At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead climate action initiatives and drive social value projects for a historic charity.
- Company: Join the City Bridge Foundation, a 900-year-old charity making a real difference.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, local government pension, and perks like gym discounts.
- Other info: Flexible work options available; be part of a diverse and inclusive team.
- Why this job: Shape impactful climate strategies and engage with communities to create lasting change.
- Qualifications: Degree in environmental management or significant experience in sustainability required.
The predicted salary is between 49500 - 60500 £ per year.
The City of London Corporation has a special role and a wide remit that goes beyond that of an ordinary local authority. We look after the City on behalf of everyone who lives, works, studies and visits here, and are committed to promoting opportunity, diversity, innovation, heritage and so much more. The City Corporation is the sole trustee of City Bridge Foundation, a 900-year-old charity that supports and maintains the City’s five bridges – Tower, London, Southwark, Millennium and Blackfriars. Since 1995 the charity has used surplus funds to award grants to charitable organisations, distributing more than £900m for the benefit of disadvantaged communities. The charity’s long-term strategy, Bridging London 2020–2045, commits to taking meaningful action on climate change, building climate resilience and delivering social value.
When you join City Bridge Foundation in this exciting new role it will be your task to shape, embed and champion the charity’s work, and bring together the Foundation’s duties as bridge owner, funder and visitor attraction. Your key responsibilities will include:
- Leading the strategic implementation and ongoing review of the Climate Action Plan
- Project managing the implementation of priority workstreams
- Actively leading operational governance across delivery of the plan
- Coordinating data management and reporting across the charity’s climate action work
- Commissioning research or carbon reporting to identify priority interventions
- Developing fully costed businesses cases for major investments
- Producing presentations, reports and agendas for briefings and events
- Leading efforts to obtain sustainability certifications and accreditations
- Developing training material and learning resources
- Providing guidance to your colleagues during the development of capital programmes
- Advising on compliance for relevant legislation, regulation and reporting requirements
- Leading a comprehensive process to develop and embed the charity’s Social Value Framework
- Ensuring social value and climate action workstreams are closely aligned
- Leading stakeholder engagement with communities, partners and sector peers
- Identifying, developing and progressing strategic partnerships
- Ensuring responsible procurement is embedded across supplier relationships
- Leading the delivery of an existing portfolio of social value programmes
- Establishing monitoring and learning processes across social value activities
- Supporting efforts to position City Bridge Foundation as a leader on climate action and social value
- Keeping up to speed with industry trends and networking across similar sectors
Educated to degree level in environmental management, environmental science, a similar discipline or with significant experience and evidence of CPD in sustainability or social value issues, you’ll have developed and implemented sustainability, climate action and social value strategies in a role with a charity, public sector or corporate organisation. Capable of providing stakeholders with evidence‑based advice, and with a track record of delivering successful engagement activities and projects, you’ll also have well developed experience of working in a complex organisation and promoting climate action and social value projects. Capable of managing suppliers, building external partnerships and networks, and of using best practice to inform your work, your strong leadership skills will allow you to drive and deliver successful cultural change throughout our organisation. It goes without saying that you’ll possess a strong understanding of climate change, sustainability and resilience, and you should also have good knowledge of social value concepts in a public, charitable or civic setting. Analytical, strategic and with excellent communication skills, we’ll also expect you to be a natural problem solver and confident user of MS Office and other IT systems.
You’ll also enjoy a competitive salary, the security of the local government pension scheme, and a number of additional benefits including: interest free annual season ticket loan and bicycle loan; free or discounted entry to many of the City’s gyms, art galleries, cinemas and other attractions.
The City Corporation and City Bridge Foundation are committed to equal opportunities and we welcome applications from all sections of the community. The City of London Corporation is currently undergoing a programme to ensure that our pay and reward practices are competitive and equitable across the whole organisation, to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to thrive in the work that we do.
Closing date: 23:59pm on 31 August 2026. Interviews will be held on W/c 7 September 2026.
Because our roles are so varied, we don't have a 'one size fits all' policy for workplace attendance. How many days a week you'll be required to attend your workplace will depend on the requirements of your role. It's important that you understand the requirements before applying to ensure you are able to meet them. We are committed to considering requests to work flexibly and job share. Requests will be considered by the recruiting manager in line with our policies and business needs.
Head of Climate Action & Social Value employer: City of London Corporation
The City of London Corporation is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where Senior Principal Project Managers can thrive in overseeing impactful refurbishment projects. With a strong emphasis on employee growth and a hybrid working model, the Corporation fosters a collaborative culture that values communication and customer focus, making it an ideal place for professionals seeking meaningful and rewarding careers.
Contact Details:
City of London Corporation Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Climate Action & Social Value
✨Dive into Environmental Networks
Get involved with sustainability-focused organisations and attend their events. Look for local meetups or conferences in environmental management where you can connect with professionals in the field. This can lead to insider info on job openings at companies like City of London Corporation that might not be advertised widely.
✨Show Your Passion with Projects
Consider undertaking personal or community projects that highlight your dedication to sustainability. Whether it's a local clean-up or a carbon footprint assessment, document your findings and results. This not only boosts your portfolio but also shows potential employers like City of London Corporation that you're proactive and serious about the field.
✨Seek Out Green Job Boards
Don’t just rely on general job boards. Explore specific platforms that focus on sustainability and environmental management roles. Websites like EnvironmentJobs and Sustainable Business can be goldmines for full-time positions at companies like City of London Corporation. Keep an eye out for their aggregation of listings!
✨Let Your Online Presence Shine
Make sure your social media and professional profiles reflect your passion for sustainability. Share articles, engage in discussions, and connect with leaders in the field. Your active presence can make a lasting impression on hiring managers at companies like City of London Corporation when they search for candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Climate Action & Social Value
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Passion for Sustainability:In your cover letter, let your enthusiasm for sustainability shine through. Share any relevant experiences, like projects, volunteer work, or events you've participated in that align with City of London Corporation's values. This position isn't just about meeting qualifications; it's about genuinely caring for the environment and showing us why you're the right fit for Head of Climate Action & Social Value.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications and Experience:Make sure to showcase any specific qualifications, such as degrees in environmental science or certifications in sustainability practices in your CV. We want to see how your academic background and practical experiences align with the job you're applying for, so don’t hold back on anything that demonstrates your expertise in environmental management.
Tailor Your CV to the Role:As we're looking for someone to jump into a full-time role, be specific about previous roles or projects that demonstrate your capabilities in sustainability. Use bullet points to make accomplishments clear, and don’t forget to quantify your achievements wherever possible – it’s all about showing us the impact of your work!
Research City of London Corporation and Reflect It In Your Application:We love candidates who take the time to understand what we're about. Mention specific initiatives or projects that City of London Corporation is known for in your cover letter. This shows us that you’ve done your homework and are genuinely excited about the chance to contribute to our mission in the role of Head of Climate Action & Social Value.
How to prepare for a job interview at City of London Corporation
✨Brush Up on Environmental Legislation
Given that we're diving into sustainability and environmental management, it’s crucial to have a solid understanding of current environmental laws and regulations. Be prepared to discuss how these laws apply to real-world scenarios, as you might face some technical questions about compliance and best practices during your chat with City of London Corporation.
✨Showcase Your Experience with Sustainability Projects
When you're discussing your background, highlight specific sustainability initiatives you've been involved in. Whether it’s a project at university or work experience, sharing measurable outcomes and your role will demonstrate your hands-on skills, which is super important for this full-time role at City of London Corporation.
✨Familiarity with Tools and Software
Make sure you're familiar with any relevant tools or software commonly used in environmental management, like GIS for mapping or data analysis tools. Bring this up in your interview as it shows you’re not only passionate but also prepared to roll up your sleeves and get to work!
✨Connect Your Values with the Company's Mission
Full-time roles are all about team fit, so it’s important to align your personal values with those of City of London Corporation. Be ready to discuss why you're passionate about sustainability and how you can contribute to their mission, as this will really resonate with the interviewers and show that you’re genuinely invested in their goals.
