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Senior Sustainability Manager, Natural Environment

RSSB • United Kingdom • Added on Nov 5, 2026
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This senior role will shape and deliver RSSB’s rail-sector work on climate adaptation and the circular economy. The postholder will turn the Sustainable Rail Blueprint’s aims into practical programmes, technical projects and guidance, while connecting those priorities with the wider natural-environment agenda.

The work addresses how Britain’s railway can prepare for climate impacts and use resources more circularly. By working across rail organisations and with government, the role can help bring climate considerations into asset standards, risk assessments and industry policy, while building shared understanding of waste, resilience and environmental priorities.

This suits an experienced sustainability or environmental specialist with expertise in climate adaptation, project delivery and stakeholder collaboration, plus working knowledge of circular economy and waste management. It will appeal to someone who can translate technical evidence into useful guidance and build credibility across a complex industry.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The role leads RSSB’s climate adaptation and circular economy workstreams within the Sustainable Rail Blueprint. This includes shaping programmes and technical project specifications, overseeing delivery and supplier outputs, and advising on policy, guidance and research. It also convenes the relevant industry working groups, plans the annual Rail Natural Environment Day and serves as a technical contact for members. The wider aim is to connect these workstreams with the natural-environment agenda and strengthen how climate risks are considered across rail standards and guidance.

Key learning opportunities for this job

The post offers practical exposure to how climate adaptation is incorporated into infrastructure standards, risk assessment and industry guidance. The successful candidate could deepen expertise in rail resilience, circular economy and waste management while learning how policy and research translate into sector-wide practice. Working with rail members, government departments and technical suppliers may also build experience in cross-industry programme leadership, project evaluation and technical communication. The posting mentions learning and development opportunities, but does not specify particular courses or certifications.

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

The role calls for an experienced sustainability or environmental professional with a relevant degree, ISEP Practitioner status or equivalent experience. Strong subject knowledge in climate adaptation and resilience is central, preferably in transport or infrastructure, alongside working knowledge of circular economy and waste management. Evidence of delivering environmental projects and programmes, and understanding relevant policy and legislation, would be important. The candidate should be able to assess technical work, communicate clearly to varied audiences, manage relationships with suppliers and industry members, and make informed decisions where priorities or evidence are uncertain.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

Use your application to connect specific examples of climate adaptation work with infrastructure or transport outcomes. Explain your role in setting project direction, reviewing technical deliverables and translating findings into standards, policy or usable guidance. Include a concrete circular economy or waste-management example, even if it was a smaller part of a broader programme. For interview preparation, be ready to discuss how you would bring climate considerations into asset standards and risk assessment, and how you would build agreement among rail organisations with differing needs.

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

The clearest focus is climate adaptation and resilience across the rail system, alongside circular economy and waste management. The role could support the integration of changing climate considerations into asset standards, risk assessment and industry guidance, helping the sector prepare for future impacts. RSSB’s Sustainable Rail Blueprint provides the programme context. The description also expects the postholder to maintain links with biodiversity, nature, water and wider environmental sustainability, so the remit is broader than the two principal workstreams.

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

A likely challenge is translating climate science and environmental policy into technical guidance that works across different rail assets, organisations and operating contexts. Project proposals and supplier outputs will also need careful technical review, with delivery and quality managed against agreed objectives. The postholder will need to build consensus across member organisations and government while keeping climate adaptation and circular economy work connected to the wider Blueprint. Priorities and evidence may shift, requiring clear decisions and communication without overstating certainty.

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

A day could combine reviewing a project proposal or supplier deliverable with planning a climate adaptation or circular economy working-group meeting. The role may also involve discussing technical questions with the Natural Environment Principal and colleagues across Sustainable Development. Other work could include drafting guidance, analysing evidence, responding to member queries or speaking with government and rail stakeholders about policy. Time will also be needed to coordinate communications and plan shared events such as Rail Natural Environment Day, with the balance varying across project stages.

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

The role could build a strong specialism in climate resilience for rail, including how adaptation becomes part of asset standards and risk assessment. Leading programmes and technical projects would also develop experience in sector-wide delivery, policy work and circular economy practice. Regular contact with rail members, government and suppliers may give the postholder broader influence and visibility across the industry. Possible future development could include wider sustainable development leadership or deeper technical expertise, though the posting does not describe a formal promotion pathway.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

Key internal partners include the Natural Environment Principal and colleagues in RSSB’s Sustainable Development Team. The role also works with chairs and members of the climate adaptation and circular economy industry working groups. External contacts may include rail organisations, appointed technical suppliers and government departments such as the Department for Transport. These relationships involve agreeing priorities, reviewing technical work, exchanging evidence and developing guidance or policy that can serve the wider railway.

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