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Decarbonisation and Sustainability Project Manager

Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea • United Kingdom • Added on Aug 26, 2026
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This role takes full ownership of major decarbonisation initiatives within a specific neighborhood, transforming social housing into a carbon-neutral model by 2030. You will bridge the gap between technical engineering and community needs, overseeing the transition from gas heating to sustainable alternatives like the Notting Dale Heat Network. Your daily focus involves rigorous project management, managing budgets and timelines, and securing external funding to keep net-zero ambitions on track.

Working here offers a rare chance to deliver social justice through environmental action. By retrofitting existing estates, you directly improve the quality of life for residents, providing warmer, more efficient homes while drastically reducing the borough’s carbon footprint. It is a high-visibility project that serves as a national exemplar for neighborhood-level sustainability.

This suits someone who is a skilled project manager with a strong analytical mindset and a genuine passion for resident-led design. You should be comfortable navigating complex technical data while maintaining the communication skills needed to engage effectively with a diverse urban community.

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What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

You will be responsible for the end-to-end delivery of decarbonisation projects on the Lancaster West Estate, specifically focusing on reaching carbon-neutral status by 2030. This includes managing the transition of homes off the gas grid and supporting the delivery of the Notting Dale Heat Network. Beyond technical delivery, you must manage complex budgets, develop robust business cases, and maintain governance through detailed risk logs and performance dashboards. A significant part of the role involves resident co-design, ensuring that sustainability upgrades are shaped by and for the local community.

Key learning opportunities for this job

This position offers deep exposure to the practicalities of large-scale urban retrofitting and the implementation of district heating systems. You will gain hands-on experience in navigating the complexities of public sector funding and grant management, which are critical skills in the growing green economy. Additionally, you will refine your expertise in smart technology and data analytics for carbon tracking. The focus on resident co-design provides a unique opportunity to learn how to bridge the gap between technical sustainability goals and social impact outcomes.

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

The ideal candidate holds a degree and a recognized project management qualification such as PRINCE2 or Agile. You should have a proven track record of managing high-value, complex projects to completion, ideally within the built environment or energy sectors. You must be highly analytical and capable of translating complex datasets into clear visual dashboards. Soft skills are equally vital; you need to be an empathetic communicator who can facilitate workshops and engage with a diverse range of residents and stakeholders.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

Focus your application on your ability to deliver tangible outcomes in complex environments. Rather than just listing tasks, demonstrate how you have used data to inform strategic choices and how you have managed technical projects without losing sight of the end-user. Since this role is heavily embedded in the Lancaster West Neighbourhood, showing an understanding of the local context and a sincere commitment to community-led development will distinguish you from candidates who only focus on the technical engineering aspects.

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

The role is primarily focused on scope 1 and 2 emissions reduction through the decarbonization of heat and the improvement of energy efficiency in social housing. It represents a direct intersection between environmental targets and social equity. You will also focus on data-driven sustainability, using technology to track actual carbon reductions. The project serves as a pilot for wider borough-level climate strategies, making your work a cornerstone of the Council's broader net-zero commitments.

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

One of the primary hurdles will be the technical complexity of retrofitting an active, densely populated neighborhood while minimizing disruption to residents. Balancing ambitious 2030 deadlines with the realities of construction and engineering delays is a constant pressure. Furthermore, securing and managing external funding streams can be volatile. You will need to be resilient and adaptable when navigating changing government policies or financial constraints while maintaining the trust of the local community.

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

A typical day might begin with a site visit to the estate to meet with contractors and technical partners, followed by a session analyzing energy performance data to update project dashboards. You might spend the afternoon drafting a business case for a new funding bid. Interactions are frequent and varied; you might move from a high-level governance meeting with Council directors to a facilitated workshop where you explain technical retrofit plans to a group of residents, ensuring their feedback is integrated into the project plan.

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

Given the national profile of the Lancaster West decarbonization program, this role offers high visibility within the public sector and the wider sustainability industry. Success here could lead to senior strategic leadership roles in climate action or urban regeneration. The Council invests in professional development, providing pathways for you to specialize further in energy systems, sustainable finance, or community engagement, making you a highly competitive professional in the net-zero transition.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

Your primary internal stakeholders include the Lancaster West Neighbourhood Team and the Council's housing and environment directorates. You will work closely with engineers, architects, and external contractors to drive technical delivery. External stakeholders include government funding bodies and, most importantly, the residents of the borough. Building strong, transparent relationships with these community members is essential for the success of the co-design model.

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