Environment Strategy Programme Manager

Role Responsibility

We are looking for an enthusiastic and innovative Programme Manager to help shape strategy and drive action across Kent and Medway through the Kent Environment Strategy. In this role, you will lead and coordinate activity in partnership towards our sustainability, waste, biodiversity and Net Zero 2050 climate change targets. If you have experience of developing and implementing successful environmental programmes, strong partnership skills and excellent knowledge of sustainability issues, then we would like to hear from you.

Kent County Council and the Sustainable Business and Communities team deliver a range of Environment Strategy initiatives to support the low carbon economy and help residents, businesses and public sector services become more resource efficient and resilient to climate change. We have recently published a number of strategies including the Kent and Medway Energy and Low Emissions Strategy and Plan Bee which are linked to the broader Kent Environment Strategy. With COP26, the Defra 25-year Environment Strategy and the Environment Bill, we are now looking for someone to update, manage and support the implementation of a refreshed Kent Environment Strategy.

The main purpose of this role is to develop and lead on the delivery of the Kent Environment Strategy and provide expert-level input into related strategies and projects being delivered by the team and our partners. The role will drive effective and efficient strategic delivery of key evidence gathering, research and engagement initiatives, including partnership management and governance, multi-partner campaigns, gap analysis and reports, and customer insight and evaluation. You will also be responsible for leading and facilitating a network of local public sector environmental experts working on joint projects and campaigns.

We are looking for someone with excellent written and verbal communications skills to develop engaging content, and strong interpersonal skills to nurture strong relationships with staff and partners. You’ll need a creative and proactive approach to developing environmental strategies and programmes, and excellent organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise and manage workloads and undertake medium-term project/programme planning. Your enthusiasm for the environment will allow you to fit quickly into this established, hardworking team.

This post is considered by KCC to be a customer-facing position. The Council therefore has a statutory duty under Part 7 of the Immigration Act (2016) to ensure that post holders have a command of spoken English/Welsh sufficient for the effective performance of the job requirements. The appropriate standards are set out in the Job Description/Person Specification.

Please note that the interviews will be conducted via Microsoft Teams. Interviews will take place w/c 28 September.

Contact Details

For further information on this role, please contact Christine Wissink:

Primary: +44 (0) 3000 413482 | Secondary: +44 (0)7795 495704

About the Company

KCC is committed to building a workforce which reflects the diversity of the county's working residents, encouraging applications from people of all ages, abilities, genders, sexual orientations, ethnic backgrounds and faiths, and aspires to create an inclusive workplace where everyone can be themselves at work.

Please note – if you are interested, please apply as soon as possible as the closing date for this advert may be earlier than stated should a number of suitably qualified candidates apply.