Assistant Project Sponsor - Working for Essex

About the role

Assistant Project Sponsor

Permanent, Full Time

£34,607 to £40,714 Per Annum

Location: Chelmsford

Closing Date:29th July 2026

The Role

The Capital Investment and Delivery team will develop and deliver the capital programme for Essex County Council. The team will focus on developing opportunities for capital investment in order to secure financial returns to support the Council’s strategic priorities.

The Opportunity

The primary purpose of this role is to undertake energy surveys across the ECC property portfolio, identifying opportunities to improve energy efficiency and reduce consumption. The postholder will assess buildings and systems, highlight areas for improvement, and provide recommendations to support the implementation of energy-saving measures across the estate. Working closely with the Facilities Management team, the role will help drive continuous improvement initiatives, support sustainability objectives, and ensure that opportunities for operational efficiencies are identified and acted upon. The postholder will also work collaboratively with Salix to monitor and report on existing grant-funded projects, ensuring compliance with funding requirements and supporting the successful delivery of energy and carbon reduction programmes.

To read more about our business area, please visit: Policy, Economy, Investment and Property

The successful candidate will demonstrate a strong background in energy surveying, with a working knowledge of energy consumption metrics, including kW usage and demand profiling. They will have proven experience in conducting energy efficiency and energy-saving surveys, identifying opportunities to reduce consumption and improve building performance.

The role requires familiarity with current government funding schemes and grant programmes that support energy efficiency and carbon reduction initiatives, and the ability to incorporate these into project planning and delivery. A practical understanding of energy management principles, data analysis, and reporting will be essential to support informed decision-making and drive sustainable outcomes.

Accountabilities

Conduct energy surveys and audits across the ECC property portfolio to identify opportunities for improved energy efficiency, carbon reduction and cost savings.

Produce energy survey reports with clear recommendations and prioritised action plans to support the implementation of energy-saving measures.
Work collaboratively with Facilities Management colleagues to identify, promote and deliver opportunities for continuous improvement across the property portfolio.
Support the development and delivery of energy efficiency, decarbonisation and sustainability initiatives in line with ECC's strategic objectives.
Assist in the identification, development and management of energy efficiency projects, ensuring projects are delivered within agreed timescales and budgets.
Maintain accurate records of energy surveys, project outcomes, savings achieved and other performance data to support reporting requirements.
Act as the key liaison with Salix and other funding bodies, ensuring grant-funded projects are appropriately monitored, managed and reported.
Support the identification and application for external funding opportunities that contribute to ECC's energy efficiency and carbon reduction objectives.
Provide technical advice and guidance to stakeholders, building users and Facilities Management teams on energy efficiency best practice.
Ensure all activities are undertaken in accordance with relevant legislation, regulations, health and safety requirements and ECC policies and procedures.

The Experience You Will Bring

Experience of undertaking energy surveys, site inspections or building performance assessments across a diverse property portfolio.
Experience of identifying, recommending and supporting the implementation of energy efficiency and carbon reduction measures.
Experience of analysing energy consumption data, utility information and performance metrics to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.
Experience of working with Facilities Management, Property, Estates or Building Services teams.
Experience of managing multiple workstreams and prioritising activities across a varied estate portfolio.
Experience of engaging and influencing a range of stakeholders to achieve improvements in energy performance and sustainability outcomes.
Experience of monitoring project performance and reporting against key objectives and targets.

Why Essex?

As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we’re committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in Everyone's Essex. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.

In March 2026, the Government announced that councils in Greater Essex will be reorganised into five new unitary authorities from April 2028. In addition to this, Greater Essex has been accepted on to the devolution priority programme, where we will work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority. You can read more about these changes, and what this may mean for this role, on our careers site.

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

Once you’ve secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.

At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.

Please note that the job role requires you to be mobile throughout an operational area. Therefore, the post holder will need to have a driving licence and access to a vehicle, or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means.

As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community

If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email resourcing.team@essex.gov.uk

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