Net Zero Strategy Lead

Reporting to the Group Head of Sustainability, the Net Zero Programme Lead will play a critical role in shaping daa’s future, by driving the delivery of our environmental sustainability and Net Zero strategy and commitments across the whole of the daa group. The main purpose is to identify, quantify and deliver opportunities to reduce carbon emissions associated with our business, and develop the Net Zero roadmap to support this sustainable business transition. This role sits within the Group Sustainability Team, within our Group Strategy and Governance function. Each team member works as a subject matter expert (SME) on environmental and sustainability issues, leading organisational change and working with stakeholders to identify and deliver projects required to achieve our corporate sustainability goals and ensure the path towards full decarbonisation and net zero operations at daa group. This role is expected to evolve over time as we navigate the sustainability agenda, with adaptability and a passion for developing the area being key attributes for this position.

Key Responsibilities:

Driving Net Zero Ambition:

• Manage the carbon and energy related target data and programmes to deliver reductions that help the business reach our Net Zero 2050 goal.
• Identify and work across the business to deliver projects and technical solutions to enable the group to achieve Net Zero Carbon emissions by 2050 or sooner.
• Identify and communicate carbon and energy related risks and opportunities across the business.
• Manage associated budgets to deliver sustainability and carbon reduction projects and initiatives.
• Work closely with the Head of GST and play a lead role in setting strategic objectives and targets for daa to achieve its Net Zero targets.
• Develop a Net Zero Roadmap, including a Carbon Reduction Strategy for the whole of daa group.
• Evaluate proposed developments relating to infrastructure, equipment, process, and procedural change, and identify relevant carbon KPIs and opportunities to gather sustainability data.
• Support delivery of key strategic projects and benchmarking the carbon impact of these projects, working with key internal stakeholders.

Stakeholder Management and Reporting:

• Contribute to carbon and climate related reporting requirements under multiple ESG and sustainability related frameworks, including CSRD, SBTI, Climate Action Framework and UN Global Compact.
• Collect, analyse, and communicate on key environmental data from across the organisation to help inform decision-making at all levels.
• Manage key partnerships with internal and external stakeholders, including key government bodies and policy makers on carbon, climate, and sustainability issues.
• Work with colleagues and partners across the business to increase awareness of sustainability issues, ambitions and identify actions and projects that can expedite our transition.
• Work with ESG leads across the group to meet national sustainability targets and stated corporate environmental goals.
• Represent daa at an external meetings and events, including with key government agencies and policy makers on carbon, climate, and sustainability issues.
• Remain up to date on relevant policy developments in relation to climate, carbon, and sustainability, in Europe and international territories.

Key Strategic Tasks:

• Contribute to and review relevant tenders and procurement of services and goods to ensure green procurement is a key consideration.
• Identify key trends and developments in sustainability, review their relevance and engage with relevant stakeholders to accelerate the transition to a more sustainable business model.
• Embed climate risk and adaptation requirements into projects across our business, as appropriate to the location and activity.
• Develop and implement plans to reduce scope three emissions for daa, working with key stakeholders and managing relevant partnerships.
• Build up relationships with key stakeholders internally and externally to develop strategic projects that will support daa’s transition to Net Zero.
• Prepare, analyse, and summarise updates through reports and bulletins for use by Head of Sustainability and key partners, including Executive team and Board.
• Ensure appropriate ESG and sustainability governance, quality standards and compliance.
• Carry out research and benchmarking to understand and develop solutions to respond to the complex and evolving policy, regulatory, and business environment risks and opportunities associated with carbon, climate, and sustainability.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years’ relevant experience in corporate / government carbon or sustainability related role.
• Track record of delivery on Carbon reduction, Sustainability or ESG Projects.
• Familiarity with key legislation trends and issues related to sustainability, decarbonisation, or environment in Ireland/EU.
• Proven ability to interpret applicable legislation and develop appropriate policy and / or procedures to demonstrate compliance in coordination with the business.
• Experience managing complex projects in multi stakeholder environments.
• Previous experience or knowledge of using carbon/emissions management tools or software is desirable.
• Strong communication skills, verbal, written and visual.
• Strong influencing skills and stakeholder management experience (internal and external) are desirable.
• The ability to work effectively as part of a team, collaborating cross functionally with colleagues across the organisation.
• Given breadth of role, strong leadership and influencing skills also key
• Ability to work under pressure, and to effectively balance/prioritise multiple competing demands
• Time and Project management skills.
• Analytical skills are desirable
• Self-starter with an appetite to embrace new challenges as they arise.
• Recognised Third level degree or postgraduate qualification in sustainability related areas (including in Science/ Environmental/Engineering)
• Relevant postgraduate qualification desirable
• Committed to daa values & leadership standards.

daa is an equal opportunities employer committed to celebrating diversity & inclusion and recognising the value that difference can bring, both for our business and for our people. We encourage applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experience. We ensure our recruitment process is accessible to all and offer reasonable accommodations to applicants at all stages of the selection process.