Job description
Allen & York is delighted to be once again working with one of the top 30 universities in London as they look to recruit a Head of Environmental Sustainability to sit within the Property Services Department and manage an Environmental Sustainability Officer to promote, develop and embed sustainability across the university. With a substantial amount of money having been invested in sustainability already, it's clear that it's viewed as critical to the future of the university and their desire to lead the way in comparison to other institutions. This is an incredibly diverse role, stretching from waste management to sustainable travel to energy management and food sustainability so you'll ideally have a broad experience of having worked in the private sector, covering a range of sustainability issues, which will enable you to efficiently and effectively pick up from the current incumbent and drive forward initiatives.
As you'll be the Head of a small team, you will require previous experience of having managed a junior officer and you'll be used to working autonomously and independently, making decisions and using your initiative to establish and build relationships with various stakeholders and groups. You'll be familiar and comfortable engaging with the Board and explaining sustainability to them in a way that they will understand and be able to demonstrate the financial benefits of sustainability, be this via a written business case or verbally.
The university has achieved ISO 14001 accreditation so you'll work with the Environmental Sustainability Officer to empower and upskill him to manage this moving forward and scoping out any other relevant accreditations that you feel the university should hold, to concrete its position as one of the forward-thinking universities in relation to sustainability.
One of the first main tasks when you join the business is to redesign the Net Zero Carbon Plan, having recently completed a carbon baseline but your role will cover all elements of sustainability. In addition to your broad technical skills, you will also require a comprehensive range of transferable skills, including the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, organise your time, have excellent stakeholder engagement skills and be able to engage with, inform, educate and influence professionals at various levels.
Another important element of the role is the ability to secure grant funding and take a lead in making applications for these, and to be able to develop partnerships with both Academics and Professional Services. You will have experience of having provided training in sustainability issues previously as you will be required to work with Department Heads and individuals to educate and inform them so that they can act as ambassadors for you when you're focused on other areas and take ownership of their sustainability projects.
Based in West London, you will be required to spend time on both the main campus and the other site (just a short, free shuttle bus ride away!) and, given the stakeholder engagement element is very strong, you will need to be on site for the majority of your time, especially initially but there will be an opportunity to work remotely two days a week depending on the requirements of the role and your line manager's discretion.
With a strong Learning & Development budget in place and a competitive salary and benefits package, this is an excellent opportunity for someone who is passionate about sustainability, wants to work for a forward thinking and progressive university and one whose Board is committed to sustainability. So, to find out more about the role, please email your CV to kpereira@allen-york.com.
About us: Allen & York have been matching purposeful people with purpose-led organisations for 30 years. We partner with our clients and candidates on roles that build an understanding of climate change, promote sustainability and create inclusive and responsible organisations, working towards a sustainable world for us all. Committed to inclusiveness in the workplace, we aim to increase diversity across all areas and therefore welcome applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their ethnicity, race, gender, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, age, or whether or not they have a disability. Let's help build a better world, together.
