Sustainability Programme Manager | London
For over 35 years, Aesop has carefully cultivated an inspiring and inclusive environment in which our employees are supported and encouraged to thrive. As a global retail organisation, we offer professional development and advancement opportunities to complement career goals and aspirations.
Our approach to skin care involves meticulous attention to detail, using only the most efficacious ingredients to create formulations which stir the self and senses. The same meticulous approach is taken during our recruitment process, seeking out considered and inspired individuals with a wealth of perspectives who bring out the best in themselves and others.
We aim to strike the right balance between people, planet and profit, actively reducing our footprint on the planet that generously sustains us. So far, this journey has led us to become a certified B Corp. We are committed to building a more sustainable and inclusive society.
Since 2023, Aesop has been part of the L'Oréal Groupe, the world’s number one beauty company. Founded in 1909 by Eugene Schueller, it is home to 37 global brands including Kiehl’s, Lancôme, SkinCeuticals, Nyx, YSL and L'Oréal Paris; and presents wide-ranging opportunities for long-term career growth.
“A business doesn’t consist of walls or machines, but people, people, people.” – Eugene Schueller
Role purpose
As a B Corp Aesop is committed to meeting the highest environmental & social standards and consistently pursuing improvement to our impact as part of a community of businesses who are a force for good. Guided by the L’Oreal for the Future programme and commitments we are addressing our impact on climate and nature, transforming our business model from a linear to a circular one and enriching our communities through our volunteering and philanthrophy.
The Sustainability Programme Manager will support the Head of Sustainability by project managing workstreams to deliver our sustainability priorities (including B Corp) as well as developing and delivering, in partnership with our communications team, an engagement strategy for internal stakeholders to deliver these priorities and take pride in our achievements. They will also be responsible for communicating our impact to external stakeholders mobilising consumers on our sustainability journey.
Role responsibilities include, but not limited to –
Leading Impact Communications & Engagement:
With support from Head of Sustainability and in partnership with Internal Communications & Group partners:
- Coordinate Aesop’s external communications with key stakeholders and develop an engaging annual
- Impact report to demonstrate the company’s impact owning responsibility for collation and analysis of data required for same
- Lead internal engagement around Aesop sustainability & impact programme including B Corp, highlighting our achievements and making Aesop of beacon for sustainability within the L’Oreal Group
- Synthesize and create sustainability & impact communications, write creative briefs and support the creative translation of strategic direction with internal and external partners
- Plan and execute events to engage Aesopians, our customers and partners in our sustainability approach around key calendar moments such as B Corp month, Climate Week, World Refill Day, London Design Festival, Earth Day
Supporting B Corp Engagement:
- Provide support as required to Head of Sustainability to maintain and renew B Corp Certification tracking performance and collating evidence and data over time..
- Engage all Aesop staff in B Corp including planning and coordinating events during key moments such as B Corp month
Project Management and delivery on Sustainability:
- Provide project management & execution support to the Sustainability, Retail, VM, Store Design and Product/Marketing Teams with sustainability projects as required. In particular around expanding Aesop’s Refill in Store Programme beyond Australia (for both body and potentially fragrance) and the global launch of Aesop’s Rinse & Return programme
- Support Head of Sustainability on data analysis in support of programme
- Be an active team member by demonstrating a willingness to help and support others.
This is a full time position operating with a hybrid working pattern.
What We Are Looking For
- Open mindset and deep curiosity seeking to understand others, listen without judgement and act on diverse perspectives
- Commitment to fostering an inclusive and psychologically safe work environment
- Qualified sustainability or communications practioner with a degree in Sustainability, Environmental Science or Business, Marketing, etc.
- Experience developing and implementing internal and external sustainability communication and engagement campaigns for a broad range of channels
- Knowledge of sustainability principles and current and emerging sustainability trends with an active network of sustainability experts preferred
- Ability to build credibility and influence a wide range of stakeholders
- Demonstrated project management experience
- Strong Microsoft excel skills and ability to interpret and analysis large data sets and ability to create engaging Power Point
- Strong communication and influencing skills
- Strong attention to detail
- The ability to communicate clearly and adapt to different audiences.
- An advocate for change who leads and encourages process improvement, corporate development and helps others to adapt to new approaches
- Process and detail-oriented mindset, and demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally
- Ability to comfortably work flexibly and autonomously due to differing time zones and and ways of working in today's online heavy environment.
- Familiarity with GHG Protocol and carbon accounting preferred but not essential
- Experience in beauty, consumer, retail or luxury preferred but not essential – but passion for customer and retail is a must
What’s On Offer
We take a holistic approach to employment, promoting professional development, career growth, employee wellbeing initiatives and encouraging deep connections with the local community through the Aesop Foundation, volunteering and matched giving programs. Employee benefits include -
- Flexible, hybrid working pattern
- Generous product discount allowance and bi-annual complimentary product allocation
- Paid volunteering allowance for all employees
- Bonus opportunity based on personal, and business, performance
- Suite of options to aid development, including complimentary access to LinkedIn Learning, in-house Product and Core skills training and study support opportunities
- Access to employee assistance programmes, complimentary subscription to Headspace mindfulness app and summer hours options.
Aesop is committed to attracting, developing and retaining the very best people by offering a creative and inclusive workplace where talent is truly recognised and rewarded. We are committed to promoting inclusion for all with the belief that diversity, inclusion and belonging plays an important role in the success of our organisation.
