Director of Energy and ESG

UPP, the leading partner to UK universities for on-campus accommodation infrastructure, is seeking to recruit a Director of Energy and ESG. UPP is the UK’s leading provider of on-campus residential accommodation infrastructure, operating over 35,000 rooms in partnership with 15 world-leading universities across the UK. At UPP we have a proud history of leading innovation in campus accommodation, having invested over £3.5bn over the last three decades, working with world-leading architects to build or redevelop highly sustainable student accommodation that meets Passivhaus, BREEAM and WELL standards. The Director of Energy and ESG reports to the Chief Operating Officer and will lead the development and execution of UPP’s energy, utilities, and sustainability strategies, ensuring optimal business performance while minimising environmental impact. As a senior leader in an influential role, they will position UPP as a forward-thinking organisation with a strong commercial focus on environmental and ESG priorities. This role involves driving cost and risk-optimised energy and utilities management across the portfolio, while also delivering on key environmental commitments such as reducing energy consumption, carbon emissions, and operational costs. UPP are proud of their progress so far. In June 2025 they published their annual sustainability report, showing that they achieved a wide range of environmental sustainability targets and recorded impressive achievements in social value alongside strong corporate governance. The Director of Energy and ESG will build on this momentum. They are looking for you to be an industry-leading energy and sustainability professional with a track record of delivering significant energy saving programmes and sustainability strategies through innovation, positive change management and operational efficiency/continuous improvement. You will also have excellent communication and influencing skills, with a high level of credibility as a subject matter expert in the field of energy management and sustainability. The role attracts a competitive salary commensurate with a role at this level, together with a generous performance bonus. UPP is an inclusive and flexible employer and offers comprehensive benefits package including 29 days holiday plus bank holidays, private healthcare, pension, enhanced family leave policy, life assurance, training, two paid volunteering or personal development days and cycle to work scheme. The role is based at UPP’s award-winning offices in London, with a hybrid working policy that supports working from home around 2 days a week. Due to the nature of the role, you can expect regular travel across the UK to university locations. For a confidential discussion please contact our retained advisors Hannah Searle and Sian Gardiner at MRG. Applications should consist of a CV and covering letter and should be sent to Hannah and Sian via their email addresses. The closing date for applications is Sunday 13th July 2025. UPP welcomes all applications and recognises the value of having a diverse and inclusive culture, which reflects the communities they work with and has a positive impact on their people, the student residents, and university partners. They understand all disabilities, impairments and conditions are unique, so please advise us of any adjustments to support you through the recruitment process and also help you to thrive at work