Head of Sustainability (12 month FTC)

We're ASOS, the online retailer for fashion lovers all around the world.   

We exist to give our customers the confidence to be whoever they want to be, and that goes for our people too. At ASOS, you're free to be your true self without judgement, and channel your creativity into a platform used by millions. 

Everyone needs some help showing up as their best self. We're Disability Confident Committed - let our Talent team know if you need any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process 

The Head of Sustainability is a senior leadership role with clear accountability for ESG legislation, environmental compliance and sustainability‑related risk across ASOS’s products, supply chain and operations.

This role sets and delivers ASOS’s environmental sustainability strategy while ensuring the business is prepared for current and emerging ESG regulation, including product, supply‑chain and claims‑related requirements. The role partners closely with Commercial, Sourcing, Product, Legal, Finance and Technology teams to translate complex regulation into practical, scalable business solutions.

The Head of Sustainability is a key advisor to senior leadership and the Board, ensuring sustainability commitments are credible, compliant and defensible. Externally, the role represents ASOS with regulators, industry bodies, NGOs and key partners, positioning ASOS as a credible and progressive leader in sustainable fashion.

What You'll Be Doing

ESG Legislation, Compliance & Risk

• Develop ASOS’s approach to environmental ESG legislation and regulatory compliance across product, emissions, circularity and materials.  
• Track, interpret and operationalise emerging ESG legislation, translating regulatory change into clear business actions and timelines.
• Provide clear, decision‑ready updates to senior leadership and the Board on regulatory exposure, risk and readiness.
• Ensure sustainability claims, communications and disclosures are accurate, substantiated and legally robust, reducing greenwashing and enforcement risk.
• Lead sustainability‑related due diligence, risk assessment and mitigation, working closely with Legal and Compliance teams, including developing framework and controls.
• Oversee development of robust sustainability polices and implementation to reduce risk and proactively engage supply base

Strategy & Governance

• Keeping abreast of changing global ESG sustainability legislation and understanding how it effects an online fashion retailer.  
• Set and evolve ASOS’s environmental sustainability strategy in line with business priorities, regulatory requirements and industry best practice.
• Lead the environmental pillars of Fashion with Integrity, ensuring strong governance, prioritisation and accountability.
• Act as programme lead for ASOS’s Net Zero and carbon reduction roadmap (Scopes 1–3).
• Establish KPIs, controls and governance frameworks to ensure compliance and measurable progress.
• Provide senior‑level leadership and influence across the Management Committee, Executive team and Board Sustainability Committee, representing Sustainability within the FWI Steering Group and leading delivery of key Planet and Product targets.

Commercial & Product

• Set the strategic direction of product and planet sustainability roadmap; using data to develop short, medium and long-term targets
• Lead and embed the integration of sustainability and compliance requirements into product design, sourcing and buying decisions.
• Set the strategic direction of product sustainability, defining short and long-term OKRs. Ensuring sustainable materials, circularity and environmental initiatives meet both commercial objectives and key results and regulatory expectations.
• Lead development and delivery of internal training programmes, tools, guides and communications to help upskill commercial teams
• Lead implementation of a robust certification process – short term ensure system is implemented, med to long term ensure integration into PLM and commercial/technical functions

Supply Chain & Due Diligence

• Oversee environmental sustainability across ASOS’s global supply chain (Tier 1–5), including carbon, water and waste.
• Lead environmental due diligence for suppliers, mills and materials, ensuring alignment with legislation and internal standards.
• Drive transparency and traceability initiatives to support compliance, reporting and credible disclosures.

Reporting, Data & Disclosure

• Own sustainability section of reporting, external disclosures and membership reporting such as alignment with annual report, frameworks such as TCFD and other regulatory‑driven reporting requirements e.g. CMA.
• Ensure robust data governance, control framework, auditability and consistency across sustainability metrics.
• Lead the carbon reporting for the business including the corporate carbon footprint (CCF) and Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) and data across the business.
• Support accurate, compliant external reporting and investor‑grade disclosures.

Team leadership

• Lead, coach and develop a high‑performing sustainability team with strong regulatory and technical capability.
• Build ESG and compliance understanding across the wider business through training, tools and guidance.
• Foster a culture of empowerment, accountability, transparency, commercial pragmatism and a motivating work environment.
• Manage department budget

Stakeholder Engagement & External Leadership

• Represent ASOS with regulators, industry bodies, NGOs and strategic partners.
• Engage proactively on policy, legislation and industry standards to help shape best practice.
• Act as a credible internal and external authority on sustainability and ESG regulation.

Who We'd Like To Meet

• Senior experience leading sustainability / ESG within fashion, retail or complex global supply chains.
• Experienced team leader with at least 3+ years in a role managing a team
• Strong, practical understanding of ESG legislation, regulatory compliance and sustainability claims risk.
• Proven experience translating regulation into operational business change.
• Experience owning sustainability reporting, disclosures and governance.
• Excellent senior stakeholder and Board‑level influencing skills.
• Thrives in a fast paced, agile environment
• Experience leading Net Zero or science‑based targets.
• Background in commercial, product sustainability, sourcing or supply‑chain transformation.

BeneFITS’  

• Employee discount (hello ASOS discount!)  
• Employee sample sales  
• 25 days paid annual leave + an extra celebration day for a special moment  
• Discretionary bonus scheme  
• Private medical care scheme  
• Flexible benefits allowance - which you can choose to take as extra cash, or use towards other benefits 
• Opportunity for personalised learning and in-the-moment experiences that enable you to thrive and excel in your role.