At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead climate change strategy and drive sustainability initiatives at Thames Water.
- Company: Join the UK's largest water and wastewater company, committed to a sustainable future.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, private healthcare, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Flexible working arrangements and excellent career growth opportunities await you.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on climate resilience and sustainability for millions of customers.
- Qualifications: Strong strategic skills and experience in climate change or sustainability strategies.
The predicted salary is between 90000 - 90000 £ per year.
We’re looking for a strategic, forward-thinking Climate Change and Sustainability Strategy Manager to lead our work on climate change resilience, sustainability and natural capital. You will play a pivotal role in shaping how we anticipate and respond to future challenges and identify opportunities for innovation and long‑term resilience. You will develop strategy, help to inform decision-making, and drive innovation across the organisation.
What you’ll be doing as a Climate Change and Sustainability Strategy Manager:
- Lead our Climate Change Strategy - define and manage the execution of Thames Water’s climate change strategy, approach and risk management, and make sure that this is embedded.
- Lead our work on Natural Capital - drive the development and implementation of Thames Water's natural capital approach, embedding natural capital thinking into decision‑making frameworks and strengthening links to our wider value and sustainability agenda.
- Build strong internal and external partnerships - work with internal and external stakeholders to develop, integrate and deliver our commitments.
- Scan the horizon - monitor emerging policy and best practice to take a long‑term view of the external landscape and apply this to our key focus areas.
- Own and update core policies - maintain and evolve core sustainability policies and frameworks, ensuring they remain aligned with strategic priorities, regulatory expectations and industry best practice, and are effectively understood across the business.
- Support key disclosures and reporting - including the development of material for sustainability reporting and climate‑related disclosures.
- Influence investment and business planning – provide expert advice and challenge to business planning, investment decisions and strategic programmes so that climate, sustainability and natural capital considerations are reflected in decision making.
- Champion our sustainability themes - maintain our nine sustainability themes and support the development of case studies that bring our work to life for internal and external audiences.
Base location: Reading - Hybrid
Working hours: 36 Hours
What you should bring to the role:
- Excellent communication skills, a collaborative approach and the ability to build trusted relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
- Strong strategic and analytical skills, with the ability to see multiple options, join the dots and turn complex information into clear, compelling insight.
- Ability to translate complex technical information into clear business insights and recommendations.
- Demonstrable experience developing and delivering climate change, sustainability or environmental strategies within a complex organisation.
- Strong understanding of climate adaptation, climate mitigation, natural capital and sustainability frameworks.
- Knowledge of relevant UK environmental and climate policy, regulation and reporting requirements.
- Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and operate effectively across organisational boundaries.
- A proactive mindset with a passion for continuous improvement and innovation.
- A relevant technical or professional qualification such as a degree or equivalent experience.
- Strong digital and analytical skills, including proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint, with curiosity and willingness to explore and apply AI.
- Highly numerate with an attention to detail.
Additional skills and experiences would be great to have/bring:
- Strong questioning and probing skills to identify opportunities or discover risks relating to sustainability.
- Awareness of emerging trends, opportunities and challenges within the sustainability, climate change and natural capital landscape.
- Experience developing and delivering engaging communication and stakeholder approaches across a variety of audiences.
- Relevant related higher professional qualification or working towards one.
What’s in it for you?
- Competitive salary up to £90,000 per annum, depending on experience.
- Annual Leave - 26 days holiday per year increasing to 30 with the length of service (plus bank holidays).
- Car Allowance.
- Performance‑related pay plan directly linked to company performance measures and targets.
- Generous Pension Scheme through AON.
- Private Medical Health Care.
- Access to lots of benefits to help you take care of you and your family’s health and wellbeing, and your finances – from annual health MOTs and access to physiotherapy and counselling, to Cycle to Work schemes, shopping vouchers and life assurance.
Who are we?
We’re the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, with more than 16 million customers relying on us every day to supply water for their taps and toilets. We want to build a better future for all, helping our customers, communities, people, and the planet to thrive. It’s a big job and we’ve got a long way to go, so we need help from passionate and skilled people, committed to making a difference and getting us to where we want to be in the years and decades to come.
Learn more about our purpose and values.
Working at Thames Water:
Thames Water is a unique, rewarding, and diverse place to work, where every day you can make a difference, yet no day is the same. As part of our family, you’ll enjoy meaningful career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits.
If you’re looking for a sustainable and successful career where you can make a daily difference to millions of people’s lives while helping to protect the world of water for future generations, we’ll be here to support you every step of the way. Together, we can build a better future for our customers, our region, and our planet.
Real purpose, real support, real opportunities. Come and join the Thames Water family.
Why choose us? Learn more.
We’re committed to being a great, diverse, and inclusive place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and want to ensure you feel supported throughout the recruitment process. If you need any adjustments, whether that’s extra time, accessible formats, or anything else just let us know, we’re here to help and support.
When a crisis happens, we all rally around to support our customers. As part of Team Thames, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up to support our customers on the frontline as an ambassador. Full training will be given for what is undoubtedly an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s also a great opportunity to learn more about our business and meet colleagues.
Climate Change and Sustainability Strategy Manager in Reading employer: Thames Water
Thames Water is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee growth and development. With a focus on innovation in wastewater operations, employees benefit from hybrid working arrangements, a 36-hour week, and opportunities to mentor colleagues while contributing to impactful projects. The Crossness location provides a unique environment where you can make a meaningful difference in the community and enhance your technical skills in a collaborative setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Climate Change and Sustainability Strategy Manager in Reading
✨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 Thames Water 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 Thames Water 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 Thames Water. 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 Thames Water when they search for candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace Climate Change and Sustainability Strategy Manager in Reading
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 Thames Water'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 Climate Change and Sustainability Strategy Manager.
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 Thames Water 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 Thames Water 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 Climate Change and Sustainability Strategy Manager.
How to prepare for a job interview at Thames Water
✨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 Thames Water.
✨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 Thames Water.
✨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 Thames Water. 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.
