Head of Sustainability and Net Zero, Liverpool

Job Title: Head of Sustainability and Net Zero

Location: Liverpool

Liverpool City Council is proud to be investing in a new, dedicated Sustainability Team at the heart of the city. As part of our bold commitment to achieving Net Zero, we are seeking an exceptional individual to take on the role of Head of Sustainability and Net Zero—a senior leadership position that will shape the future of our city and drive forward our ambitious environmental agenda.

This is a rare opportunity to lead on the development and delivery of city-wide sustainability strategies and high-impact programmes that will transform how Liverpool operates, builds, travels, and grows. The successful candidate will play a central role in delivering the Council’s Net Zero Carbon Plan 2030, supporting the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority’s Five Year Climate Action Plan, and embedding sustainability across all aspects of Council operations and city life.

We are looking for a confident, strategic thinker with a strong track record of delivering sustainability outcomes in complex environments. You will be a natural leader, capable of inspiring teams, influencing senior stakeholders, and navigating the challenges of climate action with creativity and resilience.

The Role: 

• As Head of Sustainability and Net Zero, you will be responsible for the strategic leadership and operational delivery of Liverpool’s sustainability and decarbonisation agenda. You will lead a growing team of specialists and work closely with internal departments, external partners, and communities to deliver innovative, scalable, and investable solutions that support our transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient city.
• Your work will span a wide range of focus areas including:- Decarbonisation of Council buildings and operations- Green energy and heat networks- Sustainable transport and mobility- Low-carbon construction and retrofit- Waste reduction and circular economy initiatives- Climate adaptation and resilience- Community engagement and behaviour change
• You will also oversee major innovation projects such as Realising Net Zero Liverpool (funded by UKRI), and lead on the delivery of programmes such as Net Zero Living and the Advanced Zoning Programme.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Vision & Leadership:- Provide strategic leadership and vision for sustainability and Net Zero across the Council and city.
• Lead the development and implementation of policies, strategies, and action plans aligned with local, regional, and national climate goals.
• Build and manage a high-performing team, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Act as the Council’s principal advisor on sustainability, providing expert guidance to senior leaders, elected members, and external stakeholders.
• Oversee the delivery of complex, multi-stakeholder projects and programmes, ensuring outcomes are achieved on time, within budget, and to a high standard.- Manage budgets, resources, and risks effectively, identifying opportunities for income generation and external funding.
• Champion social value and environmental justice, ensuring that sustainability initiatives deliver tangible benefits for Liverpool’s communities.
• Represent the Council at regional and national forums, building strong partnerships with government, industry, academia, and civil society.

If you are passionate about sustainability and ready to lead transformational change, we want to hear from you.

A bit about us:

Liverpool is home to vibrant, energetic, and engaged communities, people who take real ownership of their local area and are passionate about making our city a better place. We've got ambitious targets to meet by 2025 and we need people who are driven, dynamic and ready to deliver the very best for our communities.  Public service is more important than ever, and this role represents a real opportunity to make a difference to our communities by transforming the way we work and placing our residents at the heart of everything we do. 

Working at Liverpool City Council provides an opportunity to contribute to your community and make a positive impact on the lives of residents. Our values shape how we work to deliver public services, and how we communicate with the residents we serve. We care about the best outcomes for local people, through our public services.

We are proud of our world-famous thriving city with its rich culture, as well as affordable housing, good schools, beautiful green spaces – there’s really something for everyone!

Our offer to you:

• At least 27 days holiday, plus bank holidays rising to 32 after 5 years’ service (pro rata if part time) - option to purchase further days
• Agile working (Role dependent) - A “Flexibility First” approach to Agile working where flexibility is the norm rather than the exception
• Part of the Local Government Pension scheme – option to join the AVC scheme
• Progression - opportunities and training through a wide range of high quality learning
• Health and Wellbeing - offer including Employee assistance programme
• Cycle to Work and Travel Pass Schemes 
• Drive Time – a salary sacrifice car lease scheme
• Family friendly policies with enhanced leave 
• Discounted Gym Memberships 
• Employee Volunteering Scheme 
• Medicash 

Next steps:

Closing date: Midnight Sunday 1st June 2005

Interview date: W/C Monday 9th June 2025

Should this role be of interest to you, please apply directly through Liverpool City Council website: https://jobs.liverpool.gov.uk/jobs/job/Head-of-Sustainability-and-Net-Zero/765

We reserve the right to close vacancies earlier than the specified date should we receive sufficient applications. If interested, please complete an application as early as possible.

If you would like any further information or an informal discussion, please contact Marek Dobrowolski - Marek.Dobrowolski@berwickpartners.co.uk or Corinne Attwood - Corinne.Attwood@berwickpartners.co.uk

Please note: this vacancy is classified as politically restricted position.