Senior Officer, Environmental Responsibility (EINF9)

Applied; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 39,000; Full time

Job summary

A UK cultural organization is seeking a Senior Officer for Environmental Responsibility in Manchester. This mid-level position involves managing environmental projects, conducting research, and collaborating with multiple stakeholders to support the integration of sustainability practices across arts programs. The role offers a salary of £38,689, hybrid working conditions, and the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to environmental policies within the cultural sector.

Benefits

Flexible annual leave

Final salary pension scheme

Qualifications

• Experience with sustainability and climate action agendas.
• Strong ability to guide complex projects and communicate insights.
• Skills in managing multiple priorities with organized approaches.

Responsibilities

• Support management of Arts Council’s Environmental Programme.
• Conduct research and develop environmental responsibility policies.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders on projects.

Skills

Project management skills

Analytical skills

Interpersonal skills

Understanding of sustainability

Job description

Senior Officer, Environmental Responsibility (EINF9)

Arts Council England

Employment Type Temporary Fixed term until 31 March 2027 working 35 hours per week

Location Hybrid ·Manchester, UK Typically 1-2 days per week working from your designated office (one of the locations listed)

Salary £38,689 (GBP) final salary pension scheme, generous annual leave, and flexible and hybrid working

Team Enterprise and Innovation

Seniority Mid-level

• Closing:9:00am, 8th Jan 2026 GMT

Job Description

Overall Purpose of the role

The Environmental Responsibility team is responsible for supporting and developing the cultural sector’s response to the climate crisis alongside Arts Council’s own response through its policy and Net Zero Transition plan.

The team sits within the Enterprise & Innovation directorate and consists of the Director, Environmental Responsibility & Innovation, the Senior Manager, Environmental Responsibility, the Senior Officer, Environmental Responsibility and the Assistant, Enterprise & Innovation.

The Senior Officer reports directly to the Senior Manager.

Working with the Senior Manager (and as relevant the Director), the Senior Officer provides project management support for programmes and projects and carries out research linked to Arts Council’s Environmental Responsibility work which further supports the ongoing integration of Environmental Responsibility across all of Arts Council’s investments and programmes. The Senior Officer may also have delegated responsibility for identified projects.

Main day to day responsibilities

The role will include but not be exclusive to:

• Supporting management of the Arts Council’s Environmental Programme working with Arts Council’s external environmental partner. Attending meetings with the Senior Manager and/or Director where aspects of the programme are being discussed. Attending Communications meetings.
• Working with the environmental partner as relevant across all aspects of the programme including but not limited to, the carbon calculator tools, climate literacy training, development programmes and surveys.
• Reviewing the text and design of the annual report. Being involved in the work supporting the sector to embed the Environmental Responsibility Investment Principle, improve environmental understanding, data collection and reporting via the carbon calculator tools, developing resources as needed.
• Attendance and networking at sector events. Joint presentation with the Senior Manager on internal drop‑ins may be required from time to time.
• Commissioning research/reports/case studies on Environmental Responsibility, writing briefs/procurement/scoping documents.
• Providing support for other relevant projects relating Environmental Responsibility e.g. artform and area led projects, academic partnerships.
• Overseeing implementation of Arts Council’s Net Zero Transition Plan working with colleagues from across the business and external consultants to produce annual carbon footprint reporting and annual updates to the plan.
• Working with colleagues across the business on Arts Council's annual statutory reporting which may include the annual report, sustainability returns etc.
• Supporting climate literacy training for all Arts Council staff.
• Inputting into climate‑related strategic risk reporting and Environmental Responsibility operational risk reporting to quantify the risks and opportunities to both the cultural sector and Arts Council itself.
• Working on reports and papers for Arts Council’s governance boards and committees such as Management Board and Executive Board as relevant.
• Organising and attending internal and external meetings as relevant.

These responsibilities support our ambition to further develop and embed Environmental Responsibility in the sector but also within the Arts Council.

Key relationships

• Working with members of the wider Enterprise & Innovation team (Business Innovation, Philanthropy, New Technologies, Creative Health, Repayable Finance) as relevant.
• Working with key colleagues in the Corporate Services team (HR, Estates & Facilities, IT & Digital, Finance, Procurement) regarding Art’s Council’s policy, Net Zero Transition Plan, carbon footprint.
• Working with colleagues from across the business (Communications, Area, Artform & Discipline, Cross‑Cutting, Funded Organisations, Research) as relevant.
• Working with Arts Council’s external environmental partner, with peer funders and with other external partners as relevant.

What do I need to bring to the role?

Essential (Skills, Knowledge and Behaviours)

• Understanding of the current agendas and discourses on sustainability and climate action and the ability to identify the opportunities and challenges for the Arts Council and the cultural sector.
• Understanding of climate and/or environmental policy (i.e. local, national, international policy).
• Awareness of key sustainability topics (this could include climate science, energy/carbon management, waste management/circular economy, climate justice, nature and biodiversity).
• Strong project management skills with the ability to guide fast moving and complex projects.
• Good analytical skills and the ability to synthesise large quantities of information and data to form insights and support decision making. Ability to communicate insights in a clear, confident and engaging manner to both internal and external stakeholders.
• Good interpersonal, communication and influencing skills – both speaking and in writing – and the ability to communicate in a confident and engaging manner with a range of different stakeholders.
• A highly organised approach with the ability to juggle multiple priorities and exercise effective judgement when organising, planning and managing complex tasks, as well as the ability to initiate work and perform according to self‑imposed timetables.
• Ability and willingness to learn quickly and efficiently on the job to develop wide ranging skills in Environmental Responsibility and policy.
• You will contribute to a positive working culture in your team and in the organisation by taking a proactive approach to learning, responding to change, inclusive practice and environmental responsibility. You will reflect the Nolan principles of public life and Arts Council's values with a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.

Desirable (Skills, Knowledge and Behaviours)

• Formal environmental qualifications are not required although the desire to develop in‑depth skills and knowledge are encouraged through formal training opportunities and informal networking/collaboration.
• Experience of championing environmentally responsible practice whether in a paid or voluntary capacity.
• Experience of working in the cultural sector and/or in a funding body.
• Experience of working on research projects, developing and implementing policies and developing business cases.

We are a Disability Confident Employer and we participate in the ‘Offer an Interview’ scheme, which means that we offer an interview to any disabled candidates who meet the essential criteria for the role they’re applying to, subject to the volume of applications received. Disabled candidates, those living with a long‑term condition and/ or neurodivergent candidates may be eligible for this scheme.

Our Code of Ethics requires that employees of the Arts Council are not able to receive an Arts Council grant, investment or loan funding – either in person, as a member of a partnership, or for any organisation they own. There are also limitations on board or CEO positions employees can hold in organisations we fund. For more information on this, please talk to the recruiting manager or contact [e-mail]

1st Interviews: (Virtual) W/C 26 January 2026

2nd Interviews: (Virtual) W/C 02 February 2026