Climate Action Lead

As Climate Action Lead, you’ll be Cardiff Met’s strategic expert and driving force for sustainability within our Professional Services. You’ll lead our commitment to achieving net zero carbon and embed environmental responsibility throughout our policies, operations, and culture—making a real impact across the University and beyond. This new role sits within a newly formed Climate Action Team, bringing together existing and new expertise to accelerate Cardiff Met’s sustainability transformation. With a strong civic mission, a growing climate-conscious community, and an executive team committed to leading the change required, Cardiff Met is embedding sustainability through its direct, local and global impact.

You’ll lead the way by:

• Owning, building upon and delivering the University’s Sustainability Strategy and Net Zero Carbon Programme.
• Leading governance, performance measurement, and compliance (including ISO14001) for environmental sustainability.
• Influencing decision-making at the highest levels and representing Cardiff Met externally.
• In conjunction with the Executive lead for Sustainability, champion change across academic and professional services teams to embed sustainable practices.
• Acting as the University’s professional services subject matter expert on climate action and sustainability.
• Driving innovative, institution-wide transformation to meet bold 2030 targets.

What you’ll bring

You’ll be a visible, confident leader who can unite stakeholders across academic and professional domains behind shared sustainability goals, with the credibility to influence our stakeholders and the insight to deliver lasting change. With expert knowledge in sustainability governance, net zero and environmental strategy, you’ll know how to turn big ambitions into measurable results.

• Degree-level qualification or equivalent professional experience in a relevant field.
• A proven change-maker with experience redesigning processes, governance, or behaviours to achieve measurable sustainability outcomes.
• Proven success in leading net zero and sustainability strategies across complex organisations.
• Strong stakeholder and project management skills, with experience influencing at board level.
• Up-to-date technical understanding of sustainability principles, standards, and legislation.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences on complex topics.
• A demonstrable personal commitment to addressing climate change
• Ideally, knowledge of the HE sector and the Welsh policy landscape relating to sustainability.

Why join Cardiff Metropolitan University?

We are a values-based University. We are proud of our culture, and we are there for our people. Our community spirit is the golden thread that underpins our values and behaviours. We support and embrace inclusion that enables everyone to feel respected and able to perform at their best. By joining our University, you'll find yourself in a unique environment where a wealth of knowledge and resources are readily available, supporting you with your career development. 

We offer excellent benefits such as:

• Annual leave of 35 days, plus 12 bank holiday / concessionary days 
• Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme with generous monthly contributions.
• Excellent family friendly policies – take a look on our Policy Hub page.
• Opportunities to learn and develop your skills with access to library and digital services facilities.
• Excellent sports and fitness facilities with subsidised membership.
• Free family access to our independent specialist wellbeing support provider, Health Assured.