Sustainability Officer
Butterfly Conservation
SustainabilityConservation & WildlifeCarbon, Climate & Energy
Responsible To: Head of Policy
Hours: 37 hours per week (1 FTE)
Contract: Fixed Term Post (2 years)
We are looking for a dynamic individual to develop Butterfly Conservation’s Sustainability Strategy.
You will gain an in depth knowledge of the way a charity like Butterfly Conservation delivers its work, lead the process of developing a sustainability Strategy including stakeholder consultation, preparing a delivery plan and set strategy metrics to report to Senior Leadership Team, the Board and more widely.
Job Purpose
- To lead the development and implementation of Butterfly Conservation’s Sustainability Strategy and Delivery Plan to drive forward sustainable practices across the organisation.
- To develop and implement robust monitoring to provide annual reports and performance statistics.
- Communicate our sustainability work to engage internal and external stakeholders.
Main Responsibilities
- Responsible for developing a Sustainability Strategy and Delivery Plan covering carbon, resource efficiency, land use, procurement, and nature recovery in consultation with key stakeholders.
- Develop a net zero carbon action plan (initially Scopes 1 & 2) and monitor performance of carbon emissions.
- Establish and lead a Sustainability Working Group to gather input from staff, volunteers and trustees.
- Develop a system to collect, validate, analyse, and interpret relevant data to assess sustainability performance and provide performance statistics.
- Support the Director of Science and Data by preparing regular reports on environmental sustainability strategies, delivery plan, policies and procedures for Senior Leadership Team and the Board.
- Explore and prepare a report on potential role of accreditation as part of reporting.
- Assist the Finance and Administration Teams to develop a sustainable procurement policy.
- Assist the Fundraising teams with identifying potential funders and preparing bids for strategy and plans delivery.
- Engage staff and volunteers by communicating our sustainability work and providing support and advice as appropriate.
- Keep up to date with best practice, legislative and regulatory standards and new innovations in sustainability.
General
- Promote BC’s values (Excellence, Passionate, Inspiring, Collaborative) ensuring they are adopted in all aspects of the role.
- Undertake any other reasonable duties as required and commensurate with the grade of post.
- Undertake all duties and responsibilities in compliance with the rules and regulations encompassing equal opportunities to help foster a diverse workforce.
- Work in accordance with BC’s policies, procedures, and codes of conduct.
- Actively participate in on-going professional development activities.
Candidates must have the right to work and be resident in the UK.
We believe our work has never been more important.
Wildlife is in steep decline across the UK and over three-quarters of butterflies and two-thirds of moths are declining. We recognise it needs a great team with a wide variety of skills to tackle the problems facing butterflies, moths and the environment.
Our staff and volunteers are proud to be part of Butterfly Conservation and are dedicated to making a difference to the environment we live in. We understand the importance of maintaining and expanding our expert and valued team of people and offer a range of roles located all over the UK, from the peat bogs in Scotland to the post room in Dorset.
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early before the advertised closing date and time.
Closing date: 29 June 2026, 12pm
Interviews will be held on 8 July 2026 online.
About Butterfly Conservation
Butterfly Conservation is a vibrant, inspiring place to work and we're passionate about connecting people to nature. We're looking to recruit passionate ‘can-do’ people who can help us to create a world where butterflies and moths thrive and can be enjoyed by everyone, forever.
- Butterfly Conservation is a charity dedicated to saving butterflies, moths, and our natural environment. We are a leading authority on the conservation of these beautiful creatures – key indicators of a healthy ecosystem – and we have achieved numerous successes for them locally and nationally.
- Our people are at the heart of what we do. Our work is only possible thanks to the commitment and dedication of our supporters, volunteers, and staff.
- We employ world-class conservation scientists, making us the world’s largest research institute for butterflies and moths. Our data is used by government and policymakers to make a long-term difference for the environment.
- We are actively involved in hands-on conservation throughout the UK, at every level from individual households to landscape-scale habitats, working tirelessly to make a difference for butterflies, moths, and our environment – and to benefit all wildlife and the ecosystems upon which life depends.
- We run projects to protect threatened species, and we are involved in conserving hundreds of other sites across the UK.
Butterfly Conservation is a vibrant, inspiring place to work and we're passionate about connecting people to nature. We're looking to recruit passionate ‘can-do’ people who can help us to create a world where butterflies and moths thrive and can be enjoyed by everyone, forever. Butterfly Conservation is a charity dedicated to saving butterflies, moths, and our natural environment. We are a leading authority on the conservation of these beautiful creatures – key indicators of a healthy ecosystem – and we have achieved numerous successes for them locally and nationally. Our people are at the heart of what we do. Our work is only possible thanks to the commitment and dedication of our supporters, volunteers, and staff. We employ world-class conservation scientists, making us the world’s largest research institute for butterflies and moths. Our data is used by government and policymakers to make a long-term difference for the environment. We are actively involved in hands-on conservation throughout the UK, at every level from individual households to landscape-scale habitats, working tirelessly to make a difference for butterflies, moths, and our environment – and to benefit all wildlife and the ecosystems upon which life depends. We run projects to protect threatened species, and we are involved in conserving hundreds of other sites across the UK.
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