Job Title
Head of Sustainability & ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) DACH
Job Description Summary
The Head of ESG for Germany Cushman & Wakefield will play a pivotal role in leading and implementing Sustainability & Environmental, Social, and Governance strategies across the C&W’s Germany business. The Head of Sustainability & ESG will have two core responsibilities.
1) Embedding Sustainability & ESG in Service Line and Sector: Ensuring that all employees have ESG principles at the forefront of their operations and decision-making processes across all key service lines and sectors in Germany. This will focus on positioning C&W Germany as a leader in Sustainability & ESG within the industry.
2) Sustainability Services: Accountability for the management, growth and development of the Germany Sustainability Service Line for both advisory & technical services, with an EBITDA target of 15%.
Job Description
Key Responsibilities:
ESG Strategy Development and Execution:
- The Head of Sustainability & ESG will develop and execute the business plan for embedding Sustainability & ESG principals in each of the service lines, and for growth of Sustainability Services in Germany. This is be in-conjunction and alignment with the EMEA Sustainability & ESG strategy.
- The development and execution of the Germany Sustainability Services business will be to achieve target of 15% EBITDA
- Develop and evolve the business case for team growth based on secured client mandates
Embedding Sustainability & ESG In Service Line & Sector
- Collaborate cross-functionally with service line and sectors to integrate ESG practices into their workflows, service proposition, and client cross sell opportunities
- Monitor, evaluate, and adapt strategies to ensure alignment with EMEA and global ESG standards, policies and best practices.
- Develop and deliver internal educational programs to ensure all employees are well-versed in ESG principles and their application within their respective roles and client service delivery
- Effectively utilize client and industry insights to educate and inform the Sustainability Service line and Germany wider business
Team Growth:
- Support cultivate a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning within the sustainability service line.
- Ensure service excellence in the delivery of client Sustainability & ESG services and have overall client accountability for quality and output
- Target client growth in order to organically grow a team in Germany, while leveraging and supporting growth of the EMEA platform, and where required build supplier relationships for execution and delivery of client projects
Client Management & Solutioning:
- Develop and execute growth strategies with key clients and target market
- Lead key local client pursuits and ESG positioning
- Build and maintain strong relationships with clients at a c-suite and leadership level, understanding their ESG needs and providing tailored solutions.
- Lead co-ordination and oversight of client pursuit plans as the Germany Sustainability Services leader and collaborating as required with the EMEA Sustainability & ESG Team in cross border pursuits and EMEA key clients
Product Development:
- Identify new ESG service offerings based on market demand and emerging trends, innovating to articulate differentiated value propositions
- Collaborate with cross-functional in Germany and with EMEA Sustainability & ESG teams to develop and launch new (ESG) solutions
Performance Reporting:
- Produce regular reports to country and EMEA leadership on the progress, impact, financials regarding initiative and P&L performance.
Stakeholder Relationships and Industry Leadership:
- Represent Cushman Germany in industry forums, conferences, and stakeholder engagements on ESG matters
- Build and maintain relationships with external stakeholders, regulators, and relevant organizations to ensure alignment and compliance with evolving ESG standards.
- Establish personal & company brand in the industry
Integration with EMEA:
- Act as Primary point of contact for EMEA ESG teams in EMEA and Germany, ensuring alignment and collaboration with EMEA's strategies and initiatives.
- Facilitate the exchange of best practices and ensure consistency in the implementation of Sustainability & ESG programs.
Key Performance Indicators:
- Team financial target of 15% EBITDA
- Service & Team development
- Client satisfaction
- Achievement of personal annual objectives agreed with the Line Manager.
Skills, Knowledge & Experience:
- Excellent leadership and team management skills, with the ability to motivate and drive change across diverse teams
- Strong understanding of Sustainability & ESG performance within a real-estate context and understanding of EMEA ESG principles, frameworks, and regulations.
- Strong understanding of the mechanics within the real estate industry and of real estate consultancy across asset classes and services
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities to navigate complex challenges and drive innovative ESG solutions.
- Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills to effectively engage and influence stakeholders at all levels internally and externally
- Good Written Communication Skills & attention to detail.
- Cost control and forecasting reporting
- Passionate about sustainability & ESG
