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' delivery of its goals; and be a catalyst for improved sustainability reporting and assurance practices in the public sector. Develop long‑term strategy for the Environment hub in supporting delivery of our NAO five‑year strategy https://www.nao.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/nao-strategy-2025-2030.pdf 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. 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. 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 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.

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 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. 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.

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. Eligibility

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).

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