Head of Sustainability - Windsor, Rural and Coastal at The Crown Estate
Purpose of Role
A significant leadership opportunity to deliver one of the UK’s most ambitious sustainability and nature recovery programmes across The Crown Estate’s extensive rural and coastal portfolios and the Windsor Estate.
The portfolio extends to over 200,000 acres of diverse farmland and uplands and over 55% of the foreshore of England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The Windsor Estate is recognised as one of the most ecologically sensitive and important areas in the UK.
Working closely with colleagues across The Crown Estate, this role will focus on the development and delivery of strategies that support net zero, decarbonisation and nature recovery goals, while creating lasting benefits for our farmers, rural and coastal communities and the places in which we operate.
The successful candidate will bring strategic vision, energy, strong delivery capability and an entrepreneurial mindset, acting as a champion, catalyst and constructive challenger for sustainability across Windsor, Rural and Coastal.
Context of Opportunity / Main Accountabilities
As part of the Senior Executive Team for the Windsor, Rural and Coastal portfolio, this role will help set strategic direction and ensure delivery at scale of Group and Portfolio strategies on the ground.
Key responsibilities will include:
- Leading and supporting a Safety-First culture, ensuring health, safety and wellbeing remain a priority across operations.
- Establishing priorities and driving delivery of nature recovery, net zero and decarbonisation plans in partnership with teams across Windsor, Rural and Coastal.
- Managing and, where appropriate, expanding a team of in-house ecologists and sustainability professionals to deliver practical "on the ground" delivery, accurate data and reporting.
- Developing and managing the £20m Rural Environment Fund to accelerate "no regrets" nature interventions on farms and to successfully manage the reinvigorated Coastal Stewardship Fund.
- Contributing to the development of the Windsor, Rural and Coastal portfolio strategies and implementing plans that support The Crown Estate’s sustainability and nature recovery targets whilst maintaining the balance with food production.
- Developing rolling three-year business plans, including operating and capital budgets for sustainability initiatives, and monitoring delivery against agreed targets.
- Acting as a subject matter expert on sustainability and nature recovery, providing guidance and support to operational teams and stakeholders.
- Developing robust measurement and reporting frameworks to track the effectiveness of sustainability initiatives and recommend adjustments where needed.
- Providing technical expertise and championing innovation across areas including waste management, energy and carbon reduction, water usage and net-zero building compliance.
- Building strong internal and external relationships and partnerships that support sustainability ambitions and maximise social and environmental contribution across the portfolio.
- Leading, coaching and developing the team so colleagues feel valued, empowered and able to deliver the sustainability strategy.
- Promoting the value of a diverse and inclusive business while respecting the unique attributes and traditions of the Windsor Estate.
Most Important Skills Based Requirements
We are looking for someone who can combine strategic leadership with practical delivery, strong stakeholder engagement and deep sustainability expertise. The most important requirements are:
- Strong empathy and humility for and understanding of farming, coastal and rural matters.
- Broad understanding of nature recovery and sustainability across rural and coastal sectors.
- Experience of developing and delivering innovative strategic plans, with the ability to monitor performance against agreed objectives.
- Strong technical capability, with the ability to understand complex problems, think strategically and identify sustainable solutions.
- Proven experience managing significant financial budgets and developing business plans that support strategic goals.
- Excellent relationship management skills, with the…
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