Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Leeds, Manchester, Nottingham Job Summary The Government Property Agency is the largest property holder in government, with more than £2.1 billion in property assets and over 55% of the government’s office estate. We are transforming the way the Civil Service works by creating great places to work, leading the largest commercial office programme in the UK, working towards halving carbon emissions from government offices, and achieving greater value for taxpayers. And we are looking for innovative, solutions-focused people to join our team. Representing the best covenant in the UK – His Majesty’s Government – we are leading transformational programmes such as the Government Hubs Programme, Whitehall Campus Programme and Net Zero Programme, as well as delivering modern, cost-effective real estate service solutions. Innovation and progress are at the heart of our behaviours. We foster a culture of lifelong learning, where curiosity and self-improvement are encouraged. And we’re dedicated to becoming a leading, inclusive employer both in the external market and throughout the Civil Service. Our strong emphasis on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) is not just about driving inclusion across our organisation, it is also about ensuring our services meet the needs of government departments and the civil servants who use our spaces. Join our dynamic and diverse team that leads with purpose, improving sustainability, nurturing social value, driving inclusivity and flexibility, and kick-starting economic growth. We are driven by purpose, and you can be part of it too: where you make a meaningful impact; where you influence; where your voice really matters; where you help to shape our future direction. Job Description The Sustainability Manager will be responsible for the provision of strategic and operational advice to areas of GPA responsible for delivering the sustainability elements of the design guide, policies, specifications and design standards that underpin the Innovation & Assurance function. They will advise on BREEAM credits, ISO14001, IEMA accredited training and sustainability reporting. They will provide expert sustainability advice and guidance to colleagues and stakeholders at all layers of GPA’s governance. Key Responsibilities The Sustainability Manager will be responsible for: advice to Hubs projects on exceeding minimum BREEAM requirements, ENE01, and NZP interventions to move towards Net Zero; taking forward the Spending Review Sustainability recommendations; advice to three Hubs projects seeking to achieve, and 14 projects already committed to achieving, the three Man 05 BREEAM credits for Aftercare; working with Workplace Services colleagues to achieve our ISO14001 ambition by installing our own EMS; contributing to courses delivered through GPA’s IEMA certified Training Centre; and leading the transition process moving GPA’s prototype Reporting Tool to in-house BAU use by Workplace Services and the Data Team. The Sustainability Manager will be responsible for the provision of strategic and operational advice to areas of GPA responsible for delivering the sustainability elements of the design guide, policies, specifications and design standards that underpin the Innovation & Assurance function. They will advise on BREEAM credits, ISO14001, IEMA accredited training and sustainability reporting. They will provide expert sustainability advice and guidance to colleagues and stakeholders at all layers of GPA’s governance. The Sustainability Manager Will Be Responsible For advice to Hubs projects on exceeding minimum BREEAM requirements, ENE01, and NZP interventions to move towards Net Zero; taking forward the Spending Review Sustainability recommendations; advice to three Hubs projects seeking to achieve, and 14 projects already committed to achieving, the three Man 05 BREEAM credits for Aftercare; working with Workplace Services colleagues to achieve our ISO14001 ambition by installing our own EMS; contributing to courses delivered through GPA’s IEMA certified Training Centre; and leading the transition process moving GPA’s prototype Reporting Tool to in-house BAU use by Workplace Services and the Data Team. Person specification Essential Criteria Demonstrable Built Environment Sustainability subject matter leadership experience within a complex customer environment. Must have expertise in sustainability in a property perspective and experience of implementation and delivery of sustainability strategies, policies, guidance and advice within large and complex organisations. Ability to interpret and understand business needs of multiple clients in order to build positive relationships and to ensure outstanding results and value in the delivery of client driven services. Experience of working within a multi-discipline team in a service delivery environment. Able to work collaboratively and provide valuable insight and support across the team as a whole and across the wider GPA. Experience of managing contracting and consultancy services, with a focus on quality and value of delivery, through excellent supplier management. Ability to work autonomously, prioritising tasks effectively in order to meet deadlines (both internal and external) and communicating progress wherever necessary. Exceptional communication skills including report writing and business cases with experience of presenting at senior levels within a complex organisation. Strong analytical skills and technology literate. The ability to interpret data and to analyse as well as create effective management information to support decision-making. Desirable Criteria 4 years Built Environment experience. Track record of maintaining sustainability learning through CPD Ability to demonstrate exceptional service delivery in a similar working environment. Ability to think strategically/analytically. Essential Qualifications Must be qualified to degree level in a sustainability related subject and holding or working towards CEnv. Qualifications Must be qualified to degree level in a sustainability related subject and holding or working towards CEnv. Alongside your salary of £54,285, Government Property Agency contributes £15,726 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides. Learning and development tailored to your role An environment with flexible working options A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97% Generous annual leave Selection process details We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the communities and wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and well-being and aim to create a sense of belonging in a workplace where everyone feels valued.The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service D&I Strategy. Sift The sift is due to take place week commencing 25th November 2024. As part of the application process, you will be asked to send your CV and a 1700-word personal statement to GPASustainabilitymiles-advisory.com. The personal statement should then align with the person specification. Interview Applicants successful at sift will be invited to interviews, which are due to take place week commencing 9th December 2024 in the Birmingham office. You must be willing to travel to any of the GPA locations for your interview. If you are unable to attend a face to face interview due to extenuating circumstances, we advise that you reach out to the recruitment admin team to find out if alternative means can be arranged prior to submitting your application. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment. Security Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks. Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks. Nationality requirements This Job Is Broadly Open To The Following Groups UK nationals nationals of the Republic of Ireland nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window) nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020 Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window) Working for the Civil Service The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy. The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy. Diversity and Inclusion The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window). This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative. The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window). Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records. Contact point for applicants Job Contact Name : Miles Advisory Email : GPASustainabilitymiles-advisory.com Recruitment team Email : recruitmentgpa.gov.uk Further information The Department’s recruitment processes are underpinned by the requirement of selection for appointment based on merit, open and fair competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles, details of which can be found at http://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact the GPA People Team by email at HRgpa.gov.uk, in the first instance. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive you can further contact the Civil Service Commission at: Email: civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk or in writing to: Civil Service Commission Room G/8 1 Horse Guards Road London SW1A 2HQ.