Position Overview:
We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Director, Environment and Sustainability to report to the VP of EHS. This pivotal role will lead and manage all environmental and sustainability aspects of datacenter land development, design, construction, and fleet operations. You will act as the global focal point for environmental matters, ensuring that our rapid growth is matched by a culture of excellence, rigorous compliance, and transparent GHG reporting. The successful candidate will be a strategic leader, capable of collaborating effectively with internal teams, general contractors, and regulatory agencies to deliver world-class environmental performance.
Key Responsibilities
1. Strategic Leadership & Governance
- Primary Focal Point: Act as the global subject matter expert and vocal advocate for all environmental and sustainability matters across the datacenter fleet.
- EHS Integration: Collaborate with the VP of EHS to align fleet environmental goals with corporate EHS Management Systems (ISO 14001/45001) and promote the HESS Golden Rules.
- Risk Management: Maintain the Environmental Risk Register, identifying and mitigating long-term threats such as climate physical risks, water scarcity, and regulatory shifts.
- Culture of Excellence: Ensure your team and colleagues speak up and report all environmental incidents, including ‘near miss’ incidents.
- Operational Paranoia: Anticipate risks, identify vulnerabilities, and proactively implement mechanisms to safeguard safety, sustainability, and scale.
- Analytics: Make data-driven decisions, assess cost structures, and identify potential risks.
- Influence and Persuasion: Effectively advocate for environmental positions and build consensus without compromising relationships.
2. Permitting, Compliance & Lifecycle Management
- End-to-End Permitting: Manage the full lifecycle of environmental permits (Air, Water, Waste) from initial application through technical review, approval, and operational monitoring.
- Caveat & Renewal Tracking: Develop and maintain a robust system to track permit conditions, caveats, and renewal timelines to ensure 100% operational uptime.
- Regulatory Intelligence: Monitor global/regional environmental legislation and translate complex requirements into actionable internal policies and training programs.
3. Environmental Design & Land Development
- Pre-Construction Strategy: Partner with Land Development and Design teams to conduct "Aspects and Impacts" assessments during the site selection and engineering phases.
- Natural Resource Stewardship: Oversee biodiversity initiatives, land-use planning, and water stewardship (WUE), ensuring compliance with frameworks like NEPA or local equivalents.
4. Contractor Accountability & GHG Reporting
- Supply Chain Measurement: Establish rigorous environmental benchmarks for all contractors and vendors.
- GHG Protocol Management: Ensure that all vendor and construction activities are measured and reported in strict alignment with GHG reporting protocols (Scope 1, 2, and 3).
- Waste Stream Oversight: Implement a comprehensive tracking system for all waste streams (hazardous and non-hazardous), ensuring zero-harm disposal and diversion goals.
- Strategic Thinking: Recognize how supplier relationships and negotiations align with broader organizational goals.
5. Advanced Reporting, Financial Stewardship & Audits
- Performance Analytics: Develop robust environmental and sustainability reporting dashboards for executive leadership and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) disclosures.
- Financial Oversight: