Group Deputy Head of Sustainability

Job summary

The NHS published "Delivering a Net Zero NHS" in 2020 to outline the NHS strategy to become net zero, this became statutory guidance in 2022. HHP has recently published its updated Green Plan, outlining the Group's environmental goals for the next five years and beyond.

You will play a central part in putting the plan into action, providing expert advice and guidance on sustainability across the Trust.Leading the delivery and ongoing development of a strong, credible sustainability programme, enabling the Group to meet and, where possible, exceed its obligations on carbon reduction, climate resilience and Net Zero.

You will work as part of a small team of energy and sustainability specialists, responsible for embedding sustainable practices and climate adaptation measures across all areas of the organisation in response to a changing climate. The role will be group wide supporting both Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust in its sustainability aims.

Main duties of the job

• Support the Group Associate Director of Sustainability to monitor and deliver the Green Plan, aligning with NHS Net Zero Building Standard, Greener NHS policy, and statutory rules.
• Deputise at internal and external meetings as required, representing the Group with confidence and credibility.
• Lead sustainability programmes across estates, facilities, procurement, supply chain, travel, transport, medicines, clinical practice, waste and digital.
• Partner with clinical, operational, and corporate teams to embed sustainable practices.
• Manage emissions data. Produce accurate, timely reporting for committees, boards, regulators, and national NHS returns.
• Identify, develop, and secure funding. Build robust business cases proving financial, environmental and health benefits.
• Lead, develop and motivate multidisciplinary teams across the Group.
• Experience in sustainability, environmental, estates, or strategic change roles, ideally within the NHS.
• Track record of delivering large-scale change and measurable carbon reductions.
• Knowledge of the Greener NHS programme, net zero policy, carbon accounting, and climate legislation
• Excellent communication (written/verbal), negotiation, presentation, and data analysis skills for non-specialists.
• Collaborative leader who builds trust from frontline teams to the board.
• Committed to NHS values and passionate about sustainability's link to population health.

About us

The Humber Health Partnership is one of the largest acute and community Partnership arrangements in the NHS, seeing well over one million patients every year and managing a budget of over £1.3 billion.

Made up of two Trusts - Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust (NLAG) and Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (HUTH) - our Partnership has significant ambitions and is committed to delivering world-class hospital and community services for the 1.65 million people we serve.

Together we employ nearly 20,000 staff. Our five main hospital sites are Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital, Scunthorpe General Hospital and Goole and District Hospital, for NLAG and Hull Royal Infirmary and Castle Hill Hospital for HUTH.

As Teaching Hospitals working with the Hull York Medical School, we both lead and contribute to research in many areas - biomedical research, primary care, palliative medicine, cardiovascular and respiratory medicine, vascular surgery, cancer surgery and oncology.

We believe that by developing a diverse, inclusive, innovative, skilled and caring workforce, we can deliver excellent care to our patients and a great future for our employees, our Partnership and our community.

Job responsibilities

For further details with regard to this vacancy opportunity, please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification.

We reserve the right to close the advert early in the event of high levels of interest. Therefore, early applications are encouraged.

We welcome applications from candidates who require Skilled Worker Visa sponsorship to work in the UK, and these will be considered alongside all other applications in line with our commitment to equality and inclusion.

Applicants can determine their potential eligibility for a Certificate of Sponsorship by reviewing the Skilled Worker Visa criteria set out by UKVI on the gov.uk website.

Person specification

Application Completion

Essential

• ALL sections of application form FULLY completed

Education/ Qualifications

Essential

• Educated to Master's Degree Level (or equivalent specialist knowledge or experience) in a management or environmental or other relevant discipline.

Desirable

• IOSH Health and Safety Qualification
• Environmental/ Waste Qualification
• Membership of relevant professional body such as the Institute of Environmental management and Assessment (IEMA) or equivalent
• Project management qualification

Knowledge, Training & Experience

Essential

• Specialist knowledge of national and local environmental and sustainability issues
• Operate with a high level of autonomy, working independently and without supervision in the delivery of the sustainability programme in line with national guidelines.
• Highly developed specialist knowledge across the range of environmental and sustainability practices, underpinned by theoretical knowledge from study and relevant practical experience
• Knowledge of relevant NHS guidance
• Able to motivate and influence others, and to develop shared ownership at all levels and to respond to the needs of a wide range of stakeholders
• Demonstrated capability to plan over short, medium and long-term timeframes and adjust plans and resource requirements accordingly
• Standard keyboard skills with computer application experience including Microsoft Word, Excel with an aptitude for presenting and reading data and narrative reports
• Knowledge of reducing energy and waste usage and reducing carbon emissions
• Able to plan and manage a delegated budget, expenditure and cost control on delegated projects, ensuring that requirements are identified for staffing and training
• Experience of delivering an environmental or sustainability role within a complex organisation
• Wide ranging experience of leading change initiatives through to successful delivery
• Experience of managing projects across teams and providers; using the full project cycle
• Experience of building strong and effective relationships with diverse stakeholders both internally and externally
• Experience of preparing business plans, grant applications, strategies or other similar documents
• Experience of carrying out environmental audits and surveys
• Experience of developing, submitting and delivering funding bids.

Communication and Interpersonal Skills

Essential

• Good communication - verbal/written
• Be able to work on own initiative
• Works well with in a team
• Demonstrates understanding of confidentiality
• Participate in standard setting and research projects
• Evidence showing clinical and professional development
• To be able to plan, assess, evaluate and implement a project.
• Facilitate learning of others.

Other Requirements

Essential

• Highly effective professional leadership
• Ability to work across different organisational sites
• Professional appearance
• Ability to successfully maintain professional relationships
• Self- motivated and self-driven
• Ability to challenge the status quo
• Highly motivated