Q: What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

You will take ownership of the organization’s Sustainability and Decarbonization Strategies , ensuring they align with both corporate goals and national regulatory requirements. This involves leading a high-performing team to deliver complex energy efficiency programs, including fabric-first retrofits and low-carbon heating installations. Beyond strategy, you will be responsible for the technical integrity of the housing stock’s environmental performance . This includes using SAP and EPC data to model investment options and secure external funding, such as the Social Housing Decarbonization Fund, to make these large-scale projects financially viable. Finally, you will act as a central hub for sustainability knowledge across the business. You will advise various departments—from procurement to development—on best practices to ensure that environmental responsibility is embedded into every repair, new build, and operational decision.

Q: How does the ideal candidate look like (experience, skills)?

The successful candidate should have a solid foundation in environmental management or building services , likely backed by a degree or equivalent professional experience. A working knowledge of domestic energy performance indicators like SAP and EPCs is essential for success in this role. We are looking for someone with proven leadership skills who can motivate a team and manage external contractors effectively. You must be able to translate technical jargon into clear, persuasive reports for senior leaders while remaining commercially aware of budget constraints and grant requirements. Soft skills are equally important; you need to be resident-focused and empathetic. Understanding how building performance affects a tenant's daily life and financial health is what differentiates a technical manager from a mission-driven leader in this field.

Q: What aspects of the company's sustainability is this role likely to focus on?

The primary focus of this role is environmental decarbonization through the lens of social impact. You will lead efforts to reach Net Zero by 2050, focusing specifically on the 'fabric-first' approach to building insulation and the transition to renewable energy sources. Social sustainability is equally prominent. You will work to alleviate fuel poverty , ensuring that green transitions do not place an undue financial burden on residents but instead result in warmer, healthier, and more affordable living environments. Additionally, you will oversee environmental governance across the supply chain. This means working with procurement to ensure that contractors and materials meet strict sustainability criteria, effectively reducing the scope 3 emissions associated with property maintenance and construction.

Q: What are the main challenges someone in this role might face?

One of the largest hurdles will be navigating the funding landscape . Securing and managing grants like the Warm Homes Social Housing Fund involves strict deadlines and complex compliance requirements that can be difficult to manage alongside daily operations. You may also face the challenge of resident engagement . Retrofitting homes is intrusive, and persuading tenants of the long-term benefits of new technologies like heat pumps—which may require different usage habits—requires patience and clear communication. Lastly, balancing strategic ambition with financial reality is a constant tension. You will need to make tough decisions on where to prioritize investment when stock condition data reveals widespread needs across a diverse and aging property portfolio.

Q: How could a typical day look like for someone in this position?

Your morning might start with a data review , analyzing stock condition reports to identify which housing schemes should be prioritized for the next round of fabric improvements or solar installations. By midday, you could be in a cross-departmental meeting with the Procurement and Finance teams, discussing a bid for government funding or reviewing the environmental performance of a new contractor. Collaboration is key to ensuring sustainability isn't siloed. In the afternoon, you might visit a retrofit site to check on progress or meet with a resident group to explain upcoming energy-saving works. Your day will likely end with strategic planning, perhaps drafting a briefing for the executive team on how changing national policy will impact the group’s long-term investment plan.

Q: The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

Internally, you will work closely with the Asset Management and Development teams to ensure that every home is built or maintained to high environmental standards. You will also report frequently to senior leaders to provide progress updates on decarbonization targets. Externally, you will interact with contractors and technical consultants who execute the retrofit works. Ensuring they adhere to PAS 2035 standards and deliver quality results is a vital part of your contract management responsibilities. Most importantly, you will engage with residents and local communities . Their feedback and cooperation are essential for the success of any sustainability initiative, making them the most significant stakeholders in your day-to-day mission.

Question 1

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

Accepted Answer

You will take ownership of the organization’s Sustainability and Decarbonization Strategies, ensuring they align with both corporate goals and national regulatory requirements. This involves leading a high-performing team to deliver complex energy efficiency programs, including fabric-first retrofits and low-carbon heating installations. Beyond strategy, you will be responsible for the technical integrity of the housing stock’s environmental performance. This includes using SAP and EPC data to model investment options and secure external funding, such as the Social Housing Decarbonization Fund, to make these large-scale projects financially viable. Finally, you will act as a central hub for sustainability knowledge across the business. You will advise various departments—from procurement to development—on best practices to ensure that environmental responsibility is embedded into every repair, new build, and operational decision.

Question 2

Key learning opportunities for this job

Accepted Answer

This role offers significant exposure to the evolving landscape of domestic retrofit standards, particularly PAS 2035. You will gain hands-on experience in managing complex government-funded projects that require rigorous compliance and reporting, providing you with a deep understanding of the financial and regulatory side of green housing. You will also have the opportunity to master sophisticated energy profiling software and asset management tools. Navigating the nuances of RdSAP and whole-life cost modeling in a real-world setting will sharpen your technical analytical skills significantly beyond theoretical ESG reporting. Furthermore, Great Places supports professional development by funding a membership for a relevant professional body (such as IEMA or CIH). This encourages you to stay at the forefront of sustainability policy and technology, facilitating long-term career expertise in the social housing sector.

Question 3

How does the ideal candidate look like (experience, skills)?

Accepted Answer

The successful candidate should have a solid foundation in environmental management or building services, likely backed by a degree or equivalent professional experience. A working knowledge of domestic energy performance indicators like SAP and EPCs is essential for success in this role. We are looking for someone with proven leadership skills who can motivate a team and manage external contractors effectively. You must be able to translate technical jargon into clear, persuasive reports for senior leaders while remaining commercially aware of budget constraints and grant requirements. Soft skills are equally important; you need to be resident-focused and empathetic. Understanding how building performance affects a tenant's daily life and financial health is what differentiates a technical manager from a mission-driven leader in this field.

Question 4

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

Accepted Answer

To stand out, your application should demonstrate a clear understanding of the social housing landscape. Rather than focusing solely on corporate carbon footprints, highlight your experience with building fabric, heating technologies, and the specific challenges of retrofitting occupied homes. Quantify your impact in previous roles. If you have successfully secured external funding or managed a project that significantly improved EPC ratings, lead with those achievements. Show that you can balance long-term strategic thinking with the practicalities of project delivery and budget management. Finally, align your personal values with the company’s mission. Great Places is a force for good; showing that you genuinely care about social impact and resident wellbeing will be just as important as your technical credentials during the interview process.

Question 5

What aspects of the company's sustainability is this role likely to focus on?

Accepted Answer

The primary focus of this role is environmental decarbonization through the lens of social impact. You will lead efforts to reach Net Zero by 2050, focusing specifically on the 'fabric-first' approach to building insulation and the transition to renewable energy sources. Social sustainability is equally prominent. You will work to alleviate fuel poverty, ensuring that green transitions do not place an undue financial burden on residents but instead result in warmer, healthier, and more affordable living environments. Additionally, you will oversee environmental governance across the supply chain. This means working with procurement to ensure that contractors and materials meet strict sustainability criteria, effectively reducing the scope 3 emissions associated with property maintenance and construction.

Question 6

What are the main challenges someone in this role might face?

Accepted Answer

One of the largest hurdles will be navigating the funding landscape. Securing and managing grants like the Warm Homes Social Housing Fund involves strict deadlines and complex compliance requirements that can be difficult to manage alongside daily operations. You may also face the challenge of resident engagement. Retrofitting homes is intrusive, and persuading tenants of the long-term benefits of new technologies like heat pumps—which may require different usage habits—requires patience and clear communication. Lastly, balancing strategic ambition with financial reality is a constant tension. You will need to make tough decisions on where to prioritize investment when stock condition data reveals widespread needs across a diverse and aging property portfolio.

Question 7

How could a typical day look like for someone in this position?

Accepted Answer

Your morning might start with a data review, analyzing stock condition reports to identify which housing schemes should be prioritized for the next round of fabric improvements or solar installations. By midday, you could be in a cross-departmental meeting with the Procurement and Finance teams, discussing a bid for government funding or reviewing the environmental performance of a new contractor. Collaboration is key to ensuring sustainability isn't siloed. In the afternoon, you might visit a retrofit site to check on progress or meet with a resident group to explain upcoming energy-saving works. Your day will likely end with strategic planning, perhaps drafting a briefing for the executive team on how changing national policy will impact the group’s long-term investment plan.

Question 8

What are the opportunities for professional growth and development in this role?

Accepted Answer

There is substantial room for growth as the social housing sector undergoes a green revolution. Leading the sustainability agenda for a large housing group puts you in a high-visibility position, potentially leading to future executive roles in Asset Management or Operations. You will have the chance to lead innovative pilot projects involving emerging technologies, which can establish you as a thought leader in the sector. Successfully delivering these programs often leads to speaking opportunities at national housing and sustainability conferences. The role also encourages lateral skill development. By working closely with finance, development, and community services, you will build a holistic business acumen that is highly transferable to senior leadership positions within the non-profit or public sectors.

Question 9

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

Accepted Answer

Internally, you will work closely with the Asset Management and Development teams to ensure that every home is built or maintained to high environmental standards. You will also report frequently to senior leaders to provide progress updates on decarbonization targets. Externally, you will interact with contractors and technical consultants who execute the retrofit works. Ensuring they adhere to PAS 2035 standards and deliver quality results is a vital part of your contract management responsibilities. Most importantly, you will engage with residents and local communities. Their feedback and cooperation are essential for the success of any sustainability initiative, making them the most significant stakeholders in your day-to-day mission.

Sustainability Manager

FAQ de l’offre

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

Key learning opportunities for this job

How does the ideal candidate look like (experience, skills)?

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

What aspects of the company's sustainability is this role likely to focus on?

What are the main challenges someone in this role might face?

How could a typical day look like for someone in this position?

What are the opportunities for professional growth and development in this role?

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

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