Senior Responsible Business Manager (Sustainability)

Watson Farley & Williams is an international law firm advising on complex disputes and transactions through local knowledge and an integrated international network.  We have a strong sector focus, combining our technical excellence with deep industry knowledge across Energy, Transport and associated Infrastructure.

The firm has achieved rapid expansion and year-on-year growth owed almost entirely to a focused strategy, strong leadership and the quality of its people.  The next stage in the firm’s growth plan is to achieve full-service strength within core sectors across the global platform.

We strive for excellence in all that we do and view investment in our people as key to achieving our business goals and values, which rest on developing deep and long-lasting relationships externally and internally through respect, sharing, communication and integrity.

Our global practice is integrated across our offices in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Australia and North America delivering consistently high levels of service across borders and locally through a deep understanding of local business customs and culture.

We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace to attract and retain the most talented people from all backgrounds and cultures.  We believe in celebrating difference and that people from any background can rise to the top, ensuring opportunities to develop and progress are available for all.

The Senior Responsible Business Manager (Sustainability) is responsible for overseeing and delivering the firm’s global Sustainability strategy across People, Planet and Practices, with a particular focus on environmental sustainability. The principle aims of the strategy are to manage the environmental impact of the firm’s operations and engage WFW colleagues on climate action and community support including Pro Bono and volunteering.

Head of Responsible Business- Dean Lloyd

• Work with external specialists and internal stakeholders to set and deliver against the firm’s global carbon reduction plan and science-based targets.
• Ensure the firm is compliant with all relevant environmental legislation, working with Office Managers and external specialists where required.
• Engage colleagues through localised Sustainability Communities and other fora to mobilise WFW offices around environmental action. 
• Work with the Head of Responsible Business to run the Responsible Business Working Party and engage the Supervisory Board and Operations Board to ensure effective governance of the above areas and wider areas such as climate risk.
• Set and regularly review relevant policies including the firm’s Environmental Policy.
• Engage with other relevant stakeholders including Learning and Development, Business Development, Commercial and Finance to ensure Sustainability is integrated into wider business processes.
• Develop and review firmwide materials to promote and embed Sustainability, including materials for client pitches and centralising information in the Sustainability intranet hub.
• Lead on firmwide Sustainability initiatives and activities with the support of the Responsible Business Advisor.
• Ensure WFW initiatives are communicated effectively and recognition is received for our efforts, whether through sustainability ratings, press coverage or external rewards.
• Develop and embed industry best practice standards and protocols within the sustainability programme.
• Provide support and guidance to Office Managers and Facilities teams implementing environmental management standards (e.g. ISO14001)
• Contribute to broader Responsible Business activities and projects as required.

• Similar role experience, ideally in an international professional services organisation
• Experience working in a fast-paced and constantly evolving organisation
• The ability to self-manage and project manage
• Experience of improving processes
• Experience working with BREEAM, NABERS, or similar frameworks (desirable)
• Relevant degree and / or substantive subject-specific training

• Exceptional relationship management skills to influence, enable and empower individuals  
• Can-do attitude capable of motivating and engaging others 
• Exceptional organisational and project management skills 
• Excellent written skills 
• Strong attention to detail 
• Interest in WFW’s core sectors of focus 
• A team player who upholds the firm’s values of respect, sharing, communication and integrity 
• Diplomatic and calm when under challenge and pressure with an ability to communicate with and manage stakeholders at all levels of seniority  
• Strong networking and engagement skills with external contacts 
• Commercially astute 
• A team player with the ability to build rapport and work together as part of a small team
• Strong work ethic and committed to see things through to completion

We offer a competitive benefits and wellbeing package for all employees.

The Firm promotes a culture of agility and flexibility and is fully supportive of flexible working arrangements where these can be accommodated.

Respect for different backgrounds and perspectives is at the heart of our firm’s core values and we recognise the importance of fostering an inclusive environment that allows everyone to reach their full potential. This is a key feature of our Global Code of Conduct, which places diversity and inclusion at the centre of our firm’s ways of working.

We believe that exceptional client service can only be delivered by exceptional people. For this reason, we aim to attract, retain and develop the best talent from a wide range of backgrounds. All decisions relating to employment will be objective and based on merit and ability.

We are committed to ensuring that our recruitment processes are as inclusive and barrier-free as possible. This includes making adjustments for candidates with a disability or long-term health condition.  If you require adjustments to be made at any stage of the recruitment process, we’d encourage you to get in touch with a member of our team who would be happy to discuss options with you.