Who are we?
The Mineral Products Association (MPA) is the trade association for aggregates, asphalt, cement, concrete, industrial sands, dimension stone, lime and mortar producers. It has a membership of around 150 producer companies and 225 associated companies, representing around 90% of the mineral products sector. It is the sectoral voice for mineral products throughout the UK. MPA represents the interests of its members with all levels of Government, regulators, external audiences and other organisations both in the UK and Overseas. MPA membership is made up of the vast majority of independent SME quarrying companies throughout the UK, as well as all of the major international and global companies within the sector. MPA employs directly around 45 employees supporting the organisation and its members. The industry supplies some £22 billion worth of materials and services to the economy each year.
The Role
Managing and coordinating a small multi disciplinary team, the Head of Sustainability plays an important role in MPA by leading UK Concrete’s sustainability strategy and programme of activity and providing strategic oversight of all MPA UK Concrete related work. The post holder will be UK Concrete’s key representative and advocate in demonstrating how concrete can be used as part of a net zero and circular economy.
The post holder will use their technical knowledge and experience to advise MPA Members and the wider concrete supply chain on how to respond to market (demand-side) sustainability requirements.
The post holder will use their knowledge and network to influence standards and procurement policy as well as develop guidance that equips policy-makers and constructors to benefit from the sustainable credentials of concrete and masonry in the UK.
Key Responsibilities and Competencies
- To lead key industry initiatives including the UK Concrete Sustainable Construction Strategy, and input into initiatives such as the Roadmap to Beyond Net Zero.
- To lead the UK Concrete agenda and coordination of sustainability, public policy, and Campaign activities, and oversee and deliver the governance of UK Concrete activity.
- Collaboration and coordination with The Concrete Centre and other concrete product groups and liaising with colleagues throughout MPA to ensure effective delivery of interconnected projects.
- Provide leadership on sustainability issues and projects.
- To deliver the action plan for the sector in collaboration with the UK Concrete Sustainable Construction Working Group and Task Groups and supported by UK Concrete Steering Group and MPA product groups.
- Provide progress reports, analysis and results of activity to members and to MPA and representing UK Concrete in MPA related meetings.
- Contribute to developing best practice guidance and key policy messages related to sustainable construction.
- To be responsible for providing expert technical and sustainability advice and support to designers, constructors and clients of concrete construction including infrastructure, framed buildings and housing.
- To be an active member of and represent the UK Concrete sector in industry bodies such as CONSTRUCT, UKGBC, Green Construction Board’s LCCG and the Construction Leadership Council (CLC).
- To prepare and deliver technical and political advocacy presentations on the use of concrete or concrete products for sustainable construction. Or, where appropriate, organise specialist presentations from colleagues or partner or external bodies etc.
- To develop and maintain contacts within influential organisations and key stakeholders in the field of sustainable construction and engage them in the sustainable use of concrete construction products.
- To promote innovation in concrete manufacturing and in design and construction and help to coordinate and communicate innovation from across the sector and academia.
- Assist in the promotion and development of communication assets to promote concrete and masonry as sustainable construction materials of choice.
- To support market intelligence on concrete’s competitors – steel, timber, composites, plastics, and other materials; to assess threats and opportunities to inform how the concrete industry can respond to opportunities and/or counter the threats.
- To line manage the UK Concrete team with 4 direct reports.
- Responsible for UK Concrete budgeting and invoices
Skills, Knowledge and Experience Required for the Job
- The role requires a background in the construction sector with expertise and understanding of sustainability issues in the built environment.
- In depth knowledge of concrete and sustainable construction and the procurement of construction materials.
- Possess/demonstrate excellent networking and relationship building skills with a wide range of stakeholders and the ability to maintain good personal networks at an appropriate level within relevant stakeholder groups
- Excellent communication presenting and writing skills, including effective interactions in person and online.
- Be able to prepare and confidently deliver technical, commercial and promotional presentations to large audiences of construction industry professionals.
- Be able to represent the UK Concrete sector at a senior level to Government, industry and on national/international committees.
- Experience in establishing and managing complex, multi-stakeholder projects and networks.
- Understanding of the role of all stakeholders and influencers in the construction sector including policy makers, standards, regulations, clients and members of the project team.
- Experience of leading multi-disciplinary teams within matrix organizational structures.
- Be capable of recognising threats to/opportunities for the sector.
- Experience of a membership organisation is preferable but not essential.
- The post holder will need to be confident and self-motivated when working alone as well as being able to deliver as part of a team.
- Excellent analytical and quantitative skills, attention to details as well as the ability to quickly learn new skills.
- Have strong administration skills with a sound knowledge of Excel, PowerPoint, MS Word, MS Teams.
- Have an eye for detail and the ability to work under pressure, managing several projects at once and ensuring deadlines are met.
- Experience of creating and managing budgets and managing resources to deliver both business as usual and project activity
