Natural Environment Principal

Location: UK-London

JOB ID: 2025-1728

Position Type: Permanent Full-Time

Overview

RSSB is looking for someone who can lead the charge in shaping GB Rail’s response to climate, nature and sustainability as our new Natural Environment Principal.

RSSB’s sustainable development team has responsibility for the continued development and implementation of the UK rail industry’s strategic approach to sustainability, as encapsulated within the Sustainable Rail Blueprint (SRB). As Natural Environment Principal, you will work across industry to manage the delivery of RSSB’s programme of activities to support delivery of the Natural Environment topics of the Blueprint: climate adaptation; waste and circularity; water; and nature and biodiversity. At a pivotal time in UK rail, this role will work closely with key stakeholders from across industry and beyond to deliver real impact.

Reporting to the Sustainable Development Director, alongside the Emissions Management and Social Sustainability Principals, this is a newly created role which will initially have one direct report with potential for further team development to be led by the successful candidate.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the ‘Prepared for a Changing Climate’, ‘Zero Waste’, ‘Railway for Nature’ and “Protect and Conserve Water” topics within the industry’s Sustainable Rail Blueprint.
• Lead and grow the technical team to ensure the team is developed and equipped to deliver against industry’s ambitions in these subject areas.
• Oversee the Zero Waste, Nature and Biodiversity, and Climate Adaptation Technical Working Groups to ensure these industry forums are informed of latest developments in policy, regulations and stakeholder expectations, and taking action on the initiatives to deliver the environmental aspects of the Sustainable Rail Blueprint.
• Develop and maintain relationships with key external stakeholders, bringing expert and external perspectives and best practice from other sectors into the rail industry.
• Maintain up-to-date expertise in climate adaptation, biodiversity, nature and resource consumption and management, keeping up to date with all relevant industry, government, and technical developments. Ensure industry is informed and equipped to respond accordingly.
• Proactively shape the environmental agenda for the Sustainable Rail Leadership Group and the Sustainable Rail Executive, and other industry forums.
• Consider the research needs of the industry in relation to the Natural Environment, and develop and lead research projects in response.
• Manage, mentor and coach team roles to ensure the quality and timely delivery of their work, provide suitable development opportunities and assist them in the management of their workload.
• Work closely with the Heads of Emissions Management and Social Sustainability, and the wider sustainability team, to identify opportunities for collaboration and cohesion across the sustainability and wider RSSB remit.
• Represent RSSB and the wider industry externally as a subject matter expert on Natural Environment, including speaking at external events and conferences and supporting company communications.

Qualifications

Essential:

• Expertise in sustainable development or environmental management, including a relevant university degree in environmental science/sustainability or equivalent, or professional status with the Institute of Sustainability and Environmental Professions ISEP (or equivalent) or comparable industry experience.
• Demonstratable experience and knowledge in one or all Natural Environment topics, including climate adaptation, nature and biodiversity, water and waste and circularity in a transport or infrastructure related context.
• Understanding of environmental and sustainability issues at technical, policy and industry level, with desire to develop further knowledge in a range of environmental and sustainability topics within the rail industry.
• Experience of processing complex data and information and synthesising it for internal and external audiences
• Communicate effectively and share thoughts and ideas through methods appropriate to the audience.
• Adapt and respond effectively when embracing new opportunities, change and in navigating uncertainty.
• Actively contribute as part of a team and work towards achieving team goals and outcomes.
• Take responsibility and demonstrate accountability in completing tasks and achieving objectives, actively seeking to resolve problems and identify opportunities.
• Committed to customer service and placing customer satisfaction at the heart of our success to ensure we deliver against our shared goals.
• Build effective professional relationships with stakeholders, understanding their unique goals and motivations, gaining credibility and effectively influencing to achieve desired outcomes.
• Can work collaboratively within an evolving industry, gaining stakeholder confidence through understanding their goals and motivations and demonstrating credibility as an expert.
• Make timely, informed decisions taking account of the benefits and constraints involved
• Incorporate an inclusive leadership style, developing and retaining talent and constructively challenging habits and assumptions whilst remaining inclusive and ensuring everyone is heard.
• Act and make decisions based on a good understanding of the current and future needs of the organisation to perform to a high standard and focus on delivering outcomes.
• Positively communicates and delivers with impact and influence.

Desirable:

• Experience of Natural Environment topics within the context of rail.
• Line management experience, including developing and coaching junior colleagues.
• Experience of working closely with government, particularly the Department for Transport.

We are committed to investing in our staff and offer formal and informal learning opportunities for development.

We value diversity and equal opportunities in employment and are committed to creating a workplace which is inclusive to everyone. As a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, we encourage candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria, to apply for our jobs. If you have applied under the Disability Confident Scheme, please let us know in advance by emailing. Find out more about Diversity and Inclusion at RSSB: Rail Safety and Standards Board Careers - VERCIDA

If you require any reasonable adjustments with respect to our selection process including information in an alternative format, please contact us.

We understand the importance of work-life balance and we offer our staff the flexibility to work within our core hours and the option to vary their location between both the office and home. If you are looking for further flexibility, speak to us at interview stage so that we can consider your request.

We value our staff and we offer a competitive benefits package to ensure our staff can achieve their best throughout their journey with us. This includes 30 days annual leave (plus bank holidays); a holiday buy and sell scheme; private medical and dental cover; a season ticket loan and travel subsidy; access to a cycle to work scheme; volunteer leave; a performance related bonus and pension.