Sustainability Manager

Harrods Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy splits into Harrods Sustainability and Community strategy which sits under 5 key pillars: Our Business, Our Products, Partnership & Innovation, Our People and Our Community. The sustainability strategy – Harrods Path to a more sustainable future - has been given a vision and identity and is now a strong voice within the decision-making practices of the business. Harrods Path is closely aligned with Harrods strategy and purpose, with the business committing to becoming as responsible and sustainable a business as it can, in as soon as timeframe as possible. The business has mapped out key workstreams, set objectives and outlined initiatives to improve business practices across each pillar.

Working within the CSR team, the Sustainability Manager will focus specifically on delivering Harrods sustainability strategy across its Business pillar; responsible for all elements of Harrods business operations and its impact on the environment and supply chain.

This includes (but is not exclusive to) driving and delivering key workstreams across the following areas: Harrods carbon reduction and Net Zero strategy, Harrods waste reduction and recycling improvement plans and Harrods packaging & plastic reduction strategy. This role will work as part of the wider Harrods CSR team, as well as closely with other stakeholders across the business to deliver Harrods Path strategy, from engineering and facilities, to supply chain and distribution, to creative and marketing. As well as supporting the implementation of our CSR and sustainability commitments, the manager in this role will provide advice on best sustainability practice, updates on legislative changes and ensure compliance ultimately leading Harrods on a path towards a more sustainable future. The team plays a centralised function in supporting and driving initiatives across the business. The manager will be required to engage with teams across the business in areas such as sourcing and supply chain transparency, emissions, water and waste reductions, monitoring and support, gaining support across all levels of the business.

The role sits within the wider Corporate Affairs team who together are responsible for the Harrods corporate reputation and brand, positioning Harrods as a socially aware and responsible business. The sustainability manager, through a strong network of internal and external stakeholders, will proactively and reactively raise the profile of Harrods CSR commitments and progress. 

The CSR Manager will have a strong background and experience in their field and key accountabilities include identifying industry relevant issues and Harrods response, leading on the delivery of Harrods Corporate Social Responsibility strategy, managing tools used across the business to support sustainability initiatives (e.g. Sedex, Carbon Footprint data tracker, packaging and plastic data monitoring), identify and maintain accreditations that support Harrods Path strategy and bringing general best practice to the business.

Strategy

• Continue to lead on and develop Harrods sustainability strategy related specifically to our business operations and environmental impact, ensuring we are delivering on key workstreams with these pillars.
• Identify new initiatives that support Harrods sustainability commitments, driving these forward with stakeholders across the business
• Ensure engagement on the strategy with key stakeholders and senior management, manage committee meetings relevant to your areas and that support the delivery of the sustainability strategy.
• Ensure Harrods CSR and Sustainability efforts are well communicated internally and externally.
• Ensure management and effective use of CSR Budget.

Sustainability Management and Expertise

• Ensure Harrods adheres to legislative requirements and maintain business accreditations relevant to your areas e.g. Carbon Trust Triple Standard Certification, OPRL, Net Zero roadmap.
• Identify new areas for Harrods to lead in relation to external commitments, accreditations and proactive partnerships
• Act as a subject matter expert across several areas such as, strategy and policy development, reporting frameworks.
   

Stakeholder Management

• Work in partnership with key functions such as Corporate Affairs, Legal, Harrods Own Label categories, Retail, TSD and Distribution to ensure continued delivery of initiatives under your Sustainability pillar
• Manage all workstreams, meetings, minutes and project trackers related to your project areas and relevant stakeholders involved
• Work in partnership with functions such as internal communications, employee engagement and .com to support and communicate Harrods Path and relevant projects under your pillar.

Partnerships & Networks

• Identify certifications and memberships that would be beneficial to support Harrods strategy.
• Develop and maintain relationships with key external bodies such as business contacts, peer networks, governing bodies, to ensure continued collaboration on industry wide initiatives.

Communication and Reporting

• Ensure that CSR pillars workstreams, initiatives and actions are communicated in a clear manner internally and externally.
• Support in the development of sustainability content internal and externally such as the Harrods Hub, Yammer and .com.
• Work closely with Corporate Affairs to identify opportunities to showcase Harrods CSR ambitions and progress, acting as a brand ambassador for Harrods.

Key relationships: work in partnership with other Sustainability manager responsible for Harrods Product & Partnership strategy, and support the development of CSR Executive. Your pillar will be delivered on the ground by Harrods Facilities & Engineering, Technical Store Development, Supply Chain & Distribution, Procurement teams, you will need to forge positive relationships with them and support their work centrally as to how to it delivers Harrods Path strategy.  Additionally, work with the Head of Corporate Affairs, wider Marcomms and wider Brand Experience Team, Harrods Senior Leadership, Employee Experience & HR teams.

Flexibility and readiness to adapt to changing priorities.

• Delivering Harrods Path straegy and driving key workstreams and initiatives under your relevant pilalrs
• Compliance and Reporting (Harrods Environmental Policies, Carbon Trust Triple Standard, Plastic Pact)
• Project management and meeting key deadlines
• Stakeholder management
• Delivering expertise and knowledge of key areas of ownership – be the expert in the room

Proven experience in managing and delivering CSR strategy in a similar role and organisation Technical expertise and industry awareness on CSR, sustainability, reporting, legislation, latest trends, innovation, and best practise in the retail / luxury industry Experience of leading a team in delivering a sustainability strategy, working as a manager and reporting to senior leadership Ability to communicate complex theory, regulations, legislative requirement to different audiences Project and programme management experience Excellent time management and the ability to multi-task Self-starting and driven mentality to delivering an ambitious sustainability programme across a large organisation

At Harrods, we ask everyone to believe in the Art of the Possible, to challenge the conventional view of what is possible and turn delivery into an art form. Our brand needs us to be Master of Luxury, Experts of Exceptional and Creators of Magic, as brands are made by people, our people have a really important role to play.

We have five employee values that show us the way; We take pride, We Strive to Exceed, We are One, We are Human and We Build Trust. These values are the behaviours and ways of working that we attach the most importance to at Harrods. We use our values to illustrate how we want to be with each other, with customers, with suppliers and other stakeholders.