Join us and be a catalyst for change
Welcome from Polly Mackenzie, Chief Social Purpose Officer
We are grateful for your interest in our Net Zero roles at University of the Arts London (UAL). I’m Polly, and as Chief Social Purpose Officer, I head up the Social Purpose Group and chair the Net Zero Committee.
UAL needs systems change. The UAL family needs a cohort of kind, talented and committed people to distil the complexity, and bring our community with us on a journey of action and change. What makes these new roles exciting is that regenerating the environment and stabilising the climate matter immensely to our staff and students. You will be at the forefront of our ability to live up to our social purpose in the decades ahead.
UAL has committed to achieve net zero by 2030 on our direct emissions (scope 1 and 2) and by 2040 for our indirect emissions (scope 3), including the supply chain and international student travel. This ambitious target is 10 years ahead of the UK government’s deadline.
While we have much progress still to make, you will not be starting from scratch. The University has already taken decisive action. For example:
- almost 500 staff have earned Carbon Literacy certification;
- we have started to embed climate, racial and social justice into all our courses;
- we have reduced our Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 20%;
- we have set up the Social Purpose Lab to support institutional transformation.
The University is investing further in our shared ambition to make our net zero vision a net zero reality. The opportunities will be based across a wide range of departments – our Estates Department, Digital and Technology Team, Finance, Social Purpose Lab, Culture Hub and Strategy, Planning and Risk Department – and they will coordinate and collaborate through the Net Zero Committee
Our staff and students are passionate about the environment. Our staff demonstrate this commitment in teaching and research, leading the sector in sustainable fashion and regenerative design practice. The Sustainability Alumni Network educates, showcases, and connects alumni practicing sustainable business, design, and creativity methods.
Your role will focus on achieving our Net Zero target. But you will find yourself in the midst of big laboratory of change, in a University striving to make social purpose a part of everything we do. We believe in the value of a creative education to make the world a better place. It is our job to make sure that regeneration and justice are hardwired into our ways of changing the world with creativity.
What are the roles?
UAL is investing in opportunities across our departments with recruitment taking place in several phases. The following roles will be recruited to over the coming months, and each will be advertised below:
Recruitment Phase One – Summer 2024
- Head of Net Zero and Social Purpose Programme
- Head of Sustainability Data and Reporting
Recruitment Phase Two – Autumn 2024
- Head of Estates Sustainability
- Sustainability Officer
- Transport and Waste Officer
- Digital Net Zero Manager
- Associate Director Estates Sustainability
- Apprentice Energy & Water Officer
Recruitment Phase Three – Winter 2024
- Supply-Chain Manager
- Supply-Chain Officer
Our focus areas
The following are some examples of our areas of focus across the University in relation to Net Zero:
- Delivering improvements in sustainable practices across the UAL estate with a particular focus on energy use, waste and transport.
- Modernisation of procurement systems and processes
- Institutional behaviour change, for example, in respect of approaches to data storage and making this more sustainable
- Development of a Carbon Data Strategy
- Developing opportunities to further upskill staff on Carbon Literacy to support institutional change
What we can offer you
UAL celebrates diversity and values inclusivity. You will join a vibrant institution that is committed to supporting our staff and your personal development and professional growth. UAL staff have access to a range of benefits, such as, gym and leisure discounts, discounted private medical insurance and a cycle to work scheme. Further information is available here.
You will have a home department, through which you will be provided with a comprehensive induction and ongoing support. However, you will also be part of the Net Zero cross-institutional team that will work together to deliver the institutional ambition for Net Zero. This work will be coordinated from within the Social Purpose Group. You will have the opportunity to work across the University to drive institutional change and support our transition to Net Zero making a positive impact on the University community and the environment.
The types of people we are looking for
The skills, experience and abilities for each of the roles are outlined in the respective job description and person specification. These will vary depending on the type of role and grade. However, we are looking for colleagues who are committed to driving change, sustainability, the environment and achieving Net Zero. We want people who are willing to professionally challenge the status quo and put forward innovative approaches to achieving our ambitions.
We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds, including those who may feel underrepresented in the workforce due to socioeconomic circumstances. We aim to be a university where everyone can be themselves and are supported to reach their full potential.
Find out more at our upcoming recruitment open events
A briefing on the cross-institutional net zero team took place on the 12th August 2024. A link to the presentation slides and a recording of the briefing will be shared here soon.