Head of Net Zero Engineering

University of Leeds

Leeds, United Kingdom

ID: 7262580 (Ref.No. FDENG1007)
Posted: July 14, 2024

Job Description

Salary G9 (£56,021 to £64,914 p.a.) 

This role will be based on the university campus, with scope for it to be undertaken in a hybrid manner.   We are also open to discussing flexible working arrangements. 

Are you an experienced and influential professional working at executive level with the ability to deliver organisation-wide capital change programmes? Can you lead and collaborate with colleagues at all levels to support the delivery of a sector-leading net zero programme?

The University of Leeds is one of the top 75 universities in the world.  We have a truly global community, with more than 39,000 students from 170 different countries and over 9,000 staff of 100 different nationalities.  Established in 1904, we have a strong tradition of academic excellence, reflected in first-class student education, along with world-leading research that has a real impact around the globe. 

We are committed to an ambitious Climate Plan in response to the climate crisis. The plan, which has an approved investment of £174m, includes the commitment to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. The University has developed a delivery plan to achieve net zero which relies on a large-scale capital investment programme to reduce energy demand and to decarbonise operations.

Reporting to the Director of Infrastructure, Construction and Delivery, the Head of Net Zero Engineering will develop and deliver the engineering strategy required to meet the University’s ambitious net zero plans. Alongside this, and supported by a project delivery team, the role will lead and manage a portfolio of projects to deliver the capital elements of the Net Zero Programme. You will have a strong technical engineering knowledge with a track record in leading multi-disciplinary teams to delivering successful outcomes for large capital programmes.

You will be experienced in strategic capital change programmes and will have the ability to balance priorities, deal with complex engineering, academic, and financial information and succeed through cooperation and collaboration with others. You will also develop and direct the capital development programme team with compassionate leadership and be comfortable working with executive stakeholders to achieve successful outcomes. 

If you thrive on working in a complex environment, where your ability to navigate political and organisational issues are as developed as your skills in transformational construction delivery, this is an exciting opportunity for you to make a real difference in a world class organisation.

What we offer in return

    26 days holiday plus approx. 16 Bank Holidays/days that the University is closed by custom (including Christmas) – That’s 42 days a year!

    Generous pension scheme plus life assurance – the University contributes 14.5% of salary

    Health and Wellbeing: Discounted staff membership options at The Edge, our state-of-the-art Campus gym, with a pool, sauna, climbing wall, cycle circuit, and sports halls.

    Personal Development: Access to courses run by our Organisational Development & Professional Learning team, and self-development courses including languages, Creative Writing, Wellbeing Therapies and much more.

    Access to on-site childcare, shopping discounts and travel schemes are also available.

And much more!  

To explore the post further or for any queries you may have, please contact:

Gareth Hughes, Director of Campus Innovation - Infrastructure, Construction and Delivery

Tel: 07830526747

Email: [email protected]

View All Vacancies



The University community is made up of a wide range of people with diverse backgrounds and circumstances, which we value and regard as a great asset. As part of our continued commitment to equality and inclusion, we strive to create an environment where everyone can reach their full potential and have a real opportunity to participate in and contribute to our activities.