Location
Central London

Hours
Flexible working pattern with typically two days in the office and remainder working from home

Salary
£49,354 per annum

About the Role
Buckinghamshire Council is a relatively new organisation combining the strengths of the previous five councils to create positive change for local people, communities, and businesses. The Council’s Climate Change and Air Quality Strategy, adopted in 2021, includes 60 actions to mitigate and adapt to climate change in Buckinghamshire. The Principal Climate Change Officer will lead projects to plan and deliver infrastructure supporting the transition to a low carbon energy system. This role involves collaboration with planning policy colleagues to develop a new Bucks-wide local plan focused on sustainability and leading projects with the GSE Net Zero Hub to deliver funding for retrofitting energy inefficient homes. As an ‘any-desk’ worker, you will connect to the Council’s network remotely or from the office as required, with an expectation to work from the office a couple of days per week depending on team needs.

About the Business Unit
The Planning, Growth and Sustainability directorate works with partners to shape Buckinghamshire’s future through planning, economic growth, regeneration, strategic infrastructure, transport, and property services. Key priorities include developing the economic narrative for Bucks, creating jobs, delivering infrastructure, and providing a proactive planning service that supports housing, regeneration, and public services. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to high-profile development and infrastructure projects that impact local residents and businesses.

Our Values and Culture
We are Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative, and Trustworthy. Buckinghamshire Council offers a fair and inclusive culture, health and well-being initiatives, ongoing career development, and opportunities to participate in social and fundraising activities. We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion, supporting flexible working to promote a productive and happy workforce. We seek individuals who share our commitment to fairness and inclusion and who want to make a difference in the community.

We Recognise and Reward You
We promote a good work-life balance with flexible and agile working arrangements. Benefits include discounts at cafés, restaurants, shops, a generous pension scheme, discounted gym memberships, travel discounts, and membership opportunities such as Costco.

Experience
- Substantial experience (ideally 5 years) in building decarbonisation, particularly domestic sustainable energy projects
- Excellent knowledge of sustainable energy technologies and whole house retrofit planning
- Experience contributing to procedures, service policies, or strategies
- Proven project management skills with understanding of methodologies and best practices
- Experience managing large budgets, securing and managing grant funding
- Experience preparing and managing invitations to tender/quote and contracts
- Ability to resolve complex customer queries with strong interpersonal, persuasion, and negotiation skills
- Experience coordinating partnership working and representing the work area externally
- Excellent knowledge of climate change mitigation and adaptation through the planning process

About You
- Authority and credibility to build relationships and influence colleagues, partners, and customers at all levels in complex or politically sensitive situations
- Excellent planning, organisational, research, and analytical skills to manage complex activities and develop innovative solutions
- Strong ICT skills including Microsoft applications and specialist systems
- Excellent time management skills to prioritise and meet deadlines amid conflicting demands
- Proven initiative, strategic thinking, and political awareness in problem solving and decision making

Qualifications
No specific qualifications stated, but substantial relevant experience and demonstrable skills are essential.