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Environment & Sustainability Lead

Remote
Full-time
24th August 2026
Listed today

Location: Remote with regular travel. Approx. A few times monthly

Work pattern: Monday-Friday, 35 hours per week

Salary: Up to £56,655.95 per year

Contract: Permanent

We are the UK’s largest cat welfare charity. All over the country, our passionate employees, volunteers and supporters are using their kindness and expertise to make life better for millions of cats and the people who care for them.

Responsibilities of our Environment & Sustainability Lead:

- Act as Cats Protection’s environmental sustainability expert and lead

- Develop and deliver our environmental and ESG strategy

- Develop and implement environmental sustainability plans across the organisation, driving change to embed sustainability into decision-making, policies, and practices

- Develop, implement and maintain an environmental management system

- Lead delivery of energy, waste, and carbon reduction initiatives

- Develop and manage environmental data, reporting, and insights to inform decision-making, monitor performance, and track progress against environmental targets

- Establish environmental targets and manage associated risks and opportunities, providing assurance and driving accountability across the organisation

- Engage and collaborate with colleagues across the organisation to embed sustainability plans

- Represent the organisation at sector forums and conferences, developing and maintaining key professional networks

About the Health & Safety and Environment team:

The team is a multi-tasking team that undertakes most Health and Safety tasks in-house, working closely with most other teams within Cats Protection. The team is made up of a head of department, senior officer, environment and sustainability lead, administrator and 4 regional officers who cover the whole of the UK. The team deal with the Cats Protection retail outlets, Cat Centres, accident investigations, DSE, branch volunteer enquiries and more.

What we’re looking for in our Environment & Sustainability Lead:

- An environment and sustainability specialist with strong experience of leading the development and implementation of environmental plans or ESG strategy

- Degree in environment management/sustainability or equivalent professional experience

- Ability to influence senior stakeholders to drive change

- Experience of engaging colleagues to foster a positive environmental sustainability culture, and develop and implement sustainability plans.

- Knowledge of ESG frameworks, carbon management, and sustainability reporting standards

- Experience of managing multiple projects or programmes

- Experience of reporting to and presenting ESG plans at all levels of an organisation and externally.

- Strong collaborator and communicator with excellent relationship-building skills

- Passion for driving positive environmental change

What we can offer you:

- 26 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing with service

- A competitive contributory pension scheme and life assurance for peace of mind

- Financial wellbeing support, including access to Salary Finance

- Access to discounted pet insurance to help care for your pet’s health

Applications may close before the deadline, so please apply early to avoid disappointment.

If successful, your recruitment journey will include:

1. anonymised application form

2. video screening

3. virtual interview

Please email recruitment@cats.org.uk if you require any adjustments to be made for you to complete your application or to participate in the recruitment journey.

We operate a bias-free application process in our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion. To assess your application quickly, fairly and objectively, please fully complete the qualifications and work history sections of our online application form.

Redacted CVs may be accepted by exception.

We believe being an inclusive, diverse organisation - where we welcome diversity of thought, value individuals' experience and can reach and partner all areas of society - is crucial if we're to help more cats. Our ambition is to work together to promote a more inclusive environment, which attracts all candidates and signals our commitment to celebrate and promote diversity.

There’s a place for everyone at Cats Protection and we encourage applications from talented people across all communities.

Cats Protection is committed to safeguarding children and adults at risk and protecting anyone that comes into contact with us from harm. We expect all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. You may be subject to a criminal record check if required for the role.