Could you lead a team working with schools, communities, local authorities and SMEs across the UK to create a fair and just zero carbon future? 

Ashden supports climate solutions that deliver benefits for all. Now we’re seeking a Director of UK Programmes to lead the strategic development of our work across the country, and oversee its delivery. 

We’re making an impact with initiatives such as the Let’s Go Zero campaign – working at the grassroots and with government to help UK schools become zero carbon by 2030. Our networks and resources help local authorities deliver climate action creating better health, good jobs and cutting carbon. We also empower community groups, and the cutting-edge innovators boosted by our Ashden Awards. 

We support those making UK homes warm and energy efficient; as well as backing frontline solutions, we’re working in coalition to spark action on the issue from central government. We’re also supporting efforts engage diverse communities in climate action. 

An important part of the UK strategy development will be to help Ashden further identify the policies that government (and others) at all levels should adopt to achieve scale up of the solutions we support, helping to achieve the rapid decarbonisation of the UK. 

The Director of UK Programmes will work within a framework of decolonisation, decarbonisation and diversity, equity & inclusion. You will develop and manage the strategic direction of all UK Programmes to ensure they successfully reach their aims and achieve maximum impact.  

Main responsibilities include directing the delivery and expansion of Let’s Go Zero, with an annual budget of £3million and a delivery team growing to 30 people over the next year. You will also oversee the delivery of our towns and cities strategy. 

Managing budgets, securing new funding, and developing partnerships and collaborations will be key to success. You will be a natural communicator, acting as a spokesperson for Ashden and bringing an understanding of how strategic communications boosts our UK work. As a member of the Ashden executive management team, you will contribute to the organisation's overall governance, budget setting and monitoring, and strategy. 

An important part of this strategy work will be to help Ashden further identify the policies that government (and others) at all levels should adopt to achieve scale up of the solutions support, helping to achieve the rapid decarbonisation of the UK. 

With a background in a relevant sector (such as education, local authorities, cities and communities) you will also have experience of creating partnerships and growing networks that promote innovation and enable climate action. You will also need experience of driving policy change and campaigning to achieve strategic goals plus a good understanding of finance, and a strong fundraising track record. 

This is a one-year fixed term contract, working three or four days per week. Applicants will need the right to live and work in the UK, and will be based at our office in London Victoria (working from home as appropriate/agreed). 

Interviews will take place on Tuesday 5 September online and Friday 15 September in person. 

Job purpose: Lead on the strategic development and oversee delivery of Ashden’s programmes in the UK that will help realise Ashden’s mission and strategic goals in the areas of our awards, sustainable schools and the transformation of the UK’s towns and cities. 

Oversee expenditure for all our UK Programmes and work in close collaboration with the Director of Business Development and the fundraising team to secure increased levels of funding.  

Be a spokesperson for Ashden and contribute to our thought leadership writing and speaking as appropriate. 

Reports to: Ashden CEO 

Terms and conditions:  

One year fixed term contract. 

Three - four days per week. 

Right to live/work in UK. 

Based in Ashden office in London Victoria and working from home as appropriate/agreed.   

Direct reports:

• Head of Towns and Cities 

• Head of Schools 

• UK Policy Lead   

Duties and key responsibilities 

Develop and manage the strategic direction of all UK Programmes to ensure they successfully reach their aims and achieve maximum impact. Work with the programme Heads and wider teams to help design, develop and oversee the establishment and development of new and expanding programmes. Ensure that there is cross-programme learning and opportunities for collaboration and joint working are identified and exploited.  

• Maximise coherency across programmes so that they are mutually reinforcing and add value to each other, boosting real world impact. 

• Manage Programme Heads to ensure they are delivering Ashden’s mission and strategic aims through their areas of focus, and meeting their personal targets. 

• Oversee and work with the Towns and Cities Team to support the delivery of strategy, build new partnerships and secure the funds needed to deliver the programme.  

• Work with Head of Cities and Director of Business Development and the Fundraising Team to secure funding for the programme. 

• Direct the design and delivery of the expansion of the Let’s Go Zero schools programme which will carry an annual budget of circa £3m for three years, and delivery team of circa 30 people based in London and around England to ensure that it meets aims and objectives.  

• Work closely with Director of Business Development to ensure that LGZ budgets are met and to report back regularly and accurately to the Board, Finance and Operations Committee and funder. 

• Work closely with Director of Communications & People to ensure that strategic comms are integrated into all UK programme development and funding to increase impact and communicate project outcomes to target audiences.  

• Ensure that our work across UK is joined up and learning and opportunities across the different areas of focus are shared.  

• Support and promote collaborative working across our networks.  

Executive Management Team (EMT) responsibilities 

With EMT colleagues: 

•  Manage Ashden’s Governance, budget, strategy and organisational management. 

• Work closely with the CEO, the EMT and the Board of Trustees to develop and achieve Ashden’s strategic mission and goals.  

• Report back to the Board and Finance and Operations Committee on all our work in the UK.  

• Contribute to quarterly reports for trustees and attend quarterly trustee meetings. 

• Create and manage high-level partnerships in key areas of influence.  

• Alongside the Director of Business Development help maintain and increase funding streams.  

• Liaise with the Operations & People Manager on HR matters for the UK Programme teams. 

• Work closely with the Director of Comms & People to integrate communications within programme aims and support Ashden-wide / corporate comms work where relevant and important.  

• Along with other Directors, deputise for the CEO as required.  

General responsibilities 

• Represent and be an ambassador for Ashden. 

• Be a key spokesperson - regularly speak at events.  

• Write blogs and articles for social, print and broadcast media when relevant for Ashden. 

• Be proactive in keeping up to date with developments affecting our mission delivery and maintain and improve personal competence through continuous professional development. 

• Be flexible and carry out other associated duties as may arise, develop or be assigned in line with the broad remit of the position. 

• Support and promote diversity and equality of opportunity in the workplace. 

• Support and promote sustainability and carbon reduction actions within Ashden, Sainsbury Family Charitable Trust and our wider work.  

Scope and accountability  

Decision making and limits of authority: 

Subject to the overarching strategy of the organisation and consultation with EMT colleagues, authority to create and deliver the strategy through the work of the UK programmes and integration of communications and fundraising to achieve these aims. 

Financial resources: 

The UK Programmes Team budget with authority as described in the [Financial Procedures Manual].  

Responsibility for overall Ashden budget shared with other Directors and CEO.  

Information resources: 

Ensure that all records are kept in accordance with GDPR regulations.  

Other resources: 

n/a 

People management:

Heads of Cities, Head of Schools and oversight of the wider team, consultants, contractors and interns. 

Legal, regulatory and compliance: 

• Ensure compliance with SFCT financial policies and procedures. 

• Ensure compliance with data protection regulations (where applicable - GDPR Champion for Ashden, initial responsibility for ensuring compliance with GDPR).  

• Ensure compliance with Ashden Safeguarding policies and procedures and data protection in relation to grant management.  

• Personal compliance with SFCT health and safety procedures​, Equal Opportunities & Diversity procedures.  

PERSON SPECIFICATION 

EXPERIENCE 

• Extensive professional experience in relevant sector (education, local authorities, cities or communities; or relevant transferable skills).  

• Strategic planning and development. 

• Managing people both in-person and remotely.  

• A good understanding of finance and strong and demonstrable track record of fundraising.  

• Experience of working in climate action in the UK. 

• Track record of working with policy makers and a good understanding of how programmes can drive policy change.  

• Experience of using campaigns to achieve strategic goals.  

SKILLS AND STRENGTHS 

• An effective leader who can enthuse the team.  

• Ability to maintain attention to detail whilst balancing competing priorities and keeping an eye on the big strategic goals.  

• Demonstrable experience of brokering productive and healthy partnerships across a broad spectrum of stakeholders.  

• Confident, strong all-round communications skills, both verbal and written, including the ability to take complex information and synthesise for different audiences and platforms.  

• Ability to work well in a multi-disciplinary team and with Boards of Trustees.  

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS  

• Able to work some evenings, weekends and out-of-hours from time to time, and travel within UK as required. 

• Active and self-led learner who keeps abreast of developments.  

• Enjoys working in a complex environment. 

• Works well in a team with a flexible approach to work.  

• Good understanding of and commitment to anti-discriminatory practice and equal opportunities. An ability to apply awareness of diversity issues to all areas of work.