Director, Environment and Climate Change Join to apply for the Director, Environment and Climate Change role at UK National Audit Office 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. Plus Civil Service employer pension 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 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 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 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.

Skills required

Highly credible in representing the NAO’s work with external experts, Parliament and senior stakeholders 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. 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 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. 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.

Attributes

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.

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)

Equal opportunities and diversity Applicants will not be discriminated against on the grounds of any protected characteristic or any other extraneous factor. 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. Contact HR Service Desk: hrservicedesk@nao.org.uk Location: London or Newcastle (minimum 2 days per week in office) Salary: c.£93,000 plus Civil Service pension Contract: Fixed term contract or secondment until 31 December 2027

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