Background & Client Overview
The University of London appointed Maxwell Stephens to recruit a Head of Sustainability to lead the development and delivery of its environmental and sustainability agenda.
Working within the University’s Estates and Property Services function, the role was strategically important in helping translate ambitious sustainability commitments into practical action across the estate and wider organisation.
The successful candidate needed to combine sustainability expertise, strategic leadership, stakeholder engagement and the ability to influence cultural change, with a particular focus on progressing the University’s goal of achieving zero operational carbon.
The Challenge
The University required a senior sustainability professional capable of providing both strategic direction and practical leadership.
The role extended beyond environmental compliance or individual sustainability projects. The successful candidate needed to embed sustainability into decision-making across the organisation and encourage meaningful behavioural change among employees, departments and stakeholders.
Key priorities included:
Sustainability Strategy
Leading the development, implementation and ongoing evolution of the University’s Sustainability Strategy.
Zero Operational Carbon
Driving progress towards the University’s strategic ambition of achieving zero operational carbon and ensuring appropriate initiatives supported that objective.
Cultural & Behavioural Change
Encouraging employees and stakeholders to consider sustainability in everyday decisions and helping embed more environmentally responsible behaviours across University activities.
Strategic Leadership
Providing expert advice and direction on sustainability priorities while ensuring environmental objectives remained aligned with the University’s wider strategy.
Stakeholder Engagement
Building effective relationships across Estates and Property Services, academic and professional departments, senior leadership and other stakeholder groups.
Sustainability Governance
Helping establish appropriate structures, priorities and accountability for delivering the organisation’s sustainability commitments.
Our Recruitment Approach
Maxwell Stephens worked closely with the University of London to develop a detailed understanding of the technical, strategic and cultural requirements of the appointment.
Detailed Role Analysis
We collaborated with key University stakeholders to clarify the responsibilities, priorities and leadership qualities required from the new Head of Sustainability.
This allowed us to build a candidate profile that reflected both the technical demands of the position and the University’s wider sustainability ambitions.
Targeted Search
Using our specialist Facilities, Estates and Sustainability networks, we identified professionals with relevant experience in sustainability strategy, carbon reduction, environmental leadership and organisational change.
Our search focused on candidates capable of moving beyond policy development and turning sustainability commitments into measurable programmes of activity.
Comprehensive Assessment
Candidates were evaluated on their:
- sustainability and environmental expertise
- strategic leadership capability
- experience developing and implementing sustainability strategies
- understanding of carbon-reduction initiatives
- stakeholder-management skills
- ability to influence cultural and behavioural change
- communication and leadership style
- alignment with the University’s organisational objectives
Stakeholder Interviews
We coordinated multiple interview stages with key University stakeholders to ensure shortlisted candidates demonstrated the right combination of technical capability, leadership style and cultural fit.
Successful Appointment
Following a detailed search and selection process, Maxwell Stephens successfully placed a highly qualified Head of Sustainability within the University’s Estates and Property Services function.
Outcome & Impact
The successful appointment strengthened the University of London’s sustainability leadership and provided the organisation with a dedicated senior professional capable of driving its environmental agenda forward.
Stronger Sustainability Leadership
The Head of Sustainability brought clear strategic direction to the University’s sustainability programme, helping coordinate priorities and strengthen focus across the organisation.
Progress Towards Zero Operational Carbon
The appointment provided dedicated leadership for the University’s ambition to achieve zero operational carbon, ensuring carbon reduction remained a prominent strategic priority.
More Structured Sustainability Strategy
The candidate took responsibility for developing and implementing the Sustainability Strategy, helping create a clearer framework for future activity and investment.
Greater Stakeholder Engagement
Strong communication and influencing skills supported engagement with stakeholders across the University, helping sustainability become a more visible consideration in operational and strategic discussions.
Increased Focus on Behavioural Change
The role helped promote greater awareness of sustainability across University activities, supporting the longer-term objective of embedding environmentally responsible behaviours into organisational culture.
Outcome
The successful placement gave the University of London a senior sustainability leader capable of combining environmental expertise, strategic thinking, stakeholder influence and organisational change.
The appointment demonstrates Maxwell Stephens’ ability to recruit specialist leaders for Estates and Property functions where sustainability is becoming increasingly central to estate strategy, operational performance and long-term organisational resilience.
Looking for an experienced Head of Sustainability to lead carbon reduction, environmental strategy or organisational change? Contact Maxwell Stephens to discuss your recruitment requirements.