Are you passionate about sustainability in higher education and ready to lead meaningful change across curriculum and governance?
Join The Open University as a Senior Manager, Curriculum Sustainability and play a pivotal role in embedding sustainability into teaching, learning, and institutional practice.
About the Role
The Senior Manager, Curriculum Sustainability, is a key role within the Sustainability Office as part of the Governance, Compliance and Legal Services (GCLS) unit. Working collaboratively, the post-holder provides academic and institutional sustainability support and relationship management across the University, working with a range of stakeholders to achieve organisational sustainability commitments and to promote good practice to individual units, key university groups and committees. This role will lead on organisational sustainability commitments including but not limited to Responsible Futures accreditation (every two years), the Concordat for Environmental Sustainability of Research and Innovation and annual Climate and Adaptation reporting on carbon emissions reporting in collaboration with relevant colleagues.
Maintaining an awareness of the changing policy and regulatory environment, the post-holder contributes to the delivery of ongoing progress on sustainability across the University, as well as to the development and promotion of efficient and effective practice. Providing expert advice on sustainability to stakeholders across all Schools and the four Faculties is an important feature of this role, supporting the Director of Sustainability in overseeing the organisational approach to sustainability. In addition, the postholder will promote good sustainability practice across the University, and provide management support to advisory groups.
Key Responsibilities
* Provide oversight and assurance of delivery against institutional sustainability KPIs and reporting requirements.
* Work with academic and professional service leads to set SMART sustainability commitments, monitor progress, and ensure quality assurance.
* Maintain and annually review the University’s Responsible Futures action plan, embedding it into strategic and academic planning.
* Coordinate and manage internal sustainability reviews, including data quality, to support external reporting and compliance.
* Enable cross‑University collaboration on sustainability data generation, analysis, decision‑making and engagement.
* Support senior leaders in delivering Sustainability Office objectives and institutional accountability for sustainability in the curriculum.
* Lead the continuous development and review of sustainability‑related processes, policies, guidance and best practice.
* Monitor curriculum development, academic quality assurance processes and student voice in relation to sustainability.
* Provide strategic advice, guidance, training resources and materials to Schools and sustainability governance groups.
* Chair and support sustainability working groups to ensure timely, accurate curriculum data and reporting.
* Lead recruitment, induction, support and (line or matrix) management of sustainability staff and academic matrix members.
* Deliver high‑quality written and verbal communications, promotional materials and committee papers on sustainability progress and activity.
About You
* Knowledge of the University’s strategic, regulatory and financial context, including risks and challenges relating to sustainability in the curriculum.
* Strong understanding of the UK higher education policy environment (across the four nations) and emerging sustainability trends.
* Demonstrable experience delivering sustainability initiatives, including curriculum development, academic processes, quality assurance, reporting and communications supported by ongoing professional development and a relevant certification in at least one of these areas.
* Excellent analytical skills, with the ability to interpret complex information, assess risks and significance, and develop evidence‑based proposals.
* Proven experience of designing, improving or redesigning processes to enhance effectiveness and compliance.
* Experience of managing committees or working groups effectively, exercising discretion and handling sensitive or confidential matters.
* Proven ability to manage, develop and support staff (line or matrix management).
* Strong collaborative skills, with the ability to build and leverage internal and external networks to achieve results.
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including drafting clear committee papers and delivering training or workshops.
* Ability to work holistically and creatively to resolve complex problems, often under pressure and with incomplete information.
* Strong organisational and project management skills, managing multiple complex priorities simultaneously to agreed standards.
* High personal integrity, resilience and motivation, with the ability to work independently, adapt to change, and the ability to carry out the role in a way that is consistent with equality legislation and University policies.
Support with your application
If you have any questions, or need support or adjustments relating to your application, the recruitment process, or the role, please contact us on 01908 541111 or email careers@open.ac.uk quoting the advert reference number.
Why Join The Open University?
At The Open University, we’re leaders in accessible education and committed to creating a more sustainable future. This is your opportunity to influence curriculum at scale and drive meaningful environmental and social impact across a world‑class institution.
Our benefits include:
* 33 days annual leave, on top of bank holidays and a three‑day Christmas closure period.
* Access to a leading pension scheme for UK higher education with generous employer contributions.
* Staff Fee Waivers for OU study, meaning you could earn a degree for free.
* Hybrid working, with limited requirement to attend the office in‑person, with agile working and family friendly policies.
* Discounts, wellbeing support, and development opportunities.
Ready to make an impact?
Apply now and help shape a more sustainable future for education bringing innovation, integrity, and leadership to curriculum sustainability here at one of the UK’s most respected institutions.
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