Visa Note
While this employer offers a certificate of sponsorship for eligible candidates, applicants must still verify their specific visa eligibility requirements with the employer directly. Immigration rules can be complex and may change, so confirming your eligibility before applying is essential.
Job Summary
We are looking to recruit an enthusiastic, self-motivated and experienced full time Sustainability and Assurance Manager for Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. This is a newly created, senior management role reporting directly to the Deputy Director – Estate Infrastructure and Compliance.
About the Role
Working within a busy and dynamic Estates and Facilities department, you will be programme managing the Trust’s Annual sustainability programme of works developed around Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation. This programme aims to reduce the Trust’s overall Carbon Footprint and work towards contributing to sustainable healthcare across Sussex and East Surrey.
Key Responsibilities
You will oversee a contracted Sustainability Healthcare Service team working to achieve the annual programme of works, focusing on implementing the Sustainable Management Plan (SDMP), Energy Bureau, Staff Engagement, Sustainability work-streams such as Waste, Transport & Travel, Procurement, and Sustainability support with Capital projects. Additionally, you will coordinate a Building Assurance programme with external contacted Maintenance Providers.
Essential Duties
You will be responsible for providing specialist expertise in the development of the Trust’s Green Plan. This will include assisting with specific feasibility studies, preparing budget estimates and producing high level programmes and reports. You will manage a programme of regular Assurance meetings with external contracted maintenance providers to audit their levels of statutory and mandatory compliance.
Energy Management
A key aspect of this role involves managing the Trust’s annual utilities budget, reporting monthly on consumption, overseeing meter readings and liaising with contracted energy procurement and energy management provider to achieve firm control of energy consumption and spending. This position also requires participation in the Trust’s Estates and Facilities On-Call rota.
About the Organisation
Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust provides a range of specialist services across south east England for people with mental health problems and learning disabilities. We care for people of all ages, from children and young people through to older people with conditions such as dementia.
Our Estate
We provide hospital and community mental health services from more than 110 locations across Sussex. Our estate covers a floor area of some 85,000 square meters which is about the size of 16 football pitches. It is made up of 48 Freehold properties, 57 Leasehold properties, and 5 Private Finance Initiative (PFI) properties.
Facilities
These include 36 inpatient wards and homes, with a total of 579 beds, 68 community team bases and 10 corporate buildings. The successful applicant will be required to travel to sites across Sussex and any other counties the Trust may operate in the future.
Essential Qualifications
The ideal candidate will have professional knowledge acquired through a degree or equivalent, plus specialist knowledge acquired through post-graduate courses and experience to masters equivalent level. Significant senior management experience of large-scale hard facilities/support services is also required, preferably multi-site operations within the NHS or a similar public sector organisation.
Technical Knowledge
Detailed knowledge of Health Facilities/Support Services legislative guidance and operational requirements is essential. You should also have in-depth knowledge of SFG 20, British Standards CIBSE guides, and FM related ACoP’s. The ability to effectively manage resources with a good track record of change management, efficiency savings, systematic investment plans and financial recovery plans is also important.
Communication Skills
Excellent communication and presentation skills to garner stakeholder engagement and stakeholder buy-in are essential. You must be able to exchange maintenance, technical project-related information with specialists, non-specialists, including senior managers, directors; negotiate with contractors and suppliers. You should also be able to communicate multistranded project, design, financial, contractual information to Board, senior managers and contractors.
Leadership Approach
The ideal candidate will demonstrate an open and facilitative style of leadership which can be adapted when necessary to ensure service delivery. You should have well-developed interpersonal skills; able to negotiate and persuade people with a balanced consultative approach to implementing change and meeting objectives.
Performance Management
Good performance management skills combining clarity around expectations, direction and holding others to account are essential. You should be able to build purposeful relationships with key partners, and staff throughout the Trust.
Working Arrangements
This is a full-time, permanent position offering flexible working arrangements. The successful applicant will be required to have their own transport, hold a valid UK driving licence and hold the relevant ‘Business’ insurance cover.
Salary and Benefits
The position offers a competitive salary ranging from £64,455 to £74,896 per annum, plus NHS benefits package. The role is part of the Agenda for Change pay scheme and is classified at Band 8b.
How to Apply
Apply via NHS Jobs website. International applicants should prepare the following documentation: CV detailing relevant experience, qualifications, and references; proof of eligibility to work in the UK (if already available); and any relevant sustainability or assurance certifications. Before applying, verify visa requirements directly with the employer.
Contact Information
For questions about the job, contact: David Kent (Dep Director – Estates Infrastructure & Compliance), Email: [email protected]. For more information about the Trust, please visit: https://www.sussexpartnership.nhs.uk/
Application Deadline
The closing date for applications is 01 January 2026. Early applications are encouraged as this position may be filled before the closing date if a suitable candidate is found.
Equal Opportunities
Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of their race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or disability. We are particularly keen to receive applications from candidates who can help us make our workforce more diverse and inclusive.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Additional Information for International Applicants
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website. From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years.
Employer Accreditation
Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust holds multiple accreditations including Age Positive, Apprenticeships, Armed Forces Covenant, CQC Good, Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Bronze, Disability Confident Employer, Happy to Talk Flexible Working, IIP Bronze, Gold, Silver and Standard, IWL Practice Plus, MINDFUL employer, Smoke free, Step into Health, and Veteran Aware.
Job Reference
Reference number for this position is 354-EF-20327. Please quote this reference when applying.
