Head of Sustainability - University of Sussex

THE ROLE Job Title:

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Set the departmental direction and vision ensuring service and departmental culture are in strategic alignment with the institution. • Support the development of others, providing leadership and coaching in area of expertise. • Foster an ethos of continuous improvement. 2. Service Delivery • Working within overall University policy and procedure, ensure the effective management of responsibilities in the area of expertise. Plan and allocate resources to support the achievement of departmental targets and objectives. • Development of departmental/functional strategic plans. • Ensure effective service delivery within area of responsibility. • Provide reports and other communication media internally and externally as appropriate. To Undertake analysis, interpretation and presentation of complex and conflicting information to inform decisions related to subject area. • Identify critical issues when resolving problems particularly where there is complex or competing information and use University strategy and objectives to make decisions. 3. Strategy and Planning • Based on a broad and deep set of knowledge and experience, set strategic direction in areas of responsibility. • Shape policy development and provide guidance on strategic agenda. • Ensure appropriate governance is in place for area of expertise. • Ensure that policies, standards and design guides are maintained in line with legislation and best practice. • Ensure that the University is in a position to benefit from external funding opportunities relating to Sustainability through the timely preparation of grant applications.

Head of Sustainability

4. Customers and Stakeholders • Proactively engage with internal and external stakeholders, colleagues or students to ensure the effective delivery of strategic objectives, initiate and develop relationships, providing analysis of data and information to inform decisions as necessary, showing appropriate sensitivity when needed. • Persuade, influence and negotiate as appropriate to further the objectives of the University. • Create and lead a community-facing approach to Sustainability related initiatives. This will include developing and implementing mutually beneficial activities and representing the University on a variety of external boards, organisations, associations and conferences, raising the profile and reputation of the University. 5. Reporting • Lead the University’s reporting of Sustainability metrics including the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, QS Sustainability Rankings, People and Planet League, Sustainable Leadership Score Card and have editorial responsibility for the production of the University’s annual sustainability report. • Report to official University groups related to Sustainability, including University Executive Team and subordinate committees, and the Sustainability Programme Steering Group. To carry out any other duties that are within the employee’s skills and abilities whenever reasonably instructed.

G9

• Provide leadership to a number of teams, promote and maintain a high-quality Professional Services department, engendering a culture of continuous improvement. • Responsible for setting the standards of delivery in areas of responsibility and ensuring appropriate resources are available. • Set direction and vision for departments ensuring resulting policies are in alignment with strategic objectives. • Work in partnership with other internal and external stakeholders to ensure strategic alignment of service. • Lead the development, review and delivery of the Sustainability Strategy. • Lead the implementation of the Carbon Management Plan. • Provide expert advice to the University Executive Team and other key stakeholders on matters of policy and strategy relating to Sustainability. • Act as the operational lead on all aspects of stakeholder engagement on sustainability including behaviour, culture and business change programmes and collaborating closely with communications and marketing colleagues to promote sustainability in all forms of media, marketing and promotional materials.

Grade:

Estates, Facilities & Commercial Services

School/Division:

Bramber House

Location:

Deputy Director of Estates

Responsible to:

Responsible for: Sustainability Engagement Officer, Interim Net Zero Policy Officer, Senior Sustainability Performance Officer, Graduate Associates x 2, Additional posts to be recruited as part of the Sustainability Programme Role description: The Head of Sustainability will be responsible for providing strategic direction to the University on “full-service” sustainability (social, community, environmental and economic as defined by the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals) and for implementing the Sustainability Strategy, including decarbonisation and energy reduction, environmental management and Scope 3 emissions, as well as sustainable education and research. This role will oversee the development of a front facing team that will offer expert advice, co-ordination and stakeholder engagement, and business and behavioural change across the University from environmental issues within Estates to embedding social impact and sustainability within teaching, learning, operations and research, as well as engaging and developing joint Sustainability proposals with external bodies.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Departmental Leadership • Provide leadership across a number of teams, setting standards of service, targets and objectives. • Ensure the appropriate allocation of resources to achieve targets and objectives including the selection, induction, performance management and development of all members of the department.

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