Sustainability Lead

Key Responsibilities:

Strategy and roadmap 

• Define and maintain the BO sustainability roadmap, aligned to NTT DATA priorities and operational business needs. 
• Identify the most material sustainability risks and opportunities across services, suppliers, assets, and operational processes. 
• Support the translation of enterprise sustainability priorities into BO-specific actions, governance, and measurable outcomes. 

Governance and operating model 

• Establish the Sustainability function within the SEO, including its charter, governance model, and operating rhythm. 
• Define standards, controls, and accountability mechanisms that embed sustainability into BO governance. 
• Work through existing SEO forums and processes to ensure sustainability is integrated rather than managed in parallel. 

Baseline, KPI framework, and reporting 

• Establish the BO sustainability baseline and maturity assessment. 
• Define and maintain a KPI framework covering priority operational areas such as service governance, supplier governance, asset lifecycle management, and improvement activity. 
• Produce clear reporting, dashboards, and management information for SEO and BO leadership. 

Integration into SEO processes 

• Embed sustainability into relevant SEO processes, including service review, continual improvement, supplier review, and selected service design, transition, or change activities where appropriate. 
• Ensure sustainability considerations are reflected in operational decision-making and governance discussions. 

Operational improvement 

• Identify, shape, and coordinate sustainability initiatives that improve efficiency, reduce waste, strengthen controls, and support cost avoidance. 
• Maintain an improvement pipeline and benefits register linked to operational sustainability priorities. 
• Track delivery progress and support the transition of successful initiatives into business-as-usual practices. 

Supplier governance and asset lifecycle management 

• Partner with supplier management, procurement, and operational teams to strengthen sustainability expectations and performance oversight for key suppliers. 
• Support improved asset lifecycle management through better reuse, redeployment, repair, retirement, and disposal practices. 
• Promote practical circularity and lifecycle thinking across BO. 

Capability building and stakeholder engagement 

• Build awareness, capability, and ownership across BO through practical guidance, engagement, and a federated network of representatives. 
• Act as the primary point of coordination for sustainability activity across SEO and BO. 
• Work closely with corporate sustainability and adjacent functions to ensure alignment without duplication. 

Key Accountabilities 

The role holder is accountable for: 

• Establishing the Sustainability function within the SEO  
• Defining and coordinating the BO sustainability roadmap  
• Creating the BO baseline, maturity assessment, and KPI framework  
• Embedding sustainability into relevant SEO governance and processes  
• Producing reporting and insight for BO leadership  
• Maintaining an improvement pipeline and benefits register  
• Building a federated operating model across BO  

Scope and Dimensions 

• This role has an Enterprise Operations-wide remit and operates across multiple service, supplier, and operational domains through influence and coordination. 
• The role leads a lean central capability rather than a large standalone team and relies on strong matrix working across BO. 
• The role is expected to shape priorities, drive consistency, and improve operational maturity, while delivery accountability remains with service owners, tower leads, supplier managers, and other operational stakeholders. 

Knowledge and Attributes:

Essential 

• Significant experience in sustainability, service management, operational governance, transformation, or a related discipline within a large and complex organisation. 
• Strong understanding of governance, performance management, reporting, and continual improvement in an operational environment. 
• Experience translating strategy into practical operating models, standards, reporting, and actions. 
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional initiatives through influence in a matrixed environment. 
• Strong stakeholder management skills, including the ability to work credibly with senior leaders and operational teams. 
• Strong analytical capability and the ability to turn data into clear recommendations and decisions. 
• Commercial awareness and the ability to connect sustainability activity to operational and financial value. 

Desirable 

• Experience within an SEO, Business Operations, technology operations, or managed services environment. 
• Experience with supplier governance, asset lifecycle management, or circularity-related initiatives. 
• Knowledge of recognised sustainability or environmental frameworks. 
• Experience setting up a new function, capability, or governance model. 
• Familiarity with ITIL or equivalent service management practices. 

Academic Qualifications and Certifications:

Essential 

• Degree or equivalent professional experience. 

Desirable 

• Relevant sustainability, environmental, or operational improvement qualification. 
• ITIL certification or equivalent service management qualification. 
• Programme, change, or leadership qualification. 

Required experience:

• The successful candidate will demonstrate: 
• Strategic thinking with practical delivery discipline  
• Strong collaboration across organisational boundaries  
• The ability to simplify complex issues into operational action  
• Evidence-based decision-making  
• Resilience, credibility, and pragmatism  
• A continuous improvement mindset  
• The ability to build momentum through influence rather than hierarchy