Sustainability Adviser Bath 2023

Wessex Water aims to become a genuinely sustainable company. This role is pivotal to that aim, with a focus on achieving net zero carbon emissions. This job is all about looking forward and ensuring we are fit for the future.

What will you be doing?

As the Sustainability Adviser, you will be based at our Bath office and report to the Head of Sustainability and Innovation. A lot of the work is analytical, eg, working on the data related to the carbon footprint of specific activities and the company as a whole, as well as weighing up the financial aspects of carbon reduction opportunities. It is also important that you can communicate, work with and bring together individuals from different teams across the business. Specific areas of work will include:

• Net zero strategy and programme: updating our public net zero routemap and planning the internal net zero programme; overseeing the delivery of emissions reductions linked to our business plan.
• Options: forecasting the impacts/efficacy of carbon reduction options; advising on potential low-carbon innovations; assisting with the internal capital scheme challenge process.
• Internal liaison: coordination of the net zero forum; liaison with other teams on various projects; reporting to Directors on progress.
• External reporting and communication: annual emissions reporting (data gathering and multiple submissions); responses to ad hoc data and information requests; liaison with carbon and climate leads at other water companies.
• Climate change impacts: coordinating our climate change risk assessment and our public adaptation reports.

While the Sustainability Adviser has no direct reports, they need to work with teams and individuals across the business who are directly involved in our sustainability work, especially on aspects that are less developed. There is also wider internal communication required and opportunities to build the sustainability profile of the wider Wessex Water group, through cooperating with other business units.

The role also connects with outside interests. The Sustainability Adviser is one of the public faces of Wessex Water and will benefit from working with carbon and climate leads in other companies.

What about you?

• Most importantly, you will have a desire to improve our sustainability, within the context of major global and national challenges for the environment and society.
• You will need to have an eye for detail, especially involving data – sometimes in complex datasets. Good IT skills and competency using Excel will be critical.
• The role suits an organised self-starter with an inquiring mind, who is willing to take on emerging issues and tasks, even if they are not in the job description.
• You will need to be able to work with a wide range of people in different departments, including directors, managers and support staff. You will also enjoy working in a multi-functional team environment where some tasks may be shared.
• It is likely that you will have degree level or equivalent qualifications. Being able to drive is desirable but not essential.
• This role offers the chance to work on issues that are rising fast up the agenda of the water sector and are increasingly on the minds of the public, investors and policymakers.

Benefits for you

• Pension – up to 20% combined contribution
• 25 days’ holiday rising to 28 with length of service
• Opportunity to buy and sell up to five days’ holiday
• Health benefits package
• Life assurance (up to four times your salary)
• Electric vehicle salary exchange
• Flexible working
• Cashback and discounts from over 1,200 retailers
• Paid volunteering day
• Enhanced family leave
• Interactive health and wellbeing platform
• Support from mental health first aiders
• £1,000 referral fee if you recommend someone to work for us

What will you get from us?

Our people tell us Wessex Water is a great place to work, and they stay with us! We are proud of how we support development and career progression. We have a wealth of both financial and non-financial benefits to offer our people and are committed to ensuring we provide an environment that supports health and wellbeing and flexible working.

We continue to promote diversity and inclusion. With that in mind, we welcome all applicants.

We are delighted to have signed the Armed Forces covenant and are a Disability Confident Employer. Applicants who declare they have a disability or have previously served with the Armed Forces, and meet the minimum requirements for the job, will automatically be invited for an interview.

Please let us know if you require any additional support or adjustments to assist you in starting your journey with Wessex Water.

If you have what it takes to join this award-winning business and want to be part of our exciting journey and share in that success, then please get in contact with us to find out more.