in leading expert teams and delivering impactful sustainability programmes that build reputation internally and externally.

Qualifications
Not specified