Head Environment, VAML - L

Role: Head Environment, VAML Lanjigarh

Grade: M3/M4

Location: Lanjigarh, Odisha

JOB PURPOSE:

The Head Environment will be responsible for ensuring world-class environmental stewardship, regulatory compliance, and sustainability performance across Vedanta Alumina Business. The role is accountable for driving environmental excellence through effective management of environmental risks, statutory compliances, waste and water management, emissions control, sustainability initiatives, and stakeholder engagement. This position will work towards achieving Vedanta's vision of Zero Harm, Zero Waste, and Zero Discharge, while ensuring adherence to all applicable regulatory requirements, Environmental Clearances (EC), Consent to Establish (CTE), Consent to Operate (CTO), and Vedanta Sustainability Assurance Program (VSAP) standards.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

1.        1. Environmental Compliance & Governance

• Ensure 100% compliance with applicable Environmental Laws, Rules, Regulations, and Standards.

• Lead compliance related to Environmental Clearance (EC), Consent to Establish (CTE), Consent to Operate (CTO), Forest & Environmental approvals, and other statutory requirements.

• Represent the organization before regulatory authorities including MoEF&CC, CPCB, SPCB, District Administration, and other statutory bodies.

• Ensure timely submission of statutory reports, environmental returns, and regulatory disclosures.

• Drive ISO 14001 Environmental Management System implementation and continual improvement.

2.       2.  Sustainability & Environmental Performance

• Develop and implement strategies for water conservation, waste management, carbon reduction, and resource efficiency.

• Drive initiatives towards Zero Waste to Landfill and Zero Liquid Discharge.

• Monitor and improve environmental performance indicators including emissions, effluents, waste generation, water consumption, and carbon footprint.

• Ensure adherence to Vedanta Sustainability Assurance Program (VSAP) and ESG commitments.

• Lead biodiversity conservation, green belt development, plantation programs, and ecosystem preservation initiatives.

3.        3. Environmental Monitoring & Risk Management

• Oversee environmental monitoring programs covering air quality, water quality, soil quality, noise levels, stack emissions, and wastewater.

• Identify, assess, and mitigate environmental risks across operations.

• Lead environmental incident investigations, corrective actions, and preventive measures.

• Ensure preparedness and response mechanisms for environmental emergencies.

4.        4. Operational Excellence

• Monitor operation and performance of environmental infrastructure including Effluent Treatment Plants (ETP), Sewage Treatment Plants (STP), Water Treatment Systems, Waste Management Facilities, Environmental Monitoring Systems etc.

• Ensure effective waste segregation, handling, treatment, recycling, and disposal practices.

• Drive digitization and automation of HSES and environmental management systems.

5.        5. Stakeholder Management

• Liaise effectively with regulatory authorities, external agencies, consultants, auditors, and certification bodies.

• Partner with operations, projects, maintenance, commercial, and support functions to ensure environmental compliance and sustainability integration.

• Manage external audits, environmental inspections, and compliance assessments.

6.        6. Team Leadership & Capability Building

• Build, mentor, and develop a high-performing environmental team.

• Drive environmental awareness and sustainability culture across employees and business partners.

• Conduct capability-building programs and technical trainings on environmental compliance and best practices.

• Foster a culture of accountability, ownership, and continuous improvement.

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:

• B.Tech. (Mandatory) in Environmental Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mining Engineering, or related discipline and M.Tech./M.Sc. (Preferred) in Environmental Science.

• 12+ years of relevant experience in Environment Management within large Metals & Mining, Aluminium, Power, Steel or Heavy Engineering industries.

• Specialized certifications in Environmental Management, Sustainability, ESG, ISO 14001, or related fields.

• Proven experience in managing environmental compliance, sustainability initiatives, statutory approvals, and stakeholder engagement.

• Prior experience of working with regulatory authorities such as MoEF&CC, CPCB, and SPCB is highly desirable.

• Experience in leading large environmental teams and driving operational sustainability programs.

FUNCTIONAL SKILLS:

• Deep understanding of Environmental Laws, Acts, Rules, and Regulatory Frameworks.

• Strong exposure to environmental management in integrated industrial complexes. Knowledge of environmental technologies, ESG frameworks, sustainability reporting, treatment systems, and pollution control mechanisms.

• Demonstrated success in maintaining impeccable compliance records.

• Expertise in EC, CTE, CTO, hazardous waste management, environmental monitoring, and compliance reporting.

• Strong knowledge of ISO 14001 and integrated management systems.

• Ability to build strong relationships with regulatory authorities and external stakeholders.

• Proficiency in environmental data analytics, digital monitoring systems, and HSES platforms.