Overview
Head of Sustainability Jobs in City of Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa at OutsideCapital
Title: Head of Sustainability
Company: OutsideCapital
Location: City of Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
Client Summary:
Our client is a major player within the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector. They are deeply committed to creating shared value within the communities they operate in, embedding responsibility into every stage of their supply chain. This is an opportunity to lead an established, high-impact corporate affairs function in Johannesburg, directly influencing national socio-economic transformation agendas.
Job Description:
This pivotal role reports directly to the Corporate Affairs Director and offers a unique platform to shape strategy across environmental stewardship, social impact, responsible consumption, and critical economic empowerment mandates within South Africa. You will not just manage existing programs; you will be the custodian of the overarching sustainability ecosystem, driving innovative partnerships and ensuring robust governance and reporting to executive leadership and the Board. If you thrive on translating global best practices into tangible local impact, leading cross-functional teams, and positioning an organization as a thought leader, this is your next significant career move.
Responsibilities:
- Strategic Leadership: Drive the entire sustainability and social responsibility agenda, ensuring seamless integration of environmental, social, and economic empowerment commitments across the business operations.
- Governance & Reporting: Act as the central custodian for the sustainability governance framework, preparing high-level reports for the Social and Ethics Committee and the Board, ensuring data integrity for annual reporting.
- Economic Empowerment: Lead the development and implementation of the Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) strategy, overseeing audits, reporting systems, and ensuring alignment with national transformation goals.
- Stakeholder Orchestration: Represent the organization on key industry platforms, policy forums, and strategic partnership initiatives focused on water stewardship, Net Zero Carbon, and responsible alcohol consumption advocacy.
- Social Impact Management: Oversee the development and execution of impactful social development programs, including strategic management of a significant community impact Trust, ensuring its long-term financial sustainability and alignment with the national development agenda.
- Internal Advocacy: Champion awareness and drive behavioral change across all functions regarding sustainability targets, responsible consumption policies, and B-BBEE compliance.
- Team Leadership: Directly manage and mentor a diverse team responsible for social programs, B-BBEE, and sustainability projects.
Requirements:
- Post Graduate degree in Social Sciences, Policy, Development, Business Management, or equivalent.
- Minimum of 15 years of proven, progressive track record in developing, driving, and implementing sustainability strategy within large corporations, preferably in the FMCG sector.
- Sound, practical understanding of South Africa’s socio-economic context, including deep knowledge of legislation pertaining to sustainability, social impact, and alcohol responsibility.
- Demonstrated, hands-on experience managing and driving complex community impact Trusts and leading B-BBEE strategy implementation.
- Familiarity with global sustainability reporting standards (e.g., GRI, SASB). (Nice to have)