Responsible Business Manager

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Closing date: 30/11/2024
Experience level: Advanced
Term: Permanent
Working hours: Full-time
Practice area: Central Management
Location: Guildford
The Role

Impact is a collective term we use to describe our community engagement, diversity and inclusion, environmental and related activities. Our impact activities are an important part of what we are as a business, and they are integral to the life and culture of S&B.

We seek to make a positive difference to clients, our people, and our community.

The purpose of this role is to develop the firms’ Impact (ESG, CSR, D&I) vision and strategy by working with the Board and key senior stakeholders, and to manage activities to deliver to it. The Responsible Business Manager is a new role at the heart of the business, with responsibility for leading Impact activities across the firm. The role with have sole responsibility for ESG and CSR activities and work closely with HR on D&I.

The role includes driving and co-ordinating all the responsible business activities and to be the central point of contact across the firm. There is significant scope for the right individual to develop this role as the strategy of the Firm progresses. The activities may therefore evolve over time but initial areas of responsibility will include.

Key Activities/ Responsibilities

  • Impact Strategy - shape, develop and deliver a firm-wide Impact programme which is aligned to the wider business strategy.
    • Help shape long term Impact goals for the business, working closely with the Board.
    • Lead the thinking in how the Firm can best balance making a positive difference, delivering the right stakeholder engagement, and operating commercially (including maximising return on investments).
    • Ensure the firm is meeting its regulatory requirements.
    • Lead our Impact Committee (passionate volunteer and interest groups from across the business that organise events and activities) to devise, collect together, prioritise, join up and co-ordinate activities – delivering maximum impact internally and externally.
    • Devise and manage an Impact Budget and annual calendar of events.
    • Maintain an understanding of leading global trends and best practice within responsible business.
  • Impact Reporting, Data, and Governance
    • Develop a firm-wide efficient and effective data capture process for fulfilling our reporting requirements that anticipates deadlines and market changes.
    • Lead the preparation and publication of all our regulatory or chosen reporting, including the management of external consultants who may be engaged to support. Examples include ESOS, SECR, Gender Pay Gap (working with HR).
    • Reporting on our compliance with all aspects of the firm's growing obligations
    • Continuously works toward improving the Impact reporting processes and related internal control environment to ensure data reliability and accuracy.
    • Continuously monitor the environment to identify the market best practice and trends and anticipate/implement any new reporting requirements
    • Ownership over Impact related policies and procedures (creation, implementation, management, compliance and reporting).
  • Maximising our external Impact
    • Business Development and Client Management
      • Supporting the development of market-focussed initiatives.
      • Providing input for client requests and pitches with a Sustainability & Responsible Business component, working closely with BD
      • Project managing client requests for information on the Firm’s Impact activities and other areas of client interest.
    • Marketing and Profile Raising
      • Generate reporting that progresses our firm's brand and reputation
      • Managing website content for Impact
      • Supporting the global directories process and awards submissions focussed on Impact and Responsible Business
      • Providing support and information for events with a Responsible Business focus
      • Managing any social media and PR campaigns related to Responsible Business.
      • Manage relationships with key community partners, track benefits
    • Recruitment
      • Ensuring the Firms Impact strategy resonates with employees and drives employee engagement, including attracting new talent to the business.
      • Active promotion of the Impact agenda.
      • Input into induction and on-boarding programmes to raise awareness.
  • Maximising our internal Impact
    • Driving employee engagement – promoting the Firms Impact agenda and activity, educating staff members (including training programmes), and ensuring activity positively contributes to our culture.
    • Managing Internal communications relating to Impact.
    • Managing and contributing to internal events related to responsible business such as pro-bono and CSR events.
  • Stakeholder Engagement & Management
    • Quarterly reporting to the Board - develop a compelling data-driven communications narrative which articulates the Responsible Business strategy with clarity and impact, including progress.
    • Prepare and provide analysis of Responsible Business activity and spend to the COO.
    • Member of the Firm’s Risk Committee – advising the Firm around activity risks relating to Responsible Business.  
    • Act as a key contact internally and externally for all Responsible Business activities.
    • Manage all Impact external relationships including with our charity partners.
    • Raise profile of Responsible Business through external and internal messaging and campaigns.
Qualifications and Experience
  • Previous experience of developing Responsible Business strategy and programmes within a professional services firm.
  • Experience in the sustainability field with an understanding of professional service / law firm ESG reporting and regulatory requirements.
  • Proven experience of successfully preparing ESG reports and responses to ESG data requests.
  • Experience with CSR and D&I reporting and working an advantage, including pro-bono and charitable partnering.
  • Experience of promoting and marketing responsible business activities and achievements internally and externally.
  • Project management knowledge with experience of managing suppliers and budgets.
  • Gravitas and a strategic thinker, with the ability to engage and influence senior leaders (including Board level)
  • Excellent relationship-builder, able to develop a broad network of relationships internally and externally and positively influence.
  • Team player with the ability to gain the confidence of colleagues at all levels alongside being able and comfortable to work independently.
  • Strong strategic communications skills
  • High degree of data literacy
  • Strong written and IT skills to produce and present work internally and externally, and aptitude for creating engaging content.
  • Reliable and well organised
  • Flexible and adaptable approach to work
The Opportunity
  • Competitive base salary
  • Pensions Scheme (5% employer contribution)
  • Private medical insurance
  • Permanent health insurance
  • Life assurance
  • Receive either the sum of £750 per annum as a travel allowance or reimbursement of carparking expenses via a pay as you go card at a local carpark (likely to be Farnham Road carpark)
  • Travel – option to apply for an interest free loan for a season ticket or parking permit
  • Enhanced maternity/paternity pay (after sufficient service)
  • Cash back scheme
  • Comprehensive flexible benefits package including:
  • Critical illness insurance
  • Buy/Sell holiday scheme
  • Dental insurance
  • Cycle to work schemes
  • Taste card
  • Fun pass
  • Give as you earn
  • Discounted gym memberships and shopping
  • Profit share and discretionary bonus schemes
The Firm

Stevens & Bolton is an independent UK law firm with around 175 lawyers, approximately a third of them partners, many of whom chose to join us from City law firms.We are based in Guildford and work across the UK and internationally with handpicked partner firms for an extensive client base ranging from major international organisations, UK FTSE companies, owner managed businesses, entrepreneurs and individuals.

With everyone under one roof, actively supporting one another and always making a positive difference.

Diversity & Inclusion
We have a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion (D&I). This drives a strategy which focuses on constant promotion of an inclusive culture that encourages everyone to realise their full potential and be themselves at work. Previously we have been shortlisted for “Best D&I Initiative” at The HR Awards and for “Best Talent and Inclusion Initiative” at The Lawyer Awards.