Climate Response Team Leader

Overview

The Climate Response Team Leader is responsible for managing and developing the Climate Response Team, which provides expert technical and professional services in relation to climate change mitigation and adaptation, and sustainable energy initiatives.

This is an excellent opportunity for those who are passionate about addressing climate change, and have personnel and comprehensive climate change mitigation/adaptation project management experience, to join an innovative and dynamic team. It’s expected that the individual chosen for the role will build on the impressive progress made so far regarding the Bucks Tree Mission; domestic energy saving projects (e.g. the Warm Homes Local Grant) and other schemes; and the council’s Climate Change & Air Quality Strategy, pursuant to helping achieve net-zero carbon ambitions.

About us

The Climate Change and Flood Risk Management (CCFRM Team) is part of the Planning, Growth and Sustainability Directorate at Buckinghamshire Council and manages the council’s response to climate change as well as managing flood risk in Buckinghamshire.  The Team is composed of the Climate Response Team, the Domestic Resource Efficiency Service, the Flood Management Team, the Sustainable Drainage Team, Project Groundwater, and the Capital Flood Programme Team.

The CCFRM Team helps households reduce their energy consumption and carbon emissions; manages a large tree planting programme; delivers the council’s Climate Change and Air Quality Strategy and the statutory duties of the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) [under the Flood and Water Management Act (2010) and Land Drainage Act (1991)]; develops and delivers a wide range of flood management and research projects; and guides the flood management approach regarding large infrastructure projects.

The Climate Response Team is currently made up of four full time officers and a team leader. The Climate Response Team Leader is responsible for leading the Team’s activity, which includes the management of significant projects and programmes; policy development; data and information analyses and reporting; and securing and managing funding.

The Team Leader is also tasked with ensuring that the Team works effectively with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders, providing information, advice and support to enable others to respond to climate change and ensure that climate change impacts are considered in the delivery of all council services. Implementing new/improved service aspects to help enhance the Team’s performance; and contributing to the development of plans and strategies relevant the service area are important aspects of the role.

About the role

The main responsibilities and duties of the Climate Response Team Leader include:

• Leading and managing the Climate Response Team, and complex projects and programmes addressing climate change and energy sustainability.
• Effectively managing budgets (revenue and capital), funding, contracts and resources.
• Supporting the design, development and implementation of new/improved service aspects to help achieve the commitments in the council’s Climate Change & Air Quality Strategy and enhance the Team’s performance and reputation.
• Building and maintaining good working relationships, and communicating and consulting effectively with all stakeholders to ensure integrated service delivery.

For full details please see the attached job summary.

About you

We are looking for an individual with significant initiative, and strategic and political awareness, that has substantial career experience regarding the successful delivery of climate change mitigation and adaptation projects/programmes. You will have expert knowledge of the policies, legislation, solutions, and national and local targets relating to climate change; and excellent commercial awareness with a history of successfully managing budgets and achieving targets. Procurement and contract management, and excellent communication, customer service, ICT, planning, and analysis skills are essential.

You will need to be able to manage a complex workload, be educated to degree level and have had experience of coordinating partnership working, managing staff, and developing procedures and policies.

Other information

Please see the attached job summary for further information about the role.

As an ‘any-desk’ worker, you’ll need to be connected to our network to access digital folders and resources, but this can either be from home or an office location when required. You will be required to work from the office at least two days a week.

Closing date: 01/02/26

Interview date: To be confirmed

Interview-type / process: In person at Walton Street Offices, Walton Street, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP20 1UA.

If you would like to have an informal conversation with the recruiting manager, please contact Alexander Beckett, Climate Change and Flood Risk Manager, via email: [email protected]

This post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare:

• All unspent cautions and/or unspent convictions

For further information on how long it takes for cautions and convictions cautions to become spent, please refer to our guide on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (updated 2023) | Nacro

We understand that candidates may use AI tools to assist with their applications. While we welcome innovation, we expect all submissions to reflect your own experience, skills, and achievements accurately. Please ensure your application is truthful and demonstrates your personal capabilities, as this will be assessed during the selection process.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy once we have received sufficient applications, so please be advised to submit your application as early as possible.

Our values and culture

We have a set of values, which our employees have chosen, that represent what we are – Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative and Trustworthy.

By joining Buckinghamshire Council, you can expect:

• a fair and inclusive culture
• the chance to really make a difference to those around you
• health and well-being initiatives including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and mindfulness workshops
• a unified voice through our Employee Representative Group
• ongoing support, and the opportunity to develop and progress in your career with us
• opportunities to take part in fun activities such as fundraising and social events

At Buckinghamshire Council, we know that our biggest strength comes from the people that work for us, and that’s why we’re working hard to ensure we continue to be an accessible and inclusive organisation.

From dedicated staff networks overseen by our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group, to proudly standing as a Disability Confident employer, it’s important to us that all our colleagues feel engaged, listened to, and valued. Our offer of flexible working empowers a productive and happy workforce and allows employees to combine work with other responsibilities and commitments.

We believe our workforce should reflect the diverse communities we service in Buckinghamshire, and are looking for like-minded individuals to join us in promoting equality, fairness, and inclusion for everyone.

About the Business Unit

Our Planning, Growth and Sustainability directorate works with partners to help shape the future of Buckinghamshire.  We deliver services on planning, economic growth, regeneration, strategic infrastructure, transport and property.

 Our key priorities include developing the economic narrative for Bucks, creating more jobs and delivering the right infrastructure to help businesses and residents thrive. We also aim to provide a proactive planning service that is responsive, whilst making the best use of the Council’s land and property portfolio. This will in turn support community services and create housing, jobs, regeneration and income to support public services.

 It’s a great time to join one of our teams. As part of the Planning, Growth and Sustainability function you will not only get to help shape the economic future of Buckinghamshire; you’ll also be involved in delivering high-profile development projects and work on some of the biggest infrastructure projects in the UK. You will support us to deliver the results that our local residents and businesses deserve.

We recognise and reward you

Hard work and success deserves recognition. That’s why we pride ourselves on the benefits we give our people. We actively encourage a good work-life balance and promote flexible and agile working arrangements. We provide discounts on various Cafés, restaurants, shops and auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme. In addition to the opportunity to gain membership to Costco, we have discounted gym memberships, travel discounts with Arriva and much more.

https://jobs.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/working-buckinghamshire-council/