Sustainability Officer (Maternity Cover)

• Sustainability Officer (Maternity Cover)
• Organisation: National Galleries of Scotland
• Full-time and Fixed Term (9 months)
• Plus generous benefits package
• Hybrid / flexible working

About the role

We have a fantastic opportunity for an experienced Sustainability Officer to join our team.

We’re looking for an experienced sustainability professional who can combine strategic thinking with practical delivery.

You’ll be confident working across an organisation, building strong relationships with colleagues and external partners, and communicating complex environmental issues in a clear and engaging way to a wide range of audiences.

We’re particularly keen to hear from candidates with experience working in the sustainability and environment sector.

This role will suit someone who is knowledgeable, proactive and adaptable, with the confidence to take ownership of projects while bringing others with them.

You’ll be comfortable working with data, legislation and reporting requirements, while also being passionate about encouraging positive environmental behaviours and finding opportunities to improve how we work.

You will be responsible for managing and co-ordinating the delivery of the National Galleries of Scotland Environmental Response Plan.

This involves delivering the strategy for the organisation, co-ordinating colleague engagement to support behaviour change and managing projects to reduce environmental impact and carbon emissions.

You will also ensure compliance to Scottish Government legislation for public bodies climate change duties and biodiversity duties for annual reporting and target setting.

Ideally, you’ll be available to start at the end of September or beginning of October. The initial contract is for 9 months, with the possibility of an extension of up to 3 months.

The difference you’ll make

Reporting to the Head of Function you will

• Maintain our Sustainability Strategy, Environmental Policy, Climate Change Action Plan and other relevant plans, including monitoring, and annually updating them.
• Oversee projects across departments, providing support with project management, research, knowledge sharing and procurement and contract management.
• Administer the monthly carbon reporting on utilities, waste, and business travel, including reviewing utilities invoices, checking any abnormal consumption, counter charging third parties and seeking energy savings.

• Produce accurate reports including

• Annual internal Environmental Sustainability Report for our audit committee.
• Mandatory external public sector Climate Change Duties Reporting and Biodiversity Duty reporting.
• Deliver colleague engagement sessions on targeted topics for example waste, low carbon travel, energy efficiency.
• Manage our internal environmental groups, including all communications, facilitation of engagement projects and support for personal projects.
• Keep project teams updated on new legislation in relation to buildings, guiding on sector advances and maintaining links between our current sustainability work and the planning for buildings.
• Create and maintain meaningful partnerships and managing joint projects with external organisations.
• Keep up to date on relevant legislation to ensure compliance and respond to sector developments. Communicate updates to relevant contacts internally.
• Responding to consultations at national and local level on behalf on the organisation. Keep abreast of relevant grants and funding opportunities.

Who we are looking for

• Degree educated in a relevant discipline.
• Previous experience working in a similar sustainability and environment role, ideally in the public sector.
• Excellent knowledge of environment management and current sustainability legislation, best practice, and initiatives– including but not limited to energy, water, waste, travel, waste, biodiversity, procurement, construction, adaptation.
• Knowledge of the measures needed to reduce an organisation’s carbon footprint.
• Knowledge of public sector carbon and sustainability reporting as well as reports for wider environmental legislation.
• Skilled at analysing data to produce articulate and accurate reports for internal and external stakeholders.
• Exceptional communication, training and presentation skills, with strong attention to detail.
• Experience of successfully co-ordinating multiple projects, meeting deadlines.
• Excellent IT skills including MS Office.
• Proven ability to define, communicate and motivate colleagues to deliver sustainability goals and objectives.

It would also be great if you have

• Experience in promoting environmental initiatives
• Ability to speak knowledgeably and accurately on current sustainability matters to expert/non-expert audiences.
• Gaelic language skills.

The closing date for applications is 12 noon on Wednesday, 26 August 2026.

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