Sustainability Compliance Lead

Company Description

About M3: A Japanese global leader in the provision of ground-breaking and innovative technological and research solutions to the healthcare industry. The M3 Group operates in the US, Asia, and Europe with over 5.8 million physician members globally via its physician websites which include mdlinx.com, m3.com, research.m3.com, Doctors.net.uk, medigate.net, and medlive.cn. M3 Inc. is a publicly traded company on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (jp:2413, NIKKEI 225) with subsidiaries in major markets including the US, UK, Japan, South Korea, and China, and in 2020 was ranked in Forbes’ Global 2000 list. The M3 Group provides services to healthcare and the life science industry. In addition to market research, these services include medical education, ethical drug promotion, clinical development, job recruitment, and clinic appointment services. M3 has offices in Japan, UK, France, Germany, Brazil, Sweden, China, USA, and South Korea, as well as India.

About the Business Unit: 

M3 EU delivers market research and healthcare technology services to large pharmaceutical clients across Europe. Based within M3 EU Central Services, this role owns M3's global sustainability compliance programme end to end - spanning EcoVadis performance, carbon and emissions reporting, supplier and procurement due diligence, and sustainability governance and policy across M3's business units - ensuring our credentials and supporting documentation stand up to scrutiny during Master Services Agreement (MSA) negotiations, contract renewals and client questionnaires.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

Including, but not limited to the following:

• Own and maintain EcoVadis submissions for business unit entities - gathering evidence, keeping documentation current, and working to protect and improve scores year on year.
• Continually audit sustainability policies and the employee handbook for consistency and correct application across the business, including procurement - coordinating supplier sustainability surveys and MSAs with the MR team and, over time, other procurement teams.
• Complete client sustainability questionnaires and the sustainability sections of RFPs, accurately and to client deadlines.
• Support colleagues during MSA negotiations and renewals by supplying the sustainability information clients require.
• Keep supplier sustainability due diligence up to date and aligned with current UK and EU requirements.
• Maintain sustainability policies and internal documentation so they remain accurate and audit-ready.
• Meet externally set deadlines, including EcoVadis renewal cycles, annual SBTi and ISO 14064 submissions, CDP input (in coordination with M3 Japan), and client questionnaire response windows.
• Track relevant regulatory developments (CSRD, UK reporting requirements, client-driven standards such as PSCI) and flag anything that affects our obligations.
• Maintain the underlying data - emissions, energy and waste - that feeds our reporting and disclosures.
• Contribute to M3's thought leadership on sustainability - hosting webinars, supporting client calls, and representing the business at industry events.
• Keep marketing materials up to date, ensuring they accurately reflect the achievements and ongoing progress of the sustainability programme.
• Draft and update any relevant policies in accordance with M3 Inc corporate ESG requirements, securing required sign-off from relevant stakeholders.
• Draft and publish annual sustainability report and carbon footprint targets.

Essential Job Functions

The essential functions of this position include the Key Responsibilities described above, together with the following requirements applicable to all employees, which must be performed with or without reasonable adjustments as provided for under the Equality Act 2010:

• Maintain regular, reliable, and punctual attendance consistent with the assigned schedule.
• Participate in video conferences — including team meetings and client-facing interactions — with camera on.
• Work cooperatively and respectfully with colleagues, clients, and other stakeholders.
• Comply with all Company policies and procedures.

Qualifications

Education and Training Required

Degree or equivalent professional qualification in sustainability, environmental management, or a related field - or equivalent practical experience. A relevant certification (e.g. IEMA or ISEP carbon accounting certification) is preferred but not required.

Minimum Experience

• 3-5 years in a sustainability, ESG or compliance role with direct, hands-on responsibility for EcoVadis submissions.
• Demonstrable experience responding to client sustainability questionnaires, ideally in a B2B, pharmaceutical or healthcare-facing environment.
• Experience supporting commercial or legal colleagues during contract and MSA negotiations is an advantage.
• Working knowledge of carbon accounting principles and GHG data collection - required given the scope of in-house carbon footprint reporting.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Practical understanding of how EcoVadis scoring works, including evidence requirements and how to move a score.
• Working knowledge of UK and EU sustainability reporting requirements (CSRD, UK reporting obligations) sufficient to identify what applies to the business.
• Strong organisation and follow-through, with the ability to manage multiple externally set deadlines simultaneously.
• Clear, straightforward written communication for external audiences.
• Ability to work independently across all of M3's business units with minimal supervision.
• Desirable: exposure to pharmaceutical or healthcare sector client requirements; experience with other ESG platforms or ratings frameworks.

Additional Information

Employee Benefits:

• 25 days annual leave
• Participation in a company bonus scheme linked to personal and company performance
• Group Life Cover 4x salary
• Pension 4%/4% employee/employer contributions
• Vitality health
• Staff discount scheme
• Discounted gym membership​

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