Head of Net Zero

Are you someone who is skilled at turning an organisation’s ambition into action?

Are you passionate about preserving and sustaining the environment for future generations?

Do you have innovative ideas about tackling the effects of climate change and reducing harmful emissions on a large scale?

We’re looking for a pioneering leader with the ability to turn the council’s Net Zero ambitions into a reality, creating meaningful, lasting change whilst unlocking economic opportunities and sustainability benefits.

You will bring expertise in decarbonisation and biodiversity to deliver end-to-end Net Zero transformation. Through your creativity and passion, coupled with experience in harnessing technology, insights and data, you will drive our local response to the global climate and biodiversity emergencies.

If this sounds like you, we would love to hear from you as we recruit to this key role in our new Net Zero team.

About the role

As Head of Net Zero you’ll report to the Assistant Director for City Development & Regeneration and be responsible for driving forward the council’s strategic ambitions for Net Zero carbon and biodiversity. Your remit will include:

• Shaping the council’s Net Zero carbon and biodiversity strategy.
• Delivering large-scale, high-impact projects designed to draw in external funding to support the city council’s Net Zero ambitions.
• Developing strategic and commercial partnerships, leading on joint ventures to protect the environment and increase the city’s climate resilience.
• Coordinating resources to drive forward projects and interdisciplinary cooperation for the benefit of the Living Coast UNESCO Biosphere.

You will have:

• The ability to think strategically and create a clear plan for achieving desired aims.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to build strong professional partnerships and collaborate to leverage interest and investment in projects and activities.
• Highly developed data analysis and interpretation skills and the ability to translate data and evidence into a compelling case for change.
• The ability to work sensitively in a political environment and tactfully influence and challenge decision-makers.
• Skills in leadership and building successful, delivery-focused teams.

In return, you will receive:

• competitive pay
• full induction and on-going development and training
• paid annual leave
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• family friendly policies
• staff discount scheme and staff travel benefits, cycle loan
• rental deposit scheme and more
• If you need to relocate to Brighton & Hove and currently live 25 miles or more away from the City, we can offer up to £2,500 to help with the cost of moving to the City.

Check ‘Why work for us’ (brighton-hove.gov.uk) to find out more.

Key dates:

Closing date: 7th July 2024

Shortlisted candidates will be contacted week commencing 8th July 2024

Interviews: 18th and 19th July 2024

For further information about the role and how it fits within Brighton & Hove City Council please see the candidate pack attached.

Application process CV and shortlisting questions

For an informal discussion, please contact Max.Woodford@brighton-hove.gov.uk

This role is politically restricted. For further information on what this means for employees in post, please click on the document attachment below

Please read our Apply for a job at the council (brighton-hove.gov.uk) pages carefully. They give you all the guidance you need to complete your application as well as information on what will happen after you’ve submitted your application and at interview.

As part of your application, you will need to upload your CV and answers to some shortlisting questions. Your answers to the shortlisting questions are the most important part of your application as they will be used in the shortlisting process to assess whether you meet the essential requirements for the role that are set out in the person specification and to decide whether you should be offered an interview. Before you start your application, please read our guidance here (CV guidance (brighton-hove.gov.uk) and Shortlisting questions guidance (brighton-hove.gov.uk) as this gives important advice which will increase your chance of success in the shortlisting process.

Additional information

Your starting salary will be pro rata if the above position is less than 37 hours or term-time only.

We offer the opportunity for the suitable candidate to choose to work in a hybrid way. Your specific working arrangements will be subject to team and service working arrangements already in place. Your contractual location will be the designated council office for your team and travel to and from your contractual location would be at your own expense.

For more information about our values and the benefits of working at the council, visit Why work for us (brighton-hove.gov.uk)

Company information

Encouraging a diverse workforce

Our city is known and loved for its diversity. Not only is the mixture of people, culture and skills vital to the economic and social development of the city, it's what makes Brighton & Hove such a great place to live, work and visit. We are committed to developing and retaining a workforce that is representative of the diverse communities we serve so we welcome applications from individuals from all backgrounds. In order to achieve our aims of proportionate representation, we particularly encourage applicants from a BME or White Other background as well as those who identify as disabled, female or trans.

Find out more about our commitment to being a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone can achieve their potential by reading about our fair and inclusive actions, our anti-racism strategy and the work we are doing to encourage a diverse workforce (brighton-hove.gov.uk).

Closing date: 7 July 2024.