Location
Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire

Hours
Typically two days in the office and the remainder of the week working from home, with flexibility depending on role and team requirements.

Salary
£49,354 per annum

About the Role
Are you passionate about tackling climate change and improving lives? Join Buckinghamshire Council’s Climate Response Team as we deliver ambitious, real-world solutions to reduce emissions, cut energy bills, and support our most vulnerable residents. This is an exciting time to be part of our mission to address the challenge of climate change by delivering our Climate Change & Air Quality Strategy.

The Principal Climate Change Officer will lead on managing the Warm Homes: Local Grant, overseeing over £3 million in government funding to deliver energy efficiency and low carbon heating upgrades to low income homes across the county. You will manage the contract with our managing agent, liaise with the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero to fulfil reporting requirements, work alongside the RISE support service, and carry out project management activities including reporting to the project board. You will also ensure robust financial oversight of the budget and appropriate data handling.

In addition, you will lead projects to plan and deliver infrastructure supporting the transition to a low carbon energy system, collaborate with planning policy colleagues to develop a Buckinghamshire-wide local plan focused on sustainability, and work with the GSE Net Zero Hub to deliver retrofit funding for energy inefficient homes.

This role offers the opportunity to make a tangible difference, gain experience delivering a large-scale retrofit project, and contribute to a local response to the global climate change challenge. Buckinghamshire Council is a forward-looking organisation committed to positive change for local people, communities, and businesses, combining the strengths of the former five councils in the county.

Experience
- Substantial experience (ideally 5 years) in building decarbonisation, particularly domestic property sustainable energy projects.
- Excellent knowledge of sustainable energy technologies and whole house retrofit planning.
- Experience contributing to the development of procedures, service policies, or strategies.
- Proven project management skills with knowledge of methodologies and systems.
- Experience preparing and publishing invitations to tender/quote, awarding and managing contracts.
- Experience managing large budgets and securing/managing grant funding.
- Experience coordinating partnership working and representing the work area externally.
- Excellent knowledge of climate change mitigation and adaptation through the planning process.

About You
- Excellent interpersonal, persuasion, and negotiating skills with experience resolving escalated or complex customer queries.
- Authority and credibility to build relationships, influence, and engage successfully with colleagues, partners, and customers at all levels, including in politically sensitive situations.
- Strong planning, organisational, research, and analytical skills with the ability to identify complex problems and develop innovative solutions.
- Good ICT skills including Microsoft applications and specialist systems.
- Excellent time management skills to prioritise, set deadlines, and manage conflicting demands.
- Proven track record of using initiative, strategic and political awareness in problem solving and decision making.

Qualifications
Not explicitly stated, but substantial relevant experience and skills in sustainable energy projects and project management are essential.