Sustainability Manager

NHS National Services Scotland; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A public health organization is seeking a Sustainability Manager to support NHS Boards in environmental sustainability efforts across Scotland. The ideal candidate will possess a Master's degree and experience in climate change, waste management, and circular economy practices. Responsibilities include delivering training, advising on sustainability, and progressing NHS Scotland's climate commitments. The role offers a comprehensive benefits package and encourages flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

Pension scheme

Work life balance policies

Occupational health services

Learning resources

Discounted leisure benefits

Qualifications

• Proven experience of providing operational guidance on climate change and environmental sustainability.
• Membership or Fellowship of relevant Professional Institutes desirable.
• Specialist expertise in waste management and circular economy.

Responsibilities

• Establish NHS Scotland Assure as a centre for sustainability advice.
• Support NHS Boards in meeting climate emergency expectations.
• Deliver training, organize events, and produce reports.

Skills

Environmental sustainability expertise

Climate change mitigation

Waste management

Communication skills

Negotiating and influencing skills

Education

Master's degree or equivalent experience

Job description

About the Organisation:

A vital part of NHS National Services Scotland's mission is to enable and support the delivery of better health and better care by working in partnership with a number of internal and external stakeholders. We do this by providing a range of specialised support services that enable NHS Boards to focus their efforts on delivering health improvement and patient care. NHS Scotland Assure was launched as part of NHS National Services Scotland (NSS) in 2021. It underpins a transformation in the approach to promoting excellence, reducing risks in the healthcare‑built environment and ensuring healthcare facilities are safe, fit for purpose, cost effective and capable of delivering sustainable services over the long term.

The Post:

NHS Scotland Assure is looking for a suitably experienced and qualified Sustainability Manager for the Waste and Circular Economy Workstream. The individual must be passionate about environmental sustainability and will establish and ensure the name of NHS Scotland Assure as the centre for advice, training and help on this aspect of sustainability and environmental performance for the healthcare sector in Scotland. The post holder will work as part of a dynamic and evolving Climate Change, Sustainability and Environment team to support all 22 NHS Scotland Boards in meeting the Scottish Government’s climate emergency and environmental sustainability expectations of public sector bodies generally, and NHSScotland requirements and policy commitments specifically.

The Candidate:

You will be educated to Masters degree level or have extensive relevant equivalent training and vocational experience. You will also have proven experience of providing operational guidance and support on climate change and environmental sustainability. Membership or Fellowship of one or more relevant Professional Institutes is desirable, such as Chartered Institute of Waste Managers.

Candidates will be expected to have specialist expertise in waste management and circular economy specifically and some or all of the following areas more generally: climate change mitigation and adaptation, environmental management (ISO14001), sustainable transport, active travel, greenspace and biodiversity, and resource efficiency. Experience of strategic and operational project delivery is essential for this role, along with the negotiating and influencing skills necessary to advance the sustainability performance of NHSScotland.

A confident communicator, you will represent NSS and NHSScotland in dealings with a range of government, health sector and other public bodies both in Scotland and the UK, and across a range of national and international events. This will include delivery of specialist training, organising and chairing national meetings and events, and producing professional environmental awareness material and reports, often to tight deadlines. In addition, you will have proven experience of utilising complex information for management purposes and in setting and monitoring targets and performance indicators.

Location and Working Pattern:

Gyle Square, Edinburgh or Delta House, Glasgow.

The post holder will work from NSS offices, home, NHS Board sites and other locations, as necessary.

Monday to Friday, 37 hours per week.

It is a condition of this employment that you must live and remain a resident within the UK for the post in which you will be employed with NSS.

Benefits:

Our benefits package includes pension scheme, comprehensive range of work life balance policies, occupational health services, learning resource centres and discounted leisure, financial and shopping benefits. HR Benefits Brochure.

Inclusion:

NHS National Services Scotland (NSS) is a national board and, as an anchor institution, it is our ambition to be a diverse and inclusive organisation where everyone feels welcome. We recognise that flexible working creates an inclusive workplace where employees can thrive and feel confident about their ability to balance their personal and professional responsibilities. This is supported through Once for Scotland flexible working policies. NSS has made a long‑term commitment to staff health and well‑being and offers many learning and development opportunities to support and improve our approaches to diversity, inclusion and mental health in the workplace. There are a number of equality staff networks in place which all staff are welcome to join. We are also an equal opportunities employer and as such guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for our vacancies. As an accredited Disability Confident Leader, it is the aim of NSS to offer a fully accessible and inclusive recruitment service that supports applicants on their candidate journey. If you are interested in any reasonable adjustments, please contact the Recruitment Team on [e-mail]

Further information:

For an informal discussion on the post, please contact Jacqueline Kilcoyne at [e-mail]

Closing date for completed applications is 10 December 2025

Further information on NSS is available from https://www.nss.nhs.scot/

Please note that the majority of correspondence is sent by e‑mail only, so please check your e‑mail regularly (including junk folders).

NHS National Services Scotland is an equal opportunities employer and as committed participant in the disability confident scheme, guarantees to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for our vacancies