Sustainability Lead (City)

Job Introduction

As Sustainability Lead (City) you'll lead our efforts in reducing the 96% of emissions in Milton Keynes that lie beyond the city council's direct control.

This is a new role being introduced in our Economic Development service, the team responsible for Invest Milton Keynes (the city's inward investment and promotion agency), the city sustainability agenda, regional working, and smart cities and innovation initiatives. The department leads on many external relationships and initiatives in the City of Milton Keynes and is based in our central Civic offices.

Significant projects currently underway include the city's participation in the EU's Net Zero Cities programme, and our joint working with Santander UK on the Tomorrow's Homes programme.

This role involves creating strategic partnerships with businesses, educational institutions, community groups, and citizens, to advance Milton Keynes' sustainability goals.

This is a site-based role.

Interviews will be held on 19 and 27 June.

Milton Keynes City Council is a modern and friendly place to work. Find out more about working with us here:

Main Responsibility

Strategic leadership: You will lead on delivering the Milton Keynes Sustainability Strategy and Action Plan, ensuring all initiatives are delivered from inception to completion.

Partnership building: You will develop and secure strategic partnerships with external organisations, including businesses, schools, and community groups, to drive Milton Keynes' climate goals. You will work closely with the Sustainability Lead (Council), who leads on reducing the City Council's own emissions, to build capacity and deepen the understanding of sustainability across the organisation.

Programme management: You will oversee and grow our city-focused projects such as the Net Zero MK programme, school and business community engagement, and our participation in the Net Zero Cities programme.

Funding generation: You will proactively identify and secure external funding opportunities to support the City Council's sustainability initiatives.

Communication and engagement: You will lead work to better communicate the Council's work with citizens and businesses, through web and social media presences

The Ideal Candidate

• An expert in sustainability, with a depth of experience working in a sustainability role, able to act as a recognised expert within the City Council.
• Educated to degree level or above in sustainability or other relevant environmental subjects.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, confident influencing partners external to the council, including businesses, VCSE partners, and public sector partners, to achieve the City's goals.
• Good understanding of communication and engagement.
• Experienced in project management.
• Experienced in bid development, searching for funding opportunities and securing external funding to support delivery of strategic aims.
• Understanding of sustainability issues in a local authority context.
• Capable of prioritising own workload, managing complex issues, and working proactively.

Package Description

In addition to your salary, we offer a range of benefits including:

• Great holiday benefits - most roles include 28 days annual leave every year on top of public (bank) holidays, increasing to 32 days after five years. In addition, there is a holiday purchase scheme allowing staff to purchase up to 5 additional days of leave each year.
• Excellent pension - everyone who works for us can join the national Local Government Pension Scheme, widely regarded as one of the best available.
• A full range of family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, adoption and paternity support and a childcare subsidy.
• Access to an award-winning employee benefits programme that includes a health cash plan, a low-cost bike purchase scheme as well as high street discounts and money off entertainment and travel.
• Salary sacrifice car scheme - low-cost leasing of electric and low emission vehicles.
• Blue Light Card - employees working within social care can qualify for an additional range of discounts from national retailers and local businesses.

Why join us? Along with more on our Benefits, discover why Working at the City Council could be the right move for you here Working at the Council Milton Keynes

Our roles are either designated 'site based' or 'home based'. 'Site based' roles can include up to two days a week working from home whilst 'home based' roles are based at home four days a week. Of course, managers designate which category roles are in based on the needs of the service and the circumstances.

About The Organisation

Milton Keynes City Council is a large, modern and financially stable employer with around 2,500 people working across our eight areas. Together we provide local residents and businesses with a wide range of important round-the-clock services and aim to make our city a better place to live.

We work hard because of the demands placed on us, like protecting children from harm or preventing homelessness. However, working for the city is always rewarding and everyone has the opportunity to make a real difference.

We're very proud of our diversity and are committed to having a workforce that reflects the community we serve. Whatever your background, you will be welcome here if you share our values of being dedicated, respectful and collaborative.

We offer great training and support and because of the size and scale of the organisation there are always new opportunities to explore when it's time for a new role.

If you'd like to know more about how we do things and what matters to us, take a look at our short booklet What makes us Milton Keynes City Council.