Head of Sustainability

VanRath; Belfast; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A government organization in Belfast is seeking a Head of Sustainability to lead the development of sustainability strategies and manage ESG initiatives. The role requires extensive experience in sustainability management and strong leadership skills. Applicants should possess a relevant Bachelor's or Master's degree and professional accreditations, with a track record of innovative solutions in complex environments. This position offers a fully negotiable salary and attractive benefits.

Benefits

Fantastic benefits and incentives

Qualifications

• 7-10 years experience in sustainability management or ESG strategy.
• Leadership experience in corporate or public sector settings.

Responsibilities

• Lead sustainability and climate management functions.
• Drive strategic sustainability and ESG direction.
• Oversee compliance with environmental and energy legislation.
• Manage sustainability integration across projects.
• Engage with stakeholders at all levels.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Compliance expertise

Data & reporting

Innovation

Education

Bachelor's degree in environmental science, sustainability, engineering, or related field

Master's in Sustainability or MBA with ESG focus

Technical accreditations such as BREEAM Assessor

Job description

Role Overview

A rare and high-level opportunity has arisen for a Head of Sustainability to join our Client's senior leadership team within a major government organisation. Operating across a large and complex estate, the successful candidate will play a pivotal role in shaping long-term sustainability strategy, carbon planning, environmental compliance and ESG performance. This is a strategically important position within a high-profile public body, working closely with internal stakeholders, senior government representatives, and wider external partners. Due to the sensitive nature of the organisation's work, the successful candidate will be required to undergo Counter-Terrorism Security Checks (CTC) prior to appointment.

Salary & Benefits

Fully Negotiable + Fantastic Benefits / Incentives

Key Responsibilities

As Head of Sustainability, you will have numerous responsibilities including:

• Leading a wide range of sustainability, climate and carbon management functions to support organisational objectives.
• Driving strategic-level sustainability and ESG direction for a major government estate.
• Overseeing compliance with environmental and energy legislation, and developing accredited management systems.
• Managing sustainability integration across asset management and project delivery.
• Engaging with senior leaders, internal stakeholders and external partners at all levels.
• Maintaining and developing sustainability data systems and overseeing the production of reporting and analysis.
• Identifying and managing sustainability-related risks across the organisation.
• Championing innovation and continuous improvement within the sustainability function.

Strategic Qualifications

• Strategic Leadership: Ability to drive the development and implementation of the Sustainability Strategy, Carbon Change Plan and Communication & Engagement Strategy.
• Alignment & Integration with Asset Management: Experience ensuring sustainability priorities are embedded across the full asset management process and successfully delivered through capital projects and operational teams.
• Compliance Expertise: Strong understanding of energy management, carbon, climate change and wider environmental legislation, including experience developing and implementing accredited management systems.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Proven experience engaging with internal teams, senior leadership, the Client team, and wider organisational stakeholders.
• Data & Reporting: Ability to oversee sustainability-related databases and systems (such as BEMS), manage sustainability risks and produce high-level reporting for compliance, audit and executive visibility.
• Innovation: A track record of developing innovative solutions to address sustainability risks and challenges within large, complex environments.

Education & Qualifications

• A suitable Level 6 qualification (Bachelor's degree) in environmental science, sustainability, engineering, energy or related field.
• A Level 7 qualification (e.g., Master's in Sustainability or MBA with ESG focus).
• Relevant technical accreditations such as BREEAM Assessor, Environmental Auditor, Energy Auditor.

Professional Membership

• Chartered professional membership of an appropriate body such as CIBSE, IEMA or RICS.

Experience

• 7-10 years experience in sustainability management, ESG strategy or related fields.
• Leadership experience within corporate, public sector, facilities management, estate management or energy-related settings.

Additional Information

For further information on this vacancy, or any job in Belfast or wider Northern Ireland, please apply via the link below or contact Jack Groves in the strictest confidence.