Policy and Programme Lead Climate Change and Sustainability

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils; London; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading local government organization seeks a Policy and Programme Lead for Climate Change and Sustainability. This role involves implementing ambitious climate strategies, managing projects, and collaborating with both internal teams and external partners to drive impactful change. You will leverage your expertise in climate adaptation to enhance community resilience while ensuring alignment with organizational goals.

Benefits

40 days annual leave

Flexible working

Generous pension plan

Carbon Literacy Training

Qualifications

• In-depth understanding of climate change and sustainability.
• Experience delivering impactful climate change projects.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage delivery of climate action strategies and plans.
• Drive local climate policy and engage with residents.
• Monitor implementation of the climate action plans.

Skills

Understanding of climate change

Communication skills

Data usage for project delivery

Job description

Policy and Programme Lead Climate Change and Sustainability

About Us

Policy and Programme Lead (Climate Change and Sustainability)

One Year Fixed Term Contract,Secondment or External Secondment

Full time

Twickenham Civic Centre / Wandsworth Town Hall

Do you want to be at the forefront of tackling the climate emergency? Are you passionate about and experienced in delivering climate action?Are you motivated by delivering net zero and climate resilient places for half a million Londoners?

We are looking for a Policy and Programme Lead (Climate Change and Sustainability) to drive forward and implement our ambitious climate action strategies and plans.You will need a passion for climate change coupled with deep experience and knowledge of all the interlinking aspects of climate change, and the know-how to deliver impactful change in organisations. If you join us, you’ll be:

• Programme managing the delivery of our climate action strategies and plans
• Leading our work on Climate Adaptation and Resilience
• Driving and shaping local climate and environment policy
• Developing and leading innovative projects
• Working in partnership with key institutions, organisations and neighbouring boroughs
• Engaging directly with residents on our climate change plans

About the role

Knowing the latest climate and sustainability developments:You will need to be up to date and stay up to date on the latest policy and innovation happening across the climate change and sustainability landscape and bring that to the team and the organisation. You will be the organisation’s subject matter expert on climate adaptation and resilience.

Project and Programme planning and delivery:You will be monitoring delivery of actions across our climate action plans, as well as developing and delivering impactful projects that are set out in the action plans, maximising the impact in terms of carbon savings and co-benefits.

Working in partnership:You will be working across the organisation with teams that are delivering climate change and sustainability projects, with Elected Members, as well as working with our external partners who are taking action on climate change.

Working as a team:You will be part of team that works at pace, delivering a large range of work that is high priority for both councils and to tight timescales, but that is supportive and positive in its approach. You will also be managing one staff member.

Essential Qualifications, Skills and Experience

To be able to do this role you will need:

• An in-depth understanding of climate change and sustainability, in particular climate adaptation and resilience, and how this applies for local government
• Substantial experience in the delivery of high profile and impactful climate change or sustainability related projects and programmes
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships and work across an organisation with teams from different departments, and with external partners.
• Experience in using data to shape the development and delivery of projects and to track impact.
• Experience of managing a complex workload and responding flexibly to changing needs and priorities.

Closing Date:07/7/2025

Shortlisting Date: 9/7/2025

Interview Date: 16th & 17th July 2025

We may close this vacancy early once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Please submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone.We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions to the Councils and can improve the way we deliver services.

We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer. If you require any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment and selection process, please let us know.

We are also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.Some posts may be exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to these posts will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

We offer a wide range ofbenefits designed to attract, develop, and reward our employees such as 40 days annual leave (including Bank Holidays), flexible working and a generous pension plan.

We also offer Carbon Literacy Training for all staff, to ensure that everyone has the knowledge needed to be able to take action on climate change.