Principal Climate Change Officer

Buckinghamshire Council; Aylesbury; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A local council authority in the UK is seeking a Principal Climate Change Officer to lead projects for a low carbon energy system. You will manage a £3m grant, collaborate with government departments, and ensure proper delivery of energy efficiency strategies. The ideal candidate will have significant experience in building decarbonisation and strong project management skills. This role is fixed-term until March 2028, with hybrid working options.

Benefits

Flexible working

Discounts

Pension schemes

Gym memberships

Qualifications

• Substantial experience in building decarbonisation with project examples.
• Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills.
• Strong planning and organizational abilities.

Responsibilities

• Manage the Warm Homes: Local Grant project and budget.
• Collaborate with the Dept. for Energy Security & Net Zero.
• Lead projects to enable a low carbon energy system.

Skills

Building decarbonisation

Sustainable energy technologies

Project management

Stakeholder influence

Contract management

Analytical skills

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Are you passionate about tackling climate change and improving lives? Join us at Buckinghamshire Council as we deliver ambitious, real-world solutions to reduce emissions, cut energy bills, and support our most vulnerable residents. This is an exciting time to join our Climate Response Team as we continue our mission to address the challenge of climate change.

By working with us, you will be an integral part of delivering our Climate Change & Air Quality Strategy. This role will take the lead in managing the Warm Homes: Local Grant, for which we have received over £3m in grant funding from the government. Over the next two and a half years, you will oversee our managing agent as they deliver energy efficiency and low carbon heating upgrades to low-income homes across the county. This will help to reduce energy bills, decrease carbon emissions, and improve living standards in the treated households. In doing so, you will play a key part in our journey toward a net zero future in Buckinghamshire.

The successful candidate will: manage the contract with our managing agent; work with the Dept. for Energy Security & Net Zero to fulfill all reporting requirements for the project; collaborate with the RISE support service to enable successful delivery; carry out project management activities including reporting to the project board; manage the £3m budget with robust financial oversight; and ensure that data is handled appropriately.

This is an opportunity to make a difference, gain experience in delivering a large-scale retrofit project, and contribute to our mission to deliver a local response to the global climate change challenge. If you are excited by this position and believe you could play a key role in realizing our ambitions, we would love to hear from you!

About us

Buckinghamshire Council is a relatively new organization that combines the strengths and expertise of the previous five councils in the county to create positive change for local people, communities, and businesses. We are committed to serving residents better and providing stronger representation for Buckinghamshire, both locally and nationally.

The Council’s Climate Change and Air Quality Strategy, adopted in 2021, includes 60 actions to mitigate and adapt to climate change in Buckinghamshire. The Principal Climate Change Officer will lead projects to enable the planning and delivery of infrastructure needed to support the transition to a low carbon energy system. They will collaborate with colleagues from planning policy to develop a new Bucks-wide local plan focused on sustainability and will lead projects with the GSE Net Zero Hub delivering funding for retrofitting energy-inefficient homes.

About the role

The Principal Climate Change Officer will lead projects supporting infrastructure development for a low carbon energy system, working with planning policy to develop a sustainable local plan, and managing funding initiatives with the GSE Net Zero Hub.

This role is based on a fixed-term contract until 31st March 2028.

As an ‘any-desk’ worker, you’ll need to be connected to our network to access digital resources, which can be from home or an office when required. You will be expected to work from the office a few times a week, depending on team needs.

About you

• Substantial experience (ideally 5 years) in building decarbonisation, especially domestic property sustainable energy projects; with excellent knowledge of sustainable energy technologies and retrofit planning. Able to provide project examples.
• Experience in developing procedures, policies, or strategies.
• Excellent interpersonal, persuasion, and negotiation skills; experience resolving complex customer queries.
• Ability to build relationships and influence stakeholders at all levels, including in politically sensitive situations.
• Experienced project manager with strong understanding of project management methodologies; able to demonstrate best practices.
• Excellent planning and organizational skills to manage complex activities and meet targets.
• Strong research and analytical skills to diagnose problems and develop solutions.
• Proficient in ICT, including Microsoft Office and specialist systems.
• Excellent time management skills to prioritize and meet deadlines amid changing demands.
• Experience in managing tenders, contracts, and large budgets.
• Experience in securing and managing grant funding.
• Proven initiative, strategic thinking, and political awareness in decision-making.
• Experience in partnership coordination and external representation.
• Strong knowledge of climate change mitigation and adaptation through planning.

Other information

This is a fixed-term contract until 31st March 2028.

For further details, see the attached job summary.

We typically work two days in the office and the rest remotely.

Number of positions: 1

Closing date: midnight 25th August 2025

Interview process: TBC

For an informal chat, contact David Johnson at [emailprotected]; include “PCCO WHLG Role” in the subject.

This role requires declaration of unspent cautions/convictions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

Our values are Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative, and Trustworthy. Joining us offers a fair, inclusive culture, health and well-being initiatives, career development, and social activities.

We are committed to diversity and inclusion, ensuring our workforce reflects the communities we serve and promoting equality and fairness.

About the Business Unit

Our Planning, Growth and Sustainability directorate shapes Buckinghamshire’s future through planning, economic growth, regeneration, infrastructure, transport, and property services. We focus on creating jobs, delivering infrastructure, and supporting community development. Join us to help shape the region’s economic future and work on major infrastructure projects in the UK.

We recognize and reward you

We value hard work and success, offering flexible working, discounts, pension schemes, gym memberships, and other benefits to support our employees.