Principal Environmental Sustainability Officer

OPDC; London; Hybrid; GBP 64,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Principal Environmental Sustainability Officer to lead sustainability initiatives within a major regeneration project. This role involves overseeing the development of environmental policies, managing sustainability studies, and collaborating with various stakeholders to ensure compliance with sustainability standards. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in shaping the future of a vibrant urban district, contributing to the creation of sustainable living spaces and infrastructure. This position offers excellent career development opportunities in a dynamic and supportive environment, making it ideal for passionate individuals looking to make a significant impact.

Benefits

30 days annual leave

Interest-free season ticket loan

Interest-free bicycle loan

Career average pension scheme

Learning and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Degree in relevant discipline like environmental management or sustainable development.
• Experience in environmental sustainability and regeneration programmes.

Responsibilities

• Lead on environmental sustainability studies to inform planning policy.
• Project manage external consultancies and support planning applications.

Skills

Environmental Management

Project Management

Sustainable Development

Town Planning

Engineering

Education

Degree in Environmental Science

Equivalent Experience

Job description

Principal Environmental Sustainability Officer

Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation

Reference:923

Salary:£63,112 per annum (pay award pending)

Contract type:Permanent

Location: One West Point, 7 Portal Way, North Acton, London, W3 6RT

The Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC) is a Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC), established by the Mayor of London to bring forward the regeneration of the Old Oak Opportunity area, spanning land in three London boroughs – Ealing, Brent and Hammersmith & Fulham.

The Old Oak and Park Royal Opportunity Area is one of the most exciting and important regeneration opportunities in the UK – aiming to create an accessible, welcoming and well-connected urban district, centred around the new High Speed 2 station at Old Oak Common, with tens of thousands of new high-quality and affordable homes; good quality, well-paid jobs and shops; facilities, sustainable travel connections and public green space.

Planning Directorate

OPDC is the local planning authority for the Old Oak and Park Royal area. The Planning Directorate is responsible for plan-making and decision taking. We develop and implement planning policy for the OPDC area. This includes creating and updating the Local Plan, supplementary planning documents, and other relevant guidelines. The directorate also ensures compliance with planning regulations and determines planning applications.

About the role

The post holder will be OPDC’s lead planning officer for environmental sustainability. The role will report to the Head of Planning Policy in OPDC’s Planning Directorate and will support OPDC in its role as local planning authority. You will lead on the production and project management of environmental sustainability studies to inform planning policy including the production of OPDC’s new Local Plan. You will also support OPDC’s development management functions by reviewing and commenting on planning applications and ensuring development proposals are complying with OPDC’s environmental sustainability policies.

The role will involve working closely with relevant officers across OPDC#s Planning and Delivery Directorates and engaging with key external stakeholders including developers, consultants, mayoral function bodies and officers in local authorities.

As one of the UK’s largest regeneration projects with a range of strategic development and infrastructure projects planned for delivery over the next 20 years, for the right candidate, this role offers excellent opportunities for personal and career development.

What your day will look like

• You will lead on the production of a portfolio of environment work to support the implementation of OPDC’s new Local Plan, including the production of supporting studies produced in-house or by external consultants who you will project manage.
• You will support the implementation of other planning policy guidance and reports, including supplementary plans, design codes and annual and quarterly reports.
• You will project manage external consultancies to produce reports, studies and strategies which will support you in the formulation and implementation of sustainability policy and strategy and manage associated budgets.
• You will provide advice to the Planning Directorate’s Development Management team on the environmental and sustainability aspects of planning applications and infrastructure projects.
• You will support the development of regeneration strategies, projects, and programmes for the establishment, location, inward investment, and trialling of new environmental technologies within Old Oak and Park Royal.
• You will build and maintain relationships with internal teams and external stakeholders to assist with relevant policy and projects.
• You will engage with, and represent, OPDC at senior level meetings with stakeholders including the GLA, central Government departments, local authorities, environmental organisations, service providers, developers and landowners.
• You will provide advice and briefings to OPDC’s Senior Management Team and to members of OPDC Planning Committee and the Board.
• You will prepare and contribute to reports, briefings, presentations and answers to questions on environmental sustainability policy issues for the Mayor, Mayoral advisors, OPDC’s Board, OPDC’s Planning Committee and senior advisors.
• You will establish and maintain communications on technical and policy matters with key stakeholders including mayoral functional bodies, local authorities, Government departments, national organisations, communities and private and voluntary sectors.
• You will maintain an up-to-date knowledge of legislative, technical and policy changes relating to town planning, the environment and sustainability.

Skills, knowledge and experience

To be considered for the role you must meet the following essential criteria:

• A degree (or equivalent experience) in relevant discipline such as environmental management, environmental science, sustainable development, town planning, project management, engineering, construction, quantity surveying or architecture.
• Demonstrable experience and success in an environmental sustainability related post and/or comparable regeneration programme and the key environmental sustainability challenges facing London and the UK.
• A good understanding of environmental sustainability legislation and processes.
• Demonstrate the ability to manage programmes, projects, and consultants to time, budget, and quality.

OPDC follows the GLA Competency Framework Guidelines. Further detailing each competency and the different level indicators can be found here: GLA Competency Framework

How to apply

If you would like to apply for the role you will need to submit the following:

• Up to date CV.
• Personal statement with a maximum of 1500 words.
• Please ensure you address how you demonstrate the essential criteria outlined above in the advert.

Please ensure your CV and Personal Statement have a maximum file size of 1.5MB each and upload your Personal Statement to the ‘CV and Cover Letters’ section’ of the form, ensuring you address the technical requirements and competencies in your Personal Statement.

Word or PDF format preferred and do not include any photographs or images. Please ensure your CV and Personal Statement are saved with the job reference number as part of the naming convention (E.g., “CV – applicant name - 012345).

As part of OPDC’s continuing commitment to be an inclusive and equal opportunity employer we will be removing personal identifiable information from CVs and Personal Statements that could cause discrimination.

If you have questions about the role

If you wish to talk to someone about the role, the hiring manager Tom Cardis would be happy to speak to you. Please contact them at [e-mail]

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, contact the [e-mail] who support the OPDC with recruitment.

Equity, diversity and inclusion

London's diversity is its biggest asset, and we strive to ensure our workforce reflects London's diversity at all levels. We welcome applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability.

We particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and Minority ethnic candidates and disabled candidates who are currently underrepresented in our workforce.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer and we are happy to consider flexible working arrangements. We would welcome applications from candidates who are seeking part time work as this role is open to job share.

Please note we are a Disability Confident Employer so for candidates who wish to be considered under the scheme and meet the essential criteria, they will automatically be invited to interview. Please note, should you require any adjustments through the process, we will accommodate as much as possible. Please contact the recruitment team for further information if required.

Benefits

OPDC staff are hybrid working up to 3 days a week in our offices and remotely depending on their role. As part of this, you will need to split your time between home working and coming into the office.

In addition to a good salary package, you will be paid every four weeks, providing frequent salary payments. We also offer an attractive range of benefits including 30 days’ annual leave, interest free season ticket loan, interest free bicycle loan and a career average pension scheme with the option to add to build up pension benefits with a separate provider alongside your LGPS pension via additional voluntary contributions.

Learning and development

At OPDC we are dedicated to empowering team members through ongoing learning opportunities and professional development initiatives.Our commitment to learning and development means that wewill provide you with the resources and support to expand your skills and grow your career.

Additional Information

Please note, all candidates will need to confirm that the information provided in this application form is true and correct. Should a candidate deliberately give false information, including the use of AI software, they understand that this would disqualify them from consideration.

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record (DBS) check, but some roles may require additional security screening.

More Support

If you have a disability which makes submitting an online application form difficult, please contact: [e-mail]

Shape

The OPDC is proud to be a Level 1: Disability Confident employer. We are committed to becoming a more inclusive and accessible organisation and creating a truly inclusive and accessible workplace and culture for our disabled staff. We have named Disability Equality as a key corporate priority within our EDI Strategy. We welcome and encourage applications from disabled applicants. Should you wish to opt into the scheme, please let us know during your application.

Application closing date: Sunday18 May 2025 at 23:59:00.