Sustainability Capability Manager

Job Advert

UKGBC: who we are

The UK Green Building Council is the industry network on a mission to radically transform the built environment in response to the climate and nature crises. We champion bold government action and bring together the full value chain of the industry to drive progress at pace and scale. This role offers an exceptional opportunity for a driven individual to be at the forefront of addressing these urgent challenges. The places where we live, work, gather, and play can—and must—be part of the solution, not the problem.

We are a multi-disciplinary team of passionate and skilled people from across the UK with a London office hub. As a green charity, we prize our welcoming and inclusive work culture, with wellbeing and professional development at its heart.

The role

We are seeking an exceptional Sustainability Capability Manager at this pivotal moment for our planet, people, and nature. This role will design and deliver engaging experiences that equip industry professionals and their organisations with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to accelerate the transition to a sustainable built environment. Through practical resources, interactive courses, collaborative partnerships, and tailored development opportunities you will help turn sustainability ambition into meaningful action.

The successful candidate will have strong sustainability knowledge and excellent communication and facilitation skills, able to translate complex topics into engaging and accessible experiences for diverse audiences. This role would suit someone with experience in sustainability, climate, or built environment-related work who is excited by helping and inspiring others to develop their knowledge, confidence, and capability. Formal Learning & Development experience is not essential. We are equally interested in candidates who have facilitated workshops, delivered training or engagement sessions, translated technical concepts for different audiences, managed stakeholders, or supported organisational and sector-wide change initiatives.

We are an equal-opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, or any protected characteristic. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels welcome and valued. Our commitment to inclusivity means we support flexible work arrangements, ensuring work-life balance for all. We prioritise accessibility and will gladly accommodate any needs upon request, as we believe in providing a barrier-free recruitment process.

We recognise that people of colour, those from different socio-economic backgrounds, and those from minoritised groups are currently underrepresented at all levels within the industry. We’re on the lookout for talented individuals with a wide range of skills and experiences and are eager to welcome candidates from underrepresented groups.

Key Responsibilities

Learning Portfolio (c. 40%)

• Co-design and facilitate engaging sustainability learning experiences that enhance the capabilities of diverse professional audiences across digital and in-person formats.
• Delivery and ongoing management of “Level 1” (foundational knowledge) learning products such as Moodle courses, email-based courses, bitesize guides, webinars, and video series. Ensuring effective delivery, engagement, content impact and improvement, and smooth operational coordination.
• Development and delivery of “Level 2” (knowledge application) such as masterclasses and site tours. Including content curation, stakeholder coordination, facilitation, communications, and logistics.
• Collaborate with UKGBC programmatic and policy teams to translate complex sustainability and built environment topics into engaging, practical, and accessible knowledge- and skills- building experiences.
• Liaise with external industry stakeholders to leverage knowledge-sharing opportunities and manage collaborative partnerships.
• Gathering, monitoring, and reporting learning impact data, analysing feedback, and ensuring continuous improvement across delivery formats and methods.
• Contribute to UKGBC’s annual operational planning. Work with the Head of Transformational Change to identify opportunities to evolve and expand the portfolio in response to sector needs, member feedback, and UKGBC strategic priorities. Including playing a key role in the scoping, development, and implementation of a UKGBC Academy.
• Work with Marketing & Communications and Membership colleagues to help identify target audiences, support engagement, and ensure learning opportunities are effectively promoted.
• Coordinate and engage the L&D Member Focus Group, using insights to inform portfolio improvements.
• Deliver member drop-in and information sessions to support engagement in learning opportunities.
• Manage and respond to enquiries via the shared learning inbox

Leadership Portfolio (c.25%)

• Monitor emerging sustainability capability gaps and work with the Head of Transformative Change to strategically develop the “Level 3” (leadership) portfolio.
• Support the delivery of elements of UKGBC’s Leadership Programmes, including facilitation and coaching.
• Content development and co-delivery of UKGBC’s new Early Careers leadership programme.

Tailored Training (c.25%)

• Undertake sustainability capability assessments with organisations across the built environment to determine their learning and skills development needs.
• Draft proposals and contribute to the development of bespoke learning offers and income opportunities.
• Co-design, develop, and deliver tailored learning solutions that support individual development and organisational transformation.

Team Activities and Personal Development (10%)

• Engage with relevant UKGBC members to ensure interaction, impact, and long-term retention.
• Represent UKGBC as a spokesperson at industry meetings, conferences, and events to raise your profile and promote our key messages.
• Foster and maintain relationships with strategically important industry organisations and potential funding partners
• Participate in regular meetings related to UKGBC operations, strategy, and workstreams.
• Upskill and support colleagues by sharing expertise, facilitation approaches, and best practice.
• Contribute to a collaborative, high-performing, and supportive team culture that motivates and empowers.
• Champion organisational culture and values and act as a role model for wider team members.

Ideal Candidate – Person and Skills:

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  Mission: A commitment to tackling the climate and ecological crises, aligned with the UKGBC mission.
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  Integrity: An inclusive approach that conveys and embeds honesty and transparency as standard.
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  Attitude: A positive, proactive, problem-solving approach with agility to perform duties that may be outside core accountabilities.
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  Teamwork and Leadership: Ability to work within a multidisciplinary and diverse team, with leadership skills that motivate others and create a positive working environment.
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  Communication: Strong verbal, written communication and presentation skills, with ability to share complex ideas and concepts in a consistently clear manner.
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  Interpersonal: Strong emotional intelligence and influencing skills.
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  Project management: Efficient planning, organisational, and time management skills.
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  Administration: Strong administrative and computer literacy skills (standard software packages, mainly Microsoft Office), Advanced Excel skills.
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  Strategic and critical thinking: Creative with aptitude for horizon scanning, decision-making, and problem-solving. Including qualitative, quantitative, and digital research and analysis skills.
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  Stakeholder engagement: Professional approach to stakeholder management and engagement across diverse audiences and multiple platforms, with robust judgment in how to present information to key stakeholders.

Ideal Candidate – Person and Skills:

• Significant experience in an advisory, consultancy, learning and development, facilitation, or commercial role (typically seen via a 5+ year career, but alternative ways of demonstrating equivalent experience considered).
• Knowledge and understanding of holistic sustainability topics within the context of the UK built environment.
• Experience facilitating workshops, delivering training or engagement sessions, translating technical concepts for different audiences, and supporting organisational and sector-wide change initiatives.
• Knowledge of professional learning needs, leadership development, and how to deliver learning outcomes.
• Coaching skills or qualification.
• Network of established relationships across built environment stakeholders.
• Understanding of and exposure to digital learning platforms or learning management systems.
• Cross-departmental resource allocation and third-party appointments.
• Experience of generating income and developing new business, and developing and managing budgets.
• Charitable / NGO sector experience.