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. www.veolia.com

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. www.veolianorthamerica.com

As an inclusive company, Veolia is committed to diversity and gives equal consideration to all applications, without discrimination.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer! All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

Information

• Location: Milwaukee, United States

Industry experience

Education: Masters

Seniority: Board director, CEO, COO, CFO, President, Provost

Years of experience: 10 to 20 years

Taxonomy

• Sustainability
• Sustainable Water Resource Management
• Sustainability
• Sustainability
• Climate Change & Sustainability Services
• Sustainability Management
• Corporate Sustainability
• Climate Change & Sustainibility