Director Sustainability Central Europe

Location:

At Sibelco, we advance life through materials.
For over 150 years, we’ve been a trusted leader in sourcing, transforming, and distributing specialty industrial minerals. Our work powers progress across industries as diverse as glass, ceramics, construction, coatings, polymers, and water purification. Beyond our materials, we’re proud of our commitment to sustainability, innovation, and empowering people from all walks of life to thrive and make a meaningful impact.

Are We the Perfect Match?

At Sibelco, we believe building a successful career is a two-way journey. We’re looking for individuals who share our values and vision, just as much as you’re seeking a company that aligns with your aspirations. Together, we can shape the future.

Job Description:

Director Sustainability Central Europe

Role Information

Location: Region of Maastricht preferred, with flexibility possible for candidates based elsewhere in the Netherlands or in Belgium.
Working model: Hybrid, with regular presence at operational sites important for permitting, stakeholder engagement and team collaboration.

Regional scope: Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, the Czech Republic, Poland and Ukraine.
Reports to: Vice President Sustainability
Contract: Permanent | Full-time

Are you passionate about sustainability and the environment, looking for a leadership role with real ownership and the opportunity to influence long-term business decisions? As Director Sustainability Central Europe at Sibelco, you will join a supportive and collaborative global Sustainability team, lead Sustainability Managers and Specialists across the region, and play a key role in shaping the environmental agenda for Central Europe. With significant autonomy and visibility, you will influence long-term decisions around land, permitting, quarry development and environmental performance. This is a leadership role for someone who wants to stay close to the action — not only setting direction and reviewing results, but actively engaging in key permitting, land and environmental matters alongside the team. It is a rare combination of regional leadership and hands-on environmental work.

Your Impact In This Role

We are seeking a pro-active and hands-on Director Sustainability to lead the sustainability activities across the Central Europe sub-region, covering Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, the Czech Republic, Poland and Ukraine, while also actively managing permitting and land files in the base country.

You will be responsible for securing and maintaining the legal and social licence to operate across the sub-region, obtaining permits and managing land-related matters in the base country, ensuring effective reporting on environmental and sustainability performance and contributing to the development and execution of Sibelco’s ESG strategy.

The Director Sustainability is part of the sub-regional leadership team and works closely with the global sustainability team. You will report to the Vice President Sustainability.

Your responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Lead the sustainability activities across the sub-region to ensure activities are performed according to Sibelco’s standards.
• Obtain environmental and mining permits, manage land, conduct environmental impact studies and engage with communities in the base country.
• Be the direct manager of the Sustainability Managers and Specialists in the sub-region.
• Identify, manage and monitor environmental and sustainability risks and opportunities in the operations in the sub-region and support them to improve their environmental compliance.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of global sustainability programs, projects, and key performance indicators (KPIs) across key focus areas, including GHG emissions, water stewardship, waste management, biodiversity and mine closure planning.
• Ensure accurate, timely and effective reporting.
• Act as a business partner towards the Sub-regional Vice President and the sub-regional leadership team.
• Be a proactive member of the global sustainability team.

What You Bring to the Table

• University degree in law, geology or engineering, or a similar field, or an equivalent combination of studies and experience.
• Minimum 7 years of work experience in environmental management, sustainability or a similar field.
• Experience working with authorities, regulators, communities and NGOs.
• Comprehensive knowledge of environmental legislation and its practical application in an industrial environment.
• A pragmatic, hands-on approach, with strong communication skills and strong environmental expertise.
• Strong business acumen and the ability to translate complex environmental matters into clear, concise messages for senior leadership, while maintaining a broad practical understanding of environmental management, permitting and stakeholder engagement.
• Native Dutch and fluent English. Other languages are an asset.

About the Role

This role combines leadership responsibility with hands-on environmental involvement.

You will manage sustainability professionals across the sub-region while remaining directly involved in key environmental and permitting matters in the base country. As part of the Sub-regional Leadership Team, you will work closely with Operations and other key functions, combining environmental expertise with a strong understanding of the wider business.

With Sibelco’s long-term approach, you will have the opportunity to influence areas such as land acquisition, quarry development, permitting, environmental performance and stakeholder relationships.

The role offers significant autonomy, ownership and senior-level exposure, while being part of an international sustainability team.

Employee Type:

Why Join Us?

Sibelco is more than a workplace—it’s a community that encourages growth, innovation, and collaboration. Here’s what you can look forward to when you join our team:

• Meet Our People: Careers

• Learn About Our Recruitment Process: Learn More

• Discover Our Sustainability Goals: Sibelco priorities

We also welcome applications from all backgrounds and are committed to providing reasonable adjustments to support you through the selection process.

How to Apply

Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter/X and Facebook to learn more about life at Sibelco. Submit your application in the Apply option.

Please note: We do not require agency services as we have a dedicated Global Talent Acquisition Team.