At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead sustainability strategy and initiatives to drive environmental responsibility across the organisation.
- Company: Join National Star, a forward-thinking organisation committed to sustainability.
- Benefits: Flexible part-time role with opportunities for professional growth and impact.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on equality, diversity, and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in promoting sustainability and influencing positive change.
- Qualifications: Experience in sustainability programmes and strong data analysis skills required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
We are seeking a Sustainability Lead on a part time basis to lead National Star’s sustainability strategy, embedding environmental responsibility across all operations, ensuring legal compliance, driving carbon reduction, and enabling National Star to progress towards becoming an environmentally responsible and sustainable organisation. The Sustainability Lead acts as the organisation’s adviser, supporting strategic and operational decision‑making, influencing culture change, leading and supporting initiatives and promoting best practice internally and externally. Responsibilities may evolve over time to reflect organisational needs and emerging sustainability priorities.
Key Objectives & Responsibilities:
- Sustainability Strategy & Leadership
- Lead the development, implementation and ongoing review of National Star’s Sustainability Strategy.
- Provide guidance and advice to Leadership Team, Management Team colleagues, Governors and Trustees.
- Embed sustainability principles across organisational operations, planning, policy and decision‑making, ensuring compliance with relevant changes in environmental legislation and initiatives.
- Develop networks in the sustainability sector representing National Star locally, regionally and nationally, to identify Government and industry best practice and potential collaborative partnerships with other education and/or health and social care providers.
- Carbon, Energy & Environmental Management
- Lead the creation and delivery of the organisation’s Carbon Management Plan.
- Working with colleagues, monitor, analyse and report the organisation’s energy usage and carbon emissions.
- Ensure the organisation meets legal obligations regarding climate‑change and environmental legislation.
- Work closely with Site Services to reduce energy consumption and improve environmental performance.
- Waste, Recycling & Circular Economy
- Lead initiatives to increase recycling rates and reduce overall waste.
- Improve waste segregation and support adoption of circular‑economy practices.
- Biodiversity, Estates & Grounds
- Work with Grounds teams to enhance biodiversity and reduce unnecessary pesticide use.
- Support the development of nature‑rich environments.
- Sustainable Travel & Transport
- Develop and promote the organisation’s Green Travel Plan.
- Support sustainable travel initiatives such as car sharing and active travel.
- Education, Engagement & Behaviour Change
- Undertake sustainability audits and assessments.
- Lead sustainability engagement initiatives for colleagues, students and residents.
- Collaborate with Learning Programme and operational teams to embed sustainability into schemes of work.
- Support National Star’s Green Groups.
- Sustainable Procurement & Supply Chain
- Work with Procurement to integrate sustainability criteria.
- Support teams to ensure suppliers meet environmental standards.
- Funding, Innovation & Partnerships
- Identify and secure funding to support sustainability projects to develop business cases in support of key sustainable initiatives.
- Build partnerships with external organisations to enhance innovation and best practice.
- Policies, Procedures & Impact Assessment
- Ensure sustainability impacts are incorporated into new organisational policies.
- Maintain and periodically review the Sustainability Policy.
- Lead sustainability impact assessments for major organisational projects.
- Wider Organisational Responsibilities
- Promote high standards of professional behaviour, communication and presentation.
- Demonstrate commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
- Support National Star’s ethos of ‘Realising the aspirations of people with disabilities’.
- Ensure compliance with safeguarding, Health & Safety, GDPR and risk‑management requirements.
- Maintain own professional development in sustainability and fulfil the organisation’s training requirements.
You will have:
- Experience delivering sustainability or environmental programmes or initiatives.
- Experience working across teams to influence change and improve performance.
- Experience collecting, analysing and reporting data.
- Experience managing projects or multiple workstreams.
- Degree, qualification or equivalent experience in sustainability, environmental science or related discipline.
- Able to work flexibly across National Star sites.
Management - Sustainability Lead employer: National Star
National Star is an exceptional employer that prioritises sustainability and environmental responsibility, offering a unique opportunity for the Sustainability Lead to make a meaningful impact. With a strong commitment to employee growth, a collaborative work culture, and a focus on innovative practices, National Star fosters an environment where staff can thrive while contributing to a vital cause. Located in a supportive community, this role not only allows for professional development but also aligns with the organisation's ethos of realising the aspirations of people with disabilities.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Management - Sustainability Lead
✨Get Involved in Local Sustainability Projects
Join community initiatives or volunteer for local environmental organisations. It’s a fantastic way to gain hands-on experience and connect with like-minded people. Plus, you might find out about part-time opportunities at these events that aren't even advertised!
✨Tap Into Sustainability Networks and Forums
Engage with online platforms and groups specifically focused on sustainability and environmental management. Think about joining LinkedIn groups or forums where professionals discuss the latest trends. You never know when a part-time role, like the one at National Star, might pop up!
✨Attend Sustainability Events and Workshops
Keep an eye on events, workshops, and webinars related to sustainability in your area. These gatherings are gold mines for networking and you might even meet someone from National Star! Collect business cards, chat with speakers, and make a memorable impression.
✨Showcase Your Passion on Social Media
Use platforms like Twitter or Instagram to share your thoughts on environmental issues that matter to you. Tag organisations you’re interested in, like National Star. It’s a great way to catch their eye while proving your commitment to the field—and who doesn’t love a good social media stalk before hiring?
We think you need these skills to ace Management - Sustainability Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Sustainability Passion:In your CV and cover letter, let your enthusiasm for environmental management shine through. Talk about any projects or initiatives you've been involved in, whether they're from university, previous jobs, or personal passion projects. We want to see that you've got the heart and drive for sustainability!
Highlight Relevant Skills and Certifications:Make sure to emphasise any specific skills or certifications that relate to sustainability and environmental management. Whether it's knowledge of environmental legislation, sustainability reporting, or experience with specific tools and software - make those qualifications front and centre in your application!
Show Your Flexibility and Availability:Since this role is part-time, be clear about your availability in your application. Share how many hours you can commit and any specific days you're free. This shows us you're organised and ready to jump in without hesitation.
Keep it Concise and Relevant:Part-time roles often receive a lot of applications, so keep your application focused! Stick to the key experiences and skills that are most relevant to the role. Remember, the goal is to make a strong impression quickly, so get to the point while still showing your personality.
How to prepare for a job interview at National Star
✨Showcase Your Passion
We need to convey our genuine interest in sustainability. During the interview, share specific projects or initiatives you've been part of—whether that’s volunteering for environmental causes or studying relevant topics. Let them see that you're not just looking for any part-time gig, but that this is a cause you genuinely care about.
✨Know Your Environmental Policies
Make sure to brush up on current environmental policies and sustainable practices. We should be ready to discuss recent legislation or renewable technologies that impact our field. This shows not just that we know our stuff, but that we’re proactive about staying up-to-date in the sustainability arena.
✨Have Your Portfolio Ready
Since we’re aiming for a part-time role, having a solid portfolio can really set us apart. Include any reports, presentations, or projects that highlight our skills in environmental management. This will not only showcase our expertise but also demonstrate our ability to apply theoretical knowledge in practical situations.
✨Expect Scenario-Based Questions
We might face scenario-based questions that test our problem-solving skills in real-world environmental issues. Think through potential scenarios beforehand—like how to improve waste management in a community or implement a green policy at a workplace. This will help us come across as strategic thinkers during the interview.
