Sustainability and Energy Director

University of Reading; Reading; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Reading seeks a Sustainability and Energy Director to provide leadership across sustainability, energy management and net zero ambitions. The role leads the development and delivery of strategies, ensuring ambitious commitments translate into practical programmes across the estate.

With a strong track record in energy management, utilities procurement and commercial oversight, the postholder will motivate teams, engage stakeholders, and drive measurable reductions while

Qualifications

• Experience delivering organisation-wide sustainability and energy strategies.
• Track record in energy management and carbon reduction.
• Ability to lead and develop high-performing teams.
• Experience with utilities procurement and commercial management.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and delivery of sustainability and energy plans across net zero.
• Translate commitments into practical programmes across estate operations.
• Collaborate with university stakeholders to drive measurable energy and carbon reductions.
• Oversee energy, waste, travel, procurement and behavioural change initiatives.

Skills

Sustainability leadership

Energy management

Net zero strategies

Utilities procurement

Commercial management

Stakeholder engagement

Team leadership

Tools

ISO 14001

ISO 50001

Job description

The University of Reading is seeking to appoint a Sustainability and Energy Director to provide leadership across its sustainability, energy management and net zero ambitions.

Sustainability is embedded within the University’s strategic vision and institutional identity. Ranked fourth in the UK for sustainability in the 2025/26 People & Planet University League, with its Whiteknights campus achieving a Green Flag Award for 16 consecutive years, Reading has established strong foundations from which to pursue its next phase of environmental ambition. Its Environmental Sustainability Strategic Action Plan 2025–30 and Net Zero Carbon Plan 2025–2040 provide a clear framework for action across carbon and energy, resource use, travel, biodiversity and responsible procurement.

The Sustainability and Energy Director will lead the development and delivery of the University’s sustainability and energy plans, setting direction across net zero, carbon reduction and energy management. Working closely with colleagues across the University, the postholder will ensure that ambitious commitments are translated into practical, deliverable programmes, informing how the estate is operated, improved and developed for the future.

The role has a broad remit spanning energy and utilities, waste and recycling, sustainable travel, environmental compliance and behavioural change. A particular focus will be on leading the optimisation of energy across the University’s complex estate, improving building and energy performance and supporting the transition towards a lower-carbon estate. This will include utilities procurement and contracts, consumption and performance, cost optimisation and the continued delivery of measurable energy and carbon reductions. The University also maintains ISO 14001 and ISO 50001 certification, providing a strong platform for continued improvement.

We are looking for an established sustainability and energy leader with experience gained within a large, operationally complex organisation. Candidates will bring a track record of developing and delivering organisation-wide sustainability, energy and net zero strategies, alongside strong expertise in energy management, utilities procurement and commercial management. They will understand the practical challenges of delivering sustainability and decarbonisation across a substantial estate, balancing environmental ambition with operational, financial and investment priorities.

The successful candidate will be a collaborative and credible leader, able to motivate and develop high-performing teams, build trusted relationships and influence stakeholders at all levels.

This is a rare opportunity to lead an established and high-profile sustainability agenda at a University with a strong track record of delivery, while having genuine scope to influence future ambitions.

The candidate brochure, which includes further information about the role and application process, can be viewed here: University of Reading - Sustainability and Energy Director

Closing date for applications: 29 November 2026

Interviews: on campus, week commencing 14 December 2026

For a confidential discussion, please contact our retained recruitment partners, MRG – [e-mail] and [e-mail].