Associate, EHS Operations, PDS EMEA

Job Title

Associate, EHS Operations, PDS EMEA

Job Description Summary

Cushman & Wakefield is a leading global commercial real estate services firm for property owners and occupiers with approximately 52,000 employees in nearly 400 offices and 60 countries. In 2023, the firm reported revenue of $9.5 billion across its core services of property, facilities and project management, leasing, capital markets, and valuation and other services. It also receives numerous industry and business accolades for its award-winning culture and commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), sustainability and more.
For additional information, visit www.cushmanwakefield.com. 

Job Description

Position Title: Associate, EHS Operations, PDS - EMEA            

Department: PDS

The EHS Operations, PDS – EMEA is accountable for ensuring consistent, scalable and high‑quality EHS execution across all Project & Development Services (PDS) activities in the EMEA region.

The role is established to strengthen and scale the EMEA EHS Operating Model, supporting business growth by enhancing consistency, operational execution, and EHS capability across countries and sites.

In this context, the role will reinforce strong alignment between PDS business objectives, operational challenges and EHS priorities, creating the foundation for EHS to act as a strategic enabler and change maker.
By proactively influencing decision‑making, the role ensures that EHS considerations are embedded into strategic planning, operational execution and business growth across PDS EMEA.

Reporting directly into the business and in alignment with the EMEA/APAC EHS team, the role acts as the operational engine of EHS within PDS EMEA, ensuring that EHS standards, expectations, tools and behaviours are fully embedded into day‑to‑day project delivery and applied consistently across all sites and countries. The role will support our country PDS businesses across the region to deliver measurable improvements in health, safety and environmental performance in support of our global corporate and EHS strategic priorities. In doing this, the role will have a particular focus on delivering EHS and supply chain management improvements across the region to develop a consistent high-performance approach.

This senior role requires commercial acumen and full accountability for building and sustaining key stakeholder relationships with senior operational leaders across the region, including the Head of PDS EMEA, the Head of PDS Operations EMEA, and in‑country leadership. The position calls for an experienced professional who is confident and effective in senior‑level engagement and presentations.

Core Responsibilities:

To reinforce the EMEA PDS operating model and ensure consistent, high‑quality EHS execution across all countries and projects, this role will provide clear operational leadership, alignment and accountability. With a  matrix reporting line to the EMEA PDS leadership and the EMEA EHS Team, the individual will:

• Acting as a trusted business partner and counsel on EHS matters for the EMEA PDS Leadership.
• Developing, implementing and supporting delivery against appropriate EHS service line objectives, targets and improvement programs that are aligned to the PDS business strategy and regional EHS Strategy.
• Support the EMEA EHS team in identifying, monitoring and managing appropriate EHS metrics designed to monitor EHS outcomes and performance. Contributing actively to global ESG reporting through metric monitoring. Taking steps to continuously improve the availability and quality of EHS performance reporting.
• Monitoring and reporting on EHS performance and progress against PDS EHS objectives.
• Assisting the EMEA EHS team in the investigation of significant incidents and identifying lessons learnt. Leading initiatives and programs to prevent recurrences.
• Supporting PDS to identify and implement EHS platform improvements that focus on achieving consistent operational delivery in areas such as supply chain vetting and management, contractor control and supervision, critical risk mitigation and performance reporting.
• Collaborate with Cluster Managers and existing PDS EHS resources where in place to) to develop and implement consistent regional programs and initiatives..
• Support the EMEA EHS team in the implementation of global EHS reporting systems  (Intelex)and PDS Systems (Procore) in order to assist with EHS management.
• In collaboration with EMEA EHS Team, developing service line training programs, methods of delivery and evaluation of effectiveness to ensure employees have an awareness of EHS programs and strategy.
• Routinely updating PDS leadership on EHS matters and events associated with the role responsibilities / scope.
• Providing support and technical advice to PDS senior leaders to enable them to discharge their accountabilities and responsibilities for health, safety and the environment..
• Work closely with Cluster Managers to monitor trends in legislation and best practice to support continuing legal compliance and best practice operations. Horizon scanning for new relevant legislation and supporting the business to prepare for new requirements.
• Support the EMEA EHS Team in managing critical, contentious and complex EHS matters in a professional manner, acting as trusted advisor to senior leadership. Supporting PDS with critical business development and client account management activity as may be relevant to EHS.
• Assisting the global EHS community with the development and implementation of templates, guidelines and the mobilisation of global tools such as Intelex within the PDS service line.
• Developing initiatives specifically for the PDS service line.
• Clarify, reinforce and embed EHS roles, responsibilities and accountability at project, site, country and regional level, to streamline delivery and improve consistency.
• Ensure that EHS ownership is clear, visible and consistently applied, and that EHS requirements are embedded in every PDS project across EMEA, regardless of country, scale or complexity.
• Provide regional operational oversight of EHS across all PDS activities.
• Consultation on and engaging participation in EHS matters across the workforce is considered essential for the role. The EHS Operations, PDS – EMEA will initiate and run engagement forums as are appropriate to ensure that EHS matters are appropriately discussed and consulted upon by leadership as well as the general employee population.
• Ensure EHS expectations and standards are clearly translated into practical, on‑site execution.
• Translate EHS standards into clear operational requirements for PDS.
• Define practical standards, guidance and benchmarks that clearly articulate what good EHS performance looks like on site.
• Support the development of a strong, consistent EHS culture across PDS teams and suppliers.
• Strengthen adoption of existing EHS processes and documents by simplifying, streamlining and embedding them into daily operations.
• Promote effective use of EHS tools, controls and systems, ensuring they support operational delivery.
• Support local teams in managing improvement areas and driving corrective actions.
• Reinforce a consistent approach to accountability and performance management in relation to EHS.
• Work closely with the EMEA EHS team on the maintenance and ongoing development of the ISO Management Systems and strategic reporting.
• Report to the EMEA EHS Manager any changes that may affect C&W employee safety, ensuring that compliance processes are adjusted accordingly.
• Attend project sites to monitor and enforce operational EHS standards, supporting a culture of safety and compliance.
• Meet with PDS Clients where required to represent C&W.

Qualifications / Knowledge & Experience:

Educated to diploma / degree level in Occupational Health and Safety or an equivalent discipline (Recognised qualifications such as NEBOSH diploma or the Health and Safety Coordinator certification in line with European Directive 92/57/EEC (Temporary or Mobile Construction Sites Directive) are considered a strong advantage).  The successful candidate will have demonstrable experience of developing, implementing and refining models of health, safety and environmental management in accordance with the requirements of international standards.

Detailed knowledge and practical application of safety in the fields of construction and real estate management.

Experience of working in a multi-site environment in the facilities, retail, construction, property or service delivery sector.

The successful candidate will likely currently report to the PDS Board / ExCo level stakeholders and will have a proven track record of working independently to influence senior stakeholders.

The successful candidate will currently hold a position of responsibility within an organisation where brand / reputation management is seen as critical and where they are accountable for the safety of large numbers of internal / external stakeholders.

The successful candidate will have worked successfully in an international role and will have experience in developing relationships internationally. While travel is essential the candidate should also be competent and capable in the use of IT engagement tools e.g. Microsoft Teams, video conferencing etc to deliver meetings, workshops and training sessions.

Skills & Personal Qualities:

Proven skills and qualities in the following areas:

Relationship and stakeholder management, influencing skills, commercial awareness and pragmatic problem-solving skills are essential requirements for this role.

Professional and proactive in approach and style, an excellent relationship builder, able to coach and influence change, by working in partnership and collaboration across the business.

Able to operate at a senior level with senior executive stakeholders. Resilience and tenacity will be required in order to achieve the objectives and targets of the role.

Able to act calmly and with authority in a crisis. Able to deal with major incidents and provide expert counsel to members of the company executive on appropriate action to be taken in the event of any EHS-related incident.

Ability to effectively respond to complex enquiries, solve complex problems and provide innovative solutions, whilst considering the bigger picture and commercial factors, anticipating potential issues and future needs of the business.

Ability to recognize and manage the nuances of EHS delivery in different cultures and to develop practical solutions that meet client/service line requirements.

Likes to work as part of a team but is equally comfortable working alone, enjoys working with diverse and dynamic stakeholders and business units.

Excellent presentational skills and confident in delivering complex and difficult messages to a variety of different stakeholders of varying seniority.

Exceptional time management skills and an ability to work and deliver under pressure.

Fluent in English

We foster a culture of inclusion that embraces the unique strengths, perspectives, and experiences of all our employees. We firmly believe that our diversity enhances our team's capabilities, leading to improved decision-making, innovation, and business outcomes. If you have any reservations about applying, please don't hesitate to reach out to your local recruiter for additional information

 

 

 

INCO: “Cushman & Wakefield”