Overview
The Sustainability specialist will be a key hands-on role, helping to shape and embed a culture of sustainability working alongside colleagues to drive forward our sustainability agenda. This will involve supporting the organisation’s commitment to environmental responsibility, carbon reduction, energy efficiency, and social value ensuring compliance with legislation and improving performance. Working within the Estates Team, the postholder will work with managers and local service champions helping them to set up sustainability initiatives across the Foundation’s sites, as they engage staff, students, and stakeholders in sustainable practices.
Key duties will include identifying and responding to emerging environmental risks, supporting the development of long term de-carbonisation pathways, helping to ensure sustainable ways of tracking and disposing of equipment used by front-line teams, ensuring sustainability considerations are integrated into strategic and operational decision making. The role will contribute expert insight to projects, policies, and organisational planning, helping to future proof the Foundation’s estates, improve resilience, and enhance environmental performance.
The postholder will work closely with the Foundation’s Health, Safety and Environment manager in setting the annual sustainability plan. The Sustainability Coordinator will act as a key liaison between internal teams, external partners, and regulatory bodies – promoting best practice, strengthening collaboration, and ensuring the Foundation remains aligned with current and future sustainability standards. The postholder will champion continuous improvement, support innovation, and help deliver meaningful social value outcomes that reflect the Foundation’s mission, values, and commitment to inclusive practice.
Person Specification
Essential:
- Experience working in sustainability, environmental management, estates, facilities, or a related field.
- Knowledge of sustainability principles, carbon management, waste reduction, and energy efficiency.
- Strong analytical, administration and co-ordination skills with the ability to interpret environmental data.
- Commitment to inclusion, equality, and person-centred values.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to engage and influence colleagues at all levels.
- Organised, proactive, and able to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- Proactive, flexible, and solutions-focused approach.
- Strong collaborative mindset.
Desirable:
- Experience in the education, charity, or health & social care sectors.
- Familiarity with ISO 14001, ESOS, SECR, or other environmental standards.
- Experience supporting sustainability elements of capital or refurbishment projects.
- Knowledge of accessibility, inclusion, and social value within a sustainability context.
Additional information:
- Full UK driving licence preferred.
- The role may require occasional evening or weekend working.
- Travel across Foundation sites will be required.
- Occasional attendance at events, sustainability forums, or out-of-hours activities may be required.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants should be aware that the post will only be offered to successful candidates subject to an Enhanced DBS and barring checks as well as other employment clearances such as referencing in line with our regulator’s legislation requirements.
If you would like an informal discussion regarding the role, please contact Ashley Tilmouth, Head of Estates and Facilities, by emailing ashley.tilmouth@percyhedley.org.uk
