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Job summary

Main area
Sustainability Team
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 8a
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - N/A
Job ref
193-8119513CORB8A-SUSTA
Employer
Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Royal Berkshire Hospital
Town
Reading
Salary
£57,528 - £64,750 per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
11/08/2026 23:59
Interview date
26/08/2026

Employer heading

Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust logo

Sustainability Lead Manager

NHS AfC: Band 8a

At the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust we put our patients at the heart of every element of health and care that we provide. The Trust works together as a community to deliver its vision which is “Working together to provide outstanding care for our community.”

Royal Berkshire Hospital are pleased to announce that following our CQC inspection we have been rated ‘Good’ with inspectors reporting that we have made significant improvements.  The Trust’s overall rating has also improved to ‘good’.  

We are Compassionate in our thoughts, words and actions

We are Aspirational and have a true desire to be dynamic and to innovate

We are Resourceful and responsible in the way we work and live

We are Excellent in our development, fairness and sharing best practice

At the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, we value candidates who bring their unique personalities, skills, and experiences to the Trust. When completing your application, we encourage you to highlight your individual achievements and strengths, showing us how they align with the requirements outlined in the job description and person specification. While we recognise that some applicants may use AI tools during the process, please be mindful that AI-generated responses can often lack the personal detail and relevance needed to demonstrate your suitability for the role. AI generated content is discouraged by the Trust and may diminish the candidates chances of success.

Amazing things happen at the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust; delivered by amazing people so why don’t you come and join us.  We offer a range of learning and development for all employees may you be clinical or non-clinical.  

Please note: all vacancies automatically close when 50 applications have been received.

Job overview

This is an opportunity to shape the future of sustainable healthcare by leading the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust's ambitious Green Plan and Net Zero agenda. As the Trust's senior sustainability specialist, you will influence strategic decision-making at the highest level, driving and leading innovative programmes that deliver measurable environmental, financial and social benefits. If you are passionate about creating lasting change, thrive on strategic leadership and want to make a tangible impact on patient care, communities and the environment, this role offers the chance to leave a meaningful legacy.

Main duties of the job

You will lead the development and delivery of the Trust's sustainability strategy, working collaboratively with clinical, corporate and external partners to embed sustainable practices across the organisation. The role involves developing business cases, securing investment, overseeing major sustainability programmes, monitoring performance, ensuring regulatory compliance and, perhaps most importantly, inspiring behavioural change through engagement and leadership. We are seeking an influential and collaborative leader with extensive sustainability expertise, excellent communication and analytical skills with the evidenced ability to build strong partnerships, translate complex challenges into practical solutions and inspire others to achieve ambitious environmental goals.

Working for our organisation

Diversity makes us interesting… Inclusion is what will make us outstanding.

Inequality exists and the journey to eliminate it is not easy. Every step we take will be a purposeful step forward to deliver a truly inclusive culture where all our people are enabled to deliver outstanding care, where background is no barrier, and where everyone can be their authentic self and we truly represent our patient community.

We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics. Reasonable adjustments will be made for disabled applicants where possible. All applicants who have a disability and meet the minimum criteria for the post can opt for a guaranteed interview.

If you need additional help with your application please get in touch by calling the recruitment team on 0118 322 6997 or 0118 322 5342.

Our primary method of communication will be via email. However, if you would prefer to be contacted through a different method, please inform the recruitment team.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

·  Lead the strategic development, implementation and continuous improvement of the Trust's Sustainability Strategy and Green Plan, ensuring alignment with national policy, regulatory requirements and organisational priorities.

·        Act as the Trust's lead specialist for sustainability, providing strategic and technical advice to the Trust Board, Executive Team and senior managers on sustainability, environmental management, compliance and Net Zero programmes.

· Develop, lead and deliver a portfolio of sustainability and decarbonisation programmes that improve environmental performance, reduce carbon emissions, enhance social value and support organisational efficiency.

·        Ensure compliance with environmental legislation, national policy and regulatory requirements, embedding environmental, social and economic sustainability into Trust strategies, policies and operational decision-making.

·           Identify funding opportunities and develop business cases to secure investment in sustainability, energy efficiency and low-carbon technologies, ensuring effective delivery and benefits realisation.

·           Build effective partnerships with clinical and corporate services, Executive Directors and external organisations to embed sustainable practices, promote innovation and deliver the Trust's sustainability objectives.

·           Lead the Trust's sustainability engagement programme, including staff communications, awareness campaigns, education, behavioural change initiatives and the Green Champions Network.

·           Develop governance arrangements, performance measures and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), monitoring and reporting progress against Green Plan objectives, carbon reduction targets and Net Zero commitments.

·           Analyse complex environmental, financial and operational data to inform strategic decision-making, producing reports and recommendations for the Trust Board, committees, senior management and external stakeholders.

·           Lead the Trust's energy, utilities and waste management programmes, including contract oversight, performance monitoring and the identification of efficiency and carbon reduction opportunities.

·           Provide leadership for sustainability projects, coordinating staff, contractors and specialist suppliers to ensure effective programme delivery, governance and regulatory compliance.

·           Ensure the Trust meets its sustainability, environmental stewardship and corporate citizenship responsibilities, supporting compliance with the requirements of NHS England, the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the Environment Agency (EA), Integrated Care Board (ICB) and other relevant regulatory bodies.

·           Produce regular Board reports, the annual Sustainability Report and other assurance, audit and benchmarking reports required by the Sustainability Steering Group, Trust Board and external organisations.

·           Spearhead and Chair or co-chair cross-functional Sustainability Working Groups, providing strategic programme and project management to align subject matter experts and drive organisational initiatives

Person specification

Training and Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • Education Degree and Postgraduate
  • Specialist Knowledge
  • Evidence of Continuing Professional Development
  • Management Training and Experience
Desirable criteria
  • Professional Registration
  • Programme/Project Management Qualification

Experience and Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • Experience at a senior level in the NHS
  • Strong understanding of sustainability, environmental policy and regulatory frameworks.
  • Experience interpreting legislation and applying best practice
  • Experience in a comparable sustainability role (typically 3+ years).
Desirable criteria
  • Experience working with Local Authorities or system wide partners
  • Experience within the NHS Acute sector or other NHS provider organisation.

Skills and Ability

Essential criteria
  • Highly effective communication skills
  • Evidence of strong collaborative and team working capability
  • Excellent digital literacy and written skills
  • Evidence of the ability to analyse and interpret complex data
  • Evidence of delivering Programmes and project
Desirable criteria
  • Specialist knowledge of - Environmental Services/Energy Management/Green Issues/Net Zero/Clinical and non-clinical Waste Services
  • Understanding of building services and estates practice.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Apprenticeships logoNo smoking policyCare quality commission - GoodArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident employerStonewall equality policy. Equality and justice for lesbians, gay men, bisexual and trans people.Florence Nightingale FoundationNational Preceptorship for Nursing Quality Mark 2024

Applicant requirements

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Application numbers

This vacancy will automatically close when 50 applications have been received.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Ian Waddell (Work)
Job title
Head of Business Support and Development
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
07769303982
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