Operational Sustainability Lead

The role holder will provide strategic leadership on sustainability performance across the Department’s estate and wider organisation, ensuring environmental objectives are effectively embedded into operational activities. They will build strong relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, drive continuous improvement through data-led decision making, and identify opportunities to enhance sustainability outcomes. The postholder will also lead the delivery of environmental projects, provide expert advice and assurance, and support the Department in meeting its corporate sustainability and environmental commitments.

Your responsibilities will include, but aren’t limited to:

• Lead on sustainability management, improvement and reporting across DfT Group (including Arm’s Length Bodies); ensuring compliance with Greening Government Commitments reporting requirements.
• Lead on the development of the Sustainability section of the Annual Report and Accounts, including the TCFD return.
• Maintain, manage, review and renew the DfT Operational Sustainability Strategy and ensure appropriate policies, standards and targets are in place and communicated across the organisation and suppliers.
• Keep abreast of all industry trends, developments, and legislation on carbon, waste and the environment and represent DfT at the cross-Whitehall Sustainability Forum.
• Manage the sustainability data and reporting across DfT. Utilising existing data management contracts, identify improvements and manage any sustainability data requirements in renewed or relet contracts
• Encourage the use of renewable and sustainable energy resources across the portfolio, driving innovation and championing industry best practice. Particularly working with the Building Services team to improve the sustainability performance of the central Department.
• Ensure that all areas of property management are driving towards the reduction of environmental impact and supporting the government’s sustainability agenda and lead the production of the Annual Report and Accounts Sustainability. Report/Statement.
• Develop relationships with colleagues, suppliers, contractors and other Government Departments to share best practice, improve performance and achieve targets.

Great line management is important to us as an organisation, and we will equip and support line managers to develop the skills they need. We aim to empower line managers to create teams where people can flourish and deliver excellent outcomes for the public.

For further information on the role, please read the role profile. Please note that the role profile is for information purposes only – whilst all elements are relevant to the role, they may not all be assessed during the recruitment process. This job advert will detail exactly what will be assessed during the recruitment process.

You will be required to provide evidence that you hold any essential qualifications at some point during the recruitment process. If you cannot provide evidence, your application will be withdrawn.

To be successful in this role you will need to have the following experience:

• Significant professional expertise in management role/s leading on environmental issues in the real estate and FM/property industry and knowledge of complying with related regulatory frameworks
• Experience in government reporting, including experience with the Greening Government Commitments reporting
• Experience of working with government departments to co-develop policy/reporting documentation
• Experience of understanding environmental options and how to apply them to a multi-sited and multi-stakeholder organisation.
• Experience of managing complex and innovative projects from start to finish and associated contract management. Influential and able to lead key senior stakeholders, colleagues and customers towards commercial solutions that give a balance of optimal performance and environmentally sustainable solutions that support the business strategy
• Willingness to work toward attaining Chartered Environmentalist status (through ISEP, CIOB, CIWM, CABE or other property, infrastructure or building services body) or holds Core Accreditation at Chartered, Certified or Fellow grade in (RICS, IWFM, CIOB, CEng, CEnv, RTPI, RIBA)
• In addition, to hold or agree to work towards the appropriate level of contract management certification

Additional Information

You will be required to undertake the Foundation e-learning module of the Contract Management Capability programme once in role, unless this accreditation is already held.

Working hours, office attendance and travel requirements

Full time roles consist of 37 hours per week.

Whilst we welcome applications from those looking to work with us on a part time basis, there is a business requirement for the successful candidate to be able to work at least 30 hours per week.

This role is suitable for hybrid working, which is a non-contractual arrangement where a combination of workplace and home-based working can be accommodated subject to business requirements.

The expectation at present is a minimum of 60% of your working time a month will be spent at either your designated workplace (one of the locations cited in the advert) or, when required for business reasons, in another office/work location/visiting stakeholders. Your designated workplace will be your contractual place of work. There may be occasions where you are required to attend above the minimum expectation.

Frequent travel to other offices will be required, which may involve overnight stays.

If you have a question about hybrid working, part time/job share hours, flexible working, travelling for work, or require a reasonable adjustment, please contact the Vacancy Holder during the recruitment process to avoid possible disappointment later in the process should your working arrangements not be compatible with the requirements of the role (see below for contact details).

Visa Sponsorship

DfTc does not offer Visa Sponsorship for this role.

At a minimum to hold the Institute of Sustainability and Environmental
Professionals (ISEP) Certificate and the APM Project Management Qualification or equivalents.

We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Changing and Improving
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together

Alongside your salary of £57,515, Department for Transport contributes £16,662 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

Being part of our brilliant Civil Service means you will have access to a wide range of fantastic benefits:

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave).
• 8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King’s birthday.
• Access to the staff discount portal.
• Excellent career development opportunities and the potential to undertake professional qualifications relevant to your role paid for by the department, such as CIPD, Prince2, apprenticeships, etc.
• Joining a diverse and inclusive workforce with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues.
• 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme providing free confidential help and advice for staff.
• Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.
• DfT prioritises investing in our project delivery professionals, because successful projects begin with skilled people. We offer funding for industry recognised qualifications e.g. APM PMQ, PRINCE2, and MSP, alongside leadership programmes. You will have access to targeted technical training, support for project delivery accreditation, and potential funding toward Chartered Project Professional (ChPP). From day one, mentoring, coaching, and the Government Online Skills Tool (GOST) are available to support your learning and development throughout your career in DfT.

Find out more about the benefits of working at DfT and its agencies (opens in a new window).

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Job contact :

• Name: Gavin Buss
• Email: gavin.buss@dft.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email: dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk