Job overview

The NHS has committed to becoming the world's first net zero health service. At Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, that ambition is live, supported, and moving fast. We now need an exceptional leader to drive it forward.

This is a genuinely rare opportunity. As Head of Sustainability, you will lead our Green Plan from strategy into delivery: shaping how a busy integrated Trust serving over half a million patients reduces its carbon footprint, builds climate resilience, and embeds sustainability into everyday clinical and operational practice.

You will have real authority and real resources. The role is funded, Board-supported, and sits within a Property Services leadership team that is already delivering major sustainability projects, including the completion of the Wycombe Hospital de-steaming scheme.

If you would like to find out more before applying, you are warmly encouraged to contact Matt Taylor, Director of Estates, directly at [email protected].

To understand the scale and ambition of what you will be leading, we encourage you to read our Green Plan 2025 to 2028 before applying: Green Plan 2025 to 2028 - Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust

Main duties of the job

Senior leadership role owning the Trust's sustainability agenda, reporting to the Director of Estates and providing assurance to the Board, Executive Team, and NHS England on statutory obligations and Net Zero targets.

You will chair the Sustainability Committee, lead the Green Champions Network, and represent BHT in ICS and NHS England forums, influencing at Board level and holding teams and partners to account for delivery.

You will lead energy efficiency and carbon reduction programmes, oversee Heat Decarbonisation Plans across all sites, and provide sustainability assurance on capital projects against the NHS Net Zero Building Standard and whole-life carbon principles.

You will develop investment proposals, pursue external funding, embed the NHS Net Zero Supplier Roadmap into procurement, and manage utility budgets and energy contracts.

You will lead the Sustainable Travel Plan, waste reduction, biodiversity strategy, and sustainable food agenda, ensuring each contributes measurably to Green Plan targets.

You will own mandatory returns including ERIC, Greener NHS, ESOS, and UK ETS, and build the systems needed to evidence performance to the Board and regulators.

We are looking for a senior sustainability professional with expertise in environmental legislation, carbon management, and NHS frameworks, a proven track record in a complex organisation, and the leadership skills to inspire and make sustainability a shared endeavour at every level.

Working for our organisation

 Why colleagues think we are "a great place to work!"

What does Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust offer you?

As part of our BHT family, you’ll benefit from learning and development opportunities to support your career progression.

Alongside NHS benefits of generous annual leave entitlement and pension scheme, you'll have access to NHS discount schemes. 

We provide a range of health and wellbeing services to promote a healthy, happy workforce.

What do we stand for?

Our vision is to provide outstanding care, support healthy communities and be a great place to work.

Our mission is to provide personal and compassionate care every time.

We are working hard to increase diversity at all levels within the trust. We believe a diverse workforce can have a positive effect on both staff wellbeing and patient outcomes.

We welcome applications from black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+ candidates, candidates with disabilities and care-experienced candidates.

We are proud to achieve the Gold award for the Armed Forces Covenant and support applications from the Armed Forces Community. Please contact [email protected] (our Armed Forces Covenant Lead) if you would like guidance or assistance with your application.

We make employment decisions by matching our service needs with the skills and experience of candidates, regardless of age, disability, gender, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.