Sustainability Specialist

**Job no**: 999168
**Work type**: Full-Time
**Location**: Melbourne - CBD & Inner
**Categories**: Sourcing/Supply Chain, Environment & Sustainability

Country Road Group are committed to embedding social and environmental sustainability into the way we do business by working with our suppliers, partners and customers. The Sustainability Specialist - Environment plays a key role in driving environmental sustainability across the group’s House of brands. This role focuses on decarbonisation, nature and biodiversity, and climate and nature-related disclosures. This role is pivotal in supporting the group’s preparation for Australian Sustainability Reporting Standards (ASRS) mandatory climate disclosures and contributes to the development of a group-wide climate transition plan. The role also supports progress on renewable energy investments and lays the groundwork for nature-based reporting aligned with frameworks such as TNFD.

**Key Accountabilities**
- Monitor regulatory, competitor and media developments relating to climate and environmental issues and advise Country Road Group for strategic direction as appropriate.
- Develop and implement climate and environment strategies, roadmaps and KPIs in alignment with company values, sustainability goals, and regulatory requirements and in collaboration with responsible business units.
- Partner with our internal teams and supply chain to influence solutions and initiatives for energy efficiency, decarbonisation, waste and environmental impacts, and act as an internal strategic advisor for the Group on climate and environment topics.
- Review and develop monitoring and reporting systems to track climate and environmental impacts and initiatives, including energy use, expenditure and investment in efficiency.
- Lead the development of whole-of-business ASRS program, in line with regulatory requirements, to ensure preparation for annual compliant disclosures.
- Manage the day-to-day operations and stakeholder input to the ASRS program including ELT, Board, external auditors, external consultants/scientists and WHL (our parent company)
- Monitor regulatory and peer landscape and advise recommendations to Management on ASRS approach.
- Assess and build business case for future climate and environment initiatives (incl. discovery and analysis, tender documentation, cost/benefit analysis, planning) to ensure a constant supply of projects to mitigate rising costs and minimise environmental impacts.
- Manage communication with key stakeholders to ensure successful delivery of environmental initiatives and delivery of annual reporting.
- Develop and implement internal and external communications to support implementation, meet regulatory requirements and keep pace with retail industry
- Manage the development, implementation and efficacy of carbon accounting systems and processes, ensuring datasets are maintained that are accurate, auditable and decision-useful.
- Manage data collection and entry activities, review dataset to ensure transparency and validity and prepare internal and external data driven reporting requirements.

**Key Capabilities**
- Subject Matter Expertise in environment, climate disclosures & carbon accounting to GHG Protocol and NGER Act standards
- Experience with TCFD, TNFD, ISSB, AASB or equivalent financial-related environmental sustainability disclosure standards
- Familiarity with climate scenario analysis and decarbonisation pathway development, experience preferred
- General understanding of financial reporting concepts and non-financial assurance programs
- Experience with development and implementation of strategy, project plans and internal communications plans
- Experience working with management and influencing stakeholders
- Interpersonal communication, relationship management, negotiation and people skills
- A detail-focused approach and diligence in data handling, documentation, and reporting
- A broad knowledge of environmental and social issues in fashion, retail innovation and best practice is desirable

**Why work for CRG?**

The Country Road Group is one of Australasia’s largest Lifestyle Brand Houses comprising of iconic brands such as Country Road, POLITIX, Trenery, Witchery and MIMCO. Here are some of the great things we offer:

- Generous employee discounts across our House of Brands
- Seasonal clothing allowance
- An additional day of leave for your birthday
- An Industry leading Parental Leave Program
- Flexible working arrangements to support work/life balance
- Annual learning calendar to support the ongoing development of our team
- Support community partnerships across our Corporate Social Responsibility Program
- We are committed to operating ethically, sustainably, and responsibly.

**About CRG**

Country Road Group is Australia's largest Lifestyle Brand Houses comprising of iconic brands including Country Road, POLITIX, Trenery, Witchery and MIMCO. Our Values include being Customer Obsessed, Collaborative, Inspiration