Guardian Jobs
Director, Environment and Climate Change, NATIONAL AUDIT OFFICE
Guardian Jobs, London Springs, Oregon, United States
Director, Environment and Climate Change, NATIONAL AUDIT OFFICE
Join to apply for the Director, Environment and Climate Change, NATIONAL AUDIT OFFICE role at Guardian Jobs.
Contract type Fixed term contract or secondment until 31 December 2027
Location The role can be based in either our London or Newcastle office, with a minimum of 2 days per week in the office or at an audited body.
Working hours Full time (36 hours a week), job share, flexible working 28.8 hours/4 days minimum
Salary The starting salary is c.£93,000, although this can be subject to negotiation for exceptional candidates.
About the role Within the NAO we have small teams with a focus on specialist areas of expertise. These are our Hubs. The Hubs play a key role in external influencing, knowledge management, and the development of our capability on cross‑cutting issues. This role is to lead our Hub on Environment and Climate Change.
The purpose of the Environment and Climate Change (E&CC) hub is to build the NAO’s skills, influence and programme of work on environment and climate change, to support the value for money of Government’s delivery of its goals; and to be a catalyst for improved sustainability reporting and assurance practices in the public sector.
The main purpose of the role is to lead our work on environmental sustainability and climate change. It is an exciting opportunity to lead our E&CC hub through the next stage of development.
Responsibilities
Develop long‑term strategy for the Environment hub in supporting delivery of our NAO five‑year strategy
(NAO strategy)
Initiate, direct or advise on relevant outputs, including good practice guides, value‑for‑money (performance audit) work and assurance activities
Lead teams and oversee provision of expert advice on sustainability assurance and reporting matters to relevant groups and consultations, working with NAO experts in financial and non‑financial audit
Build and maintain external networks with senior civil servants, Parliament, expert communities, standard setters and representative bodies
Work with the senior leaders in the Hub and the Deputy Head of the Financial Audit service line and our Financial Audit Practice and Quality Team to develop our methodological approach to sustainability assurance, in accordance with relevant standards, good practice and guidance
Take a central role in the development of a learning and professional development plan for performance audit of environment and climate change programmes and sustainability reporting and assurance skills at the NAO
Keep abreast of significant future developments, changes, emerging trends, and relevant issues in the external environment
People Management
Lead development of Hub team, ways of working and culture
Contribute to the development of our people and organisation as part of the NAO senior management
Be a credible and effective thought leader and bring together insights from our people
Build effective working relationships across the NAO corporate services, and financial and value for money audit teams
Be an effective team leader and coach and motivate professional development across a wide network as well as through your direct line management role
Relationships
Reports to: Executive Director, Infrastructure Group. The team sits within the NAO’s Infrastructure Group but you will also work closely with other senior leaders in the NAO including the Executive Director for Knowledge and Insights, as well as the Deputy Head of Financial Audit.
Internal relationships: Directors of other specialist insight teams, audit teams covering a range of audited bodies, practice and quality teams for value for money and financial audit, external communications, and parliamentary relations.
External relationships: External experts within government and in external organisations; national and international standard‑setters; parliamentary officials, MPs and relevant Committees, including the Environmental Audit Committee and the Public Accounts Committee.
Staff resources managed: You will manage a core team with three senior managers, one focused on developing our methodologies and approach to reporting standards, and one leading our reports for public and parliamentary scrutiny and one leading the value for money portfolio for the hub, as well as a small team of analysts and auditors. You will also be able to draw in others from across the NAO where needed on a project basis.
Skills required
Be highly credible in representing the NAO’s work with external experts, Parliament and senior stakeholders. An expert leader internally and externally
Oversee and deliver well‑produced written outputs which support our findings and recommendations and are designed to engage a wide audience.
Make sound, independent judgements when advising others.
Confidently and effectively influence positive and impactful change using a range of communication and engagement approaches tailored to key stakeholders both internally and externally
Lead and inspire diverse, multidisciplinary, collaborative high‑performing teams, promoting a culture of feedback, continuous improvement and wellbeing
Show creativity and innovation in how we do our work and build insights and support teams to do so
Experience analysing or auditing environment and climate policy interventions; a sound understanding of relevant frameworks, principles and standards for sustainability reporting and assurance; as well as
Experience managing projects and producing clear, high‑quality written work, meeting professional standards and supporting organisational aims
Experience working effectively with a range of stakeholders, including the ability to communicate complex findings clearly to diverse audiences. Experience with public sector bodies is desirable but not essential.
Attributes
Shows determination and flexibility in overcoming challenges and meeting goals, adapting positively to change
Demonstrates a genuine interest in improving public services, upholding organisational values and constructively sharing your professional perspective
Committed to ongoing personal development and delivering organisational objectives, actively seeking feedback and maintaining up‑to‑date knowledge in your field
Compliance with corporate responsibilities and interest in supporting others to do so
Working in accordance with the NAO's values and championing our diversity and inclusion strategy
Intellectual curiosity, especially about using data and evidence to answer questions
Equal opportunities and diversity Applicants will not be discriminated against on the grounds of any protected characteristic or any other extraneous factor. The NAO is an equal opportunity employer and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals, including those from under‑represented groups.
Disability and Reasonable Adjustments Applicants with a disability who wish their application to be considered under the Disability Confident scheme should confirm this when submitting their application. Under this scheme we guarantee an interview to an applicant with a disability who meets the minimum requirements for the role. You should also let our HR team know if you wish us to consider any reasonable adjustments at any stage of the process.
How to apply To be considered for this role, please submit your up‑to‑date CV along with a covering letter (maximum two pages) detailing with specific examples, how you meet the key person criteria before the application deadline of Sunday 2 November 2025. If you experience any issues during the application process, please contact
hrservicedesk@nao.org.uk . Interviews are scheduled to take place during the week commencing 17 & 24 November 2025.
Candidate drop‑in session We will be hosting a candidate drop‑in session on Tuesday 21 October from 3 pm until 3.30 pm. If you would like to attend, please contact us via
hrservicedesk@nao.org.uk
and we will then send you a link to the session.
Nationality requirements
UK nationals
Nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
Nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with (or eligible for) status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
Please note, we are not able to sponsor work visas. Please contact us at hrservicedesk@nao.org.uk should you have any questions on your nationality eligibility.
Conflicts of interest It is essential that the NAO upholds, and is seen to uphold, the highest standards of propriety in its governance, and potential candidates will need to ensure that they do not hold any non‑executive posts, any other appointments, or any other interests which may be in conflict with their NAO role. Please contact us at hrservicedesk@nao.org.uk.
Seniority level Director
Employment type Contract
Job function Other
Industries Advertising Services
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Contract type Fixed term contract or secondment until 31 December 2027
Location The role can be based in either our London or Newcastle office, with a minimum of 2 days per week in the office or at an audited body.
Working hours Full time (36 hours a week), job share, flexible working 28.8 hours/4 days minimum
Salary The starting salary is c.£93,000, although this can be subject to negotiation for exceptional candidates.
About the role Within the NAO we have small teams with a focus on specialist areas of expertise. These are our Hubs. The Hubs play a key role in external influencing, knowledge management, and the development of our capability on cross‑cutting issues. This role is to lead our Hub on Environment and Climate Change.
The purpose of the Environment and Climate Change (E&CC) hub is to build the NAO’s skills, influence and programme of work on environment and climate change, to support the value for money of Government’s delivery of its goals; and to be a catalyst for improved sustainability reporting and assurance practices in the public sector.
The main purpose of the role is to lead our work on environmental sustainability and climate change. It is an exciting opportunity to lead our E&CC hub through the next stage of development.
Responsibilities
Develop long‑term strategy for the Environment hub in supporting delivery of our NAO five‑year strategy
(NAO strategy)
Initiate, direct or advise on relevant outputs, including good practice guides, value‑for‑money (performance audit) work and assurance activities
Lead teams and oversee provision of expert advice on sustainability assurance and reporting matters to relevant groups and consultations, working with NAO experts in financial and non‑financial audit
Build and maintain external networks with senior civil servants, Parliament, expert communities, standard setters and representative bodies
Work with the senior leaders in the Hub and the Deputy Head of the Financial Audit service line and our Financial Audit Practice and Quality Team to develop our methodological approach to sustainability assurance, in accordance with relevant standards, good practice and guidance
Take a central role in the development of a learning and professional development plan for performance audit of environment and climate change programmes and sustainability reporting and assurance skills at the NAO
Keep abreast of significant future developments, changes, emerging trends, and relevant issues in the external environment
People Management
Lead development of Hub team, ways of working and culture
Contribute to the development of our people and organisation as part of the NAO senior management
Be a credible and effective thought leader and bring together insights from our people
Build effective working relationships across the NAO corporate services, and financial and value for money audit teams
Be an effective team leader and coach and motivate professional development across a wide network as well as through your direct line management role
Relationships
Reports to: Executive Director, Infrastructure Group. The team sits within the NAO’s Infrastructure Group but you will also work closely with other senior leaders in the NAO including the Executive Director for Knowledge and Insights, as well as the Deputy Head of Financial Audit.
Internal relationships: Directors of other specialist insight teams, audit teams covering a range of audited bodies, practice and quality teams for value for money and financial audit, external communications, and parliamentary relations.
External relationships: External experts within government and in external organisations; national and international standard‑setters; parliamentary officials, MPs and relevant Committees, including the Environmental Audit Committee and the Public Accounts Committee.
Staff resources managed: You will manage a core team with three senior managers, one focused on developing our methodologies and approach to reporting standards, and one leading our reports for public and parliamentary scrutiny and one leading the value for money portfolio for the hub, as well as a small team of analysts and auditors. You will also be able to draw in others from across the NAO where needed on a project basis.
Skills required
Be highly credible in representing the NAO’s work with external experts, Parliament and senior stakeholders. An expert leader internally and externally
Oversee and deliver well‑produced written outputs which support our findings and recommendations and are designed to engage a wide audience.
Make sound, independent judgements when advising others.
Confidently and effectively influence positive and impactful change using a range of communication and engagement approaches tailored to key stakeholders both internally and externally
Lead and inspire diverse, multidisciplinary, collaborative high‑performing teams, promoting a culture of feedback, continuous improvement and wellbeing
Show creativity and innovation in how we do our work and build insights and support teams to do so
Experience analysing or auditing environment and climate policy interventions; a sound understanding of relevant frameworks, principles and standards for sustainability reporting and assurance; as well as
Experience managing projects and producing clear, high‑quality written work, meeting professional standards and supporting organisational aims
Experience working effectively with a range of stakeholders, including the ability to communicate complex findings clearly to diverse audiences. Experience with public sector bodies is desirable but not essential.
Attributes
Shows determination and flexibility in overcoming challenges and meeting goals, adapting positively to change
Demonstrates a genuine interest in improving public services, upholding organisational values and constructively sharing your professional perspective
Committed to ongoing personal development and delivering organisational objectives, actively seeking feedback and maintaining up‑to‑date knowledge in your field
Compliance with corporate responsibilities and interest in supporting others to do so
Working in accordance with the NAO's values and championing our diversity and inclusion strategy
Intellectual curiosity, especially about using data and evidence to answer questions
Equal opportunities and diversity Applicants will not be discriminated against on the grounds of any protected characteristic or any other extraneous factor. The NAO is an equal opportunity employer and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals, including those from under‑represented groups.
Disability and Reasonable Adjustments Applicants with a disability who wish their application to be considered under the Disability Confident scheme should confirm this when submitting their application. Under this scheme we guarantee an interview to an applicant with a disability who meets the minimum requirements for the role. You should also let our HR team know if you wish us to consider any reasonable adjustments at any stage of the process.
How to apply To be considered for this role, please submit your up‑to‑date CV along with a covering letter (maximum two pages) detailing with specific examples, how you meet the key person criteria before the application deadline of Sunday 2 November 2025. If you experience any issues during the application process, please contact
hrservicedesk@nao.org.uk . Interviews are scheduled to take place during the week commencing 17 & 24 November 2025.
Candidate drop‑in session We will be hosting a candidate drop‑in session on Tuesday 21 October from 3 pm until 3.30 pm. If you would like to attend, please contact us via
hrservicedesk@nao.org.uk
and we will then send you a link to the session.
Nationality requirements
UK nationals
Nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
Nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with (or eligible for) status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
Please note, we are not able to sponsor work visas. Please contact us at hrservicedesk@nao.org.uk should you have any questions on your nationality eligibility.
Conflicts of interest It is essential that the NAO upholds, and is seen to uphold, the highest standards of propriety in its governance, and potential candidates will need to ensure that they do not hold any non‑executive posts, any other appointments, or any other interests which may be in conflict with their NAO role. Please contact us at hrservicedesk@nao.org.uk.
Seniority level Director
Employment type Contract
Job function Other
Industries Advertising Services
#J-18808-Ljbffr