Environmental Sustainability Lead

UK Space Agency; North East; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A government agency for space initiatives seeks a Sustainability Manager to lead the delivery of their Sustainability Strategy. Responsibilities include sustainability reporting, performance assessments, and compliance with government commitments. The ideal candidate will have strong experience in sustainability management and strategy creation. This role is pivotal in guiding efforts to reduce the agency's carbon footprint aligned with Net Zero commitments.

Benefits

Flexible working benefits

Employee well-being support

Excellent pension

Qualifications

• Strong experience in developing and leading sustainability strategies.
• Familiarity with Treasury Sustainability Reporting Guidance.
• Ability to analyze sustainability data and report findings.

Responsibilities

• Develop and monitor the UK Space Agency Sustainability Strategy.
• Ensure compliance with environmental reporting guidance.
• Champion sustainability practices in decision-making.

Skills

Sustainability Management

Strategy Creation

Program Management

Risk Assessment

Data Analysis

Job description

We offer first-class flexible working benefits, excellent employee well-being support, and a great pension. We are proud to be a Disability Confident Leader employer and support talented people from all backgrounds to build a career and thrive. We actively welcome applications from anyone committed to inclusion.

Working with colleagues across the UK Space Agency and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), including Finance, People, and Corporate Operations, you will be responsible for developing and leading the delivery of the UK Space Agency Sustainability Strategy. Your duties will include internal and external sustainability reporting, performance and risk assessments, and responding to relevant departmental and external audits and requests such as Freedom of Information and Prime Minister's Questions.

You will ensure compliance with Treasury Sustainability Reporting Guidance, including the Taskforce on Climate-related Financial Disclosures and Government Greening Commitments. This role suits someone with strong experience in Sustainability Management, strategy creation, and program management, seeking to operate in a dynamic and diverse organization. It is pivotal in guiding the UK Space Agency's efforts to reduce its carbon footprint in line with government Net Zero commitments.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Lead the development, delivery, and monitoring of the UK Space Agency Sustainability Strategy, including achieving Greening Government Commitments (GGCs).
2. Provide high-quality reports to senior leaders and Decision Boards on environmental and sustainability performance.
3. Identify and model climate change-related risks, working with Finance, and ensure compliance with reporting guidance, including TCFD.
4. Champion sustainability in property decision-making and estate strategy development.
5. Implement best practices in Corporate Technology/Digital sustainability for environmental and social value.
6. Represent the UK Space Agency in collaborations with other government departments to share sustainability best practices.
7. Partner with the Government Property Agency to set KPIs and analyze sustainability data for reporting.
8. Embed behavior change, improve biodiversity, and drive the reduction of carbon and heat emissions across estates.
9. Review the value chain and promote high environmental standards among suppliers and contractors.
10. Reduce waste across utilities, air travel, paper, and landfilling.

You will support policy development, reporting, analysis, and estates reviews within the Launch, In Orbit Servicing and Manufacturing (ISAM), and Sustainability Directorate, reporting to the Head of ISAM and Sustainability. Your role is critical in shaping long-term sustainability strategies and influencing organizational decision-making.

Note: The UK Space Agency is a Disability Confident employer, offering interviews to applicants with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria. For more details, please refer to our policies.

The UK Space Agency (UKSA), an executive agency of DSIT, provides advice on space strategy, supports the UK space sector, and promotes national and international space initiatives. Our work underpins critical sectors and global challenges, including climate change, and fosters innovation and international collaboration in space science and technology.