Reflecting on my first term at Leeds Trinity University, something that is really clear to me is our culture and commitment towards wanting to make this world a better place – whether that’s as individuals taking ownership to widen participation and instil a sense of belonging, or through our wider responsibilities to our local community and to Leeds as a city region.

It’s also clear that this is a really exciting time to join Leeds Trinity University. We are set to establish a new city centre location, we have some really ambitious plans for our Horsforth campus, and we have some very serious commitments to deliver. As part of this, we have challenges to manage around our estate but we also, by far, have so many opportunities to make a difference through our sustainability strategy and delivery model.

‘People and Sustainability’ is a key pillar of Leeds Trinity’s Strategic Plan, which was launched last year by our Vice-Chancellor, Professor Charles Egbu. This part of the plan guides our approach to creating a sustainable environment in all aspects of how and where we work, and there are so many ways in which this will come to life. At the heart of it all, we envisage a green, vibrant and exciting campus. We will achieve net zero carbon emissions for Scope 1 and 2 by 2030. And our curriculum will align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to develop graduates with embedded sustainability values.

To deliver on our ambitions, we have been investing in our structures, and the Director of Sustainability who comes to join us will have a fantastic opportunity to work with some amazing leaders in this field. These include Professor of Science Education, Leigh Hoath, who champions the vital importance of sustainability and climate change education through her work and research, and Dr Tamsin Bowers-Brown, Director of the Office for Institutional Equity.

If we are truly going to deliver on our sustainability convictions, then we must work collaboratively to ensure all areas of student, staff and our community’s lives are enhanced by what we do. We must be prepared to stand up and be counted about our impacts on our environment and society.

Our sustainability culture will be about more than decarbonising the estate and we must think beyond our University’s physical boundaries. The Director of Sustainability at Leeds Trinity will set the agenda, collaborate and innovate to make this happen.

There’s so much potential for the years ahead, with tangible ways to make a real difference to the world around us. So, if you are someone who wants to work within an organisation that cares about its people, community, and impact on the lives of students and society; if the organisation you are looking for is somewhere you can have your own sense of belonging; and if you’re ready to take this University from its strategic ambitions into delivering results – this could be the role for you!

Jo Hynes is Chief Operating Officer at Leeds Trinity University. Find out more about the Director of Sustainability role and other opportunities at Leeds Trinity on our jobs webpage.