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Head of Sustainability

Royal Borough of Greenwich • United Kingdom • Added on Jul 23, 2026
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As the Head of Sustainability, you will take the reins of a newly strengthened division focused on translating high-level climate strategy into tangible local action. Your primary ownership involves driving the borough’s Carbon Neutral Plan, overseeing multi-million-pound decarbonization programs from heat networks to energy retrofits, and managing the associated budgets and procurement risks.

This position is a rare chance to operationalize net-zero targets at a massive scale within a uniquely diverse urban environment. By bridging the gap between policy and delivery, you will directly influence how sustainability is woven into the fabric of public services and infrastructure, ensuring that global climate goals result in measurable local impact for over a quarter of a million residents.

This suits someone who is a resilient senior leader with deep experience in managing complex, multidisciplinary teams and navigating the political nuances of large public-sector organizations or equivalent regulatory environments.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The Head of Sustainability is tasked with turning the Carbon Neutral Plan into reality. You will lead the development and implementation of large-scale decarbonization projects, including heat networks and energy efficiency retrofits. This involves end-to-end management from securing funding and procurement to monitoring long-term benefits realization. Beyond technical delivery, you will be responsible for coordinating activity across multiple directorates to ensure sustainability is embedded throughout the council's operations. You will provide evidence-based reporting to senior leaders and elected Members, ensuring that progress toward the 2030 net-zero target is transparent and accountable.

Key learning opportunities for this job

In this role, you will gain unparalleled experience in public sector climate leadership, specifically in how local government navigates the transition to a low-carbon economy. You will deepen your expertise in multidisciplinary project management, particularly regarding high-value energy infrastructure and sustainable regeneration. There is a significant opportunity to engage with national and regional policy-making, providing exposure to the evolution of UK environmental legislation and funding landscapes. You will also refine your ability to lead organizational change within a complex political environment, balancing diverse community needs with ambitious environmental targets.

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

The Council seeks a senior leader who combines strategic foresight with a delivery-focused mindset. You should have a proven track record of managing complex sustainability programs and multidisciplinary teams, ideally within a large public body or a similarly political organizational structure. Strong proficiency in financial management, including budget oversight and identifying external funding streams, is essential. You must be a confident communicator capable of influencing senior stakeholders and simplifying complex technical or legislative data for various audiences.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, move beyond generalist sustainability credentials and highlight specific examples of project delivery at scale. Detail your experience with procurement, risk management, and budget oversight for environmental initiatives, as these are critical to the Council's current phase of implementation. Since this is a political environment, emphasize your ability to work with diverse stakeholders, including elected officials and local community groups. Aligning your application with the specific goals of the Greenwich Carbon Neutral Plan will demonstrate that you have researched the local context and are ready to take immediate ownership.

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

The core focus of this role is the decarbonization of physical infrastructure and urban systems. You will likely spend a significant portion of your time on building energy efficiency, the transition to sustainable heat sources, and integrating carbon reduction into the borough's regeneration projects. Additionally, there is a strong emphasis on social equity within the green transition. Ensuring that sustainability initiatives benefit all residents and promote a 'fairer, greener future' means your work will intersect with themes of social justice, housing quality, and local economic resilience.

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

One of the primary challenges is balancing ambitious climate targets with financial constraints and competing political priorities. Navigating the complexities of public procurement and the volatility of external funding can also create hurdles for long-term project stability. Furthermore, driving cross-departmental collaboration in a large organization can be difficult. You will need to build immense buy-in from departments that may have different operational focuses, ensuring that sustainability remains a priority even when it requires significant changes to established workflows.

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

A typical day might involve reviewing progress on a multi-million-pound heat network project followed by a meeting with senior directors to discuss budget allocations from recent government grants. You might spend the afternoon drafting a policy briefing for the Cabinet or reviewing risk registers for upcoming energy retrofits. Interactions are frequent and varied, ranging from strategic planning sessions with consultants to attending community engagement events where you represent the Council’s climate ambitions. You will also dedicate time to mentoring your multidisciplinary team and ensuring various sustainability projects stay on track.

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

As a high-profile leadership position, this role offers significant visibility at both the regional and national levels. Successful delivery of the borough's net-zero targets could position you as a thought leader in urban sustainability and public sector transformation. You will have the opportunity to influence emerging policy and represent the Council in national forums. The experience of leading such a significant change program provides a strong foundation for future executive-level roles within sustainability, urban planning, or public administration.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will work closely with the Assistant Director of Transportation and Sustainability and report frequently to Council Members and the Cabinet. These political stakeholders are key to securing support and funding for major initiatives. External stakeholders include delivery partners, consultants, and regional bodies like the Greater London Authority. Within the borough, you will regularly engage with residents and community groups to ensure that sustainability projects are meeting the needs of those they are intended to serve.

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