Sustainability Learning Programme Lead

ISP Central; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An educational organization in the UK seeks a Sustainability Learning Programme Lead to drive sustainability efforts across schools. The role involves strategic leadership in sustainability practices, developing educational programs for educators, and ensuring measurable impact in environmental initiatives. The ideal candidate has proven experience in managing sustainability programs and strong facilitation skills, with a passion for transforming educational practices. Competitive salary and commitment to diversity and inclusion are offered.

Benefits

Commitment to diversity and inclusion

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading sustainability or education transformation initiatives.
• Strong understanding of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD).
• Skilled at building trust and influencing diverse stakeholders.
• Confident facilitator with experience in training and workshops.
• Strong planning and coordination skills with measurable impact.
• Ability to link learning outcomes with environmental data.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation of ISP’s Whole School Sustainability model.
• Collaborate with ESG and Learning teams to embed sustainability.
• Oversee the evolution of the Changemakers programme.
• Design and deliver online professional learning for educators.
• Monitor and evaluate programme effectiveness using feedback.
• Promote and share key initiatives through communication.

Skills

Strategic Programme Leadership

Sustainability & ESD Expertise

Stakeholder Engagement

Facilitation & Capacity Building

Project & Change Management

Data-Informed Practice

Communication & Collaboration

Education Background

Education

Experience in international or values-driven education settings

Job description

Sustainability Learning Programme Lead

Role Profile

Purpose of Role

The Sustainability Learning Programme Lead will drive the way we learn, lead, and live sustainability across ISP schools. As part of the central Learning team and working in close partnership with Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), this role connects our sustainability vision to real-world impact - embedding Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), empowering students to become changemakers, and equipping our schools for climate action and social change.

By engaging with educators, students, and communities, the Sustainability Learning Programme Lead will ensure ISP schools are places where innovation, agency, and sustainability thrive together — and where the next generation learns not only about the future, but how to shape it.

ISP Principles

Begin with our children and students.

Our children and students are at the heart of what we do. Simply, their success is our success. Wellbeing and safety are both essential for learners and learning. Therefore, we are consistent in identifying potential safeguarding and Health & Safety issues and acting and following up on all concerns appropriately.

Treat everyone with care and respect.

We look after one another, embrace similarities and differences and promote the well-being of self and others.

Operate effectively.

We focus relentlessly on the things that are most important and will make the most difference. We apply school policies and procedures and embody the shared ideas of our community.

Are financially responsible.

We make financial choices carefully based on the needs of the children, students and our schools.

Learn continuously.

Getting better is what drives us. We positively engage with personal and professional development and school improvement.

ISP Sustainability Learning Programme Lead Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Whole School Sustainability

• Lead the implementation and scaling of ISP’s Whole School Sustainability model, tailored to local school contexts and aligned with ESG impact pillars: Learning, Earth, and Community.
• Collaborate with the ESG and Learning teams to embed sustainability into school culture, operations, and learning, connecting sustainability learning to the organisation's broader climate and social impact targets and ensuring schools see their role in delivering measurable outcomes.

‘Changemakers’ Programme Development

• Oversee the evolution of the Changemakers programme, developing new thematic modules (e.g. energy, water, waste) and ensuring alignment with ISP’s life competencies and ESD goals.
• Guide schools in designing student-led projects that generate measurable environmental or social outcomes and showcase these outcomes across the ISP network
• Support student-led sustainability action by integrating data collection, impact tracking, and behaviour change strategies into programme delivery.
• Facilitate Group-wide student engagement initiatives (e.g. Climate Day pledges, community presentations, Class of Change events) that build agency and real-world impact.
• Explore ways to scale the most successful student projects beyond individual schools, creating opportunities for regional or global collaboration

Educator professional development

• Design and deliver online professional learning for educators to embed Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) into teaching practice.
• Develop resources, frameworks, and toolkits that support schools in integrating sustainability into curriculum and daily operations.
• Provide differentiated support to schools at various stages of their sustainability journey, fostering peer learning and collaboration.

Impact Measurement & ESG Alignment

• Collaborate with ESG colleagues (e.g. Environmental Manager, International Opportunities team) to connect learning outcomes with environmental data and operational impact.
• Monitor and evaluate programme effectiveness using surveys, student feedback, and climate-related metrics (e.g. emissions reduction, climate anxiety).
• Collaborate with Life Competencies colleagues to connect student learning outcomes to ISP Big 5 Life Competencies, and measure student development through existing rubrics and frameworks
• Monitor and evaluate educator professional development via engagement in online learning programmes and teacher surveys.
• Contribute to ESG reporting and communications by highlighting student voice, school progress, and measurable outcomes.
• Promote and share key initiatives through marketing, communications and reports to share good practice internally across ISP, and externally to communities.

Skills, Qualifications and Experience

• Strategic Programme Leadership: Proven experience leading sustainability or education transformation initiatives across multiple sites or institutions.
• Sustainability & ESD Expertise: Strong understanding of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), Whole School Sustainability, and environmental impact areas (e.g. energy, waste, emissions).
• Stakeholder Engagement: Skilled at building trust and influencing diverse stakeholders, including educators, students, school leaders, and operations teams.
• Facilitation & Capacity Building: Confident facilitator with experience designing and delivering training, workshops, and peer learning networks.
• Project & Change Management: Strong planning, coordination, and implementation skills with a focus on measurable impact.
• Data-Informed Practice: Ability to link learning outcomes with environmental data and use insights to drive programme development.
• Communication & Collaboration: Excellent written and verbal communication skills; adept at working across functions and cultures.
• Education Background: Experience in international or values-driven education settings preferred; teaching or curriculum development experience is a plus.

ISP Commitment to Safeguarding Principles

ISP is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

All post holders are subject to appropriate vetting procedures, including an online due diligence search, references and satisfactory Criminal Background Checks or equivalent covering the previous 10 years’ employment history.

ISP Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

ISP is committed to strengthening our inclusive culture by identifying, hiring, developing, and retaining high-performing teammates regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender expression, age, disability status, neurodivergence, socio-economic background or other demographic characteristics. Candidates who share our vision and principles and are interested in contributing to the success of ISP through this role are strongly encouraged to apply.