Head of City Leap Client and Energy Service

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Job description
Full-Time, Permanent

Powering Bristol's future through innovation, partnership and sustainability

The Challenge

Bristol City Leap is a globally recognised, first-of-its-kind joint venture between Bristol City Council, Ameresco, and Vattenfall Heat UK.

Over the next 20 years, it will deliver more than £1 billion of investment into Bristol's energy system, accelerating the city's journey to carbon neutrality.

The joint venture will be invested in:

• Expanding Bristol's award-winning heat network.
• Installing solar panels and low-carbon heating in schools and homes.
• Decarbonising the council's property assets.
• Transforming the council's EV infrastructure.
• Supporting community-owned renewable energy projects.

The programme will deliver 140,000 tonnes of carbon savings, 180MW of zero-carbon generation, and £61.5 million in social value.

This is a high-profile, complex programme with national and international interest. It requires strategic leadership, deep technical expertise, and the ability to navigate a multi-stakeholder environment to ensure Bristol remains at the forefront of urban decarbonisation.

About you

You're a strategic leader with a passion for sustainability and a drive to make a tangible impact.

You thrive in complex environments, where collaboration, innovation and long-term thinking are essential. You understand the importance of balancing public sector priorities with private sector dynamics, and you're confident navigating political landscapes and multi-stakeholder partnerships.

We're looking for someone who brings:

• Extensive experience in contract management, energy supply, and joint venture governance.
• Strong strategic thinking and the ability to connect operational detail with long-term outcomes.
• Excellent negotiation and advocacy skills, with the confidence to represent the council's interests in high-profile forums.
• Knowledge of heat networks and the ability to hold partners to account, including engagement with government departments.
• Experience working in politically complex environments and advising senior stakeholders.
• A track record of innovation, horizon scanning, and delivering results through partnerships.
• Leadership capability to inspire teams and build effective relationships across public and private sectors.

In this role, you'll need to bring a rare combination of technical expertise, strategic vision and relationship-building skills. You'll be someone who can lead with clarity, advocate with credibility, and deliver with purpose.

The Benefits

We're proud to be a city that is undergoing major change. Working towards communal goals, our people enjoy a uniquely collaborative and forward-thinking environment.

You'll receive a competitive salary enhanced by flexible working options, generous holiday entitlement, and access to our desirable Local Government Pension Scheme.

We strive for an inclusive, high-performing, healthy and motivated workforce. To help us achieve this we offer plenty of flexibility to adopt agile working practices and family friendly policies.

With the backing of a supportive management team and colleagues who are genuinely passionate about their work, you'll have the chance to make Bristol a better place and contribute to its future.

For informal enquiries please contact Peter Anderson, Director of Infrastructure, Assets and Property: peter.anderson@bristol.gov.uk

For more information about Bristol City Leap then please visit our recruitment site if you haven't already done so.

Please find attached the full Job Description and Person Specification.

Apply

To apply please click below to submit your CV along with a supporting statement that details how you meet the criteria within the Person Specification.

Closing date: 19 October 2025

Interviews to be held w/c 3 November 2025

No agencies please.

At Bristol City Council, we value having a workforce as diverse as the city we serve. We therefore welcome, develop and promote people from all sections of the community.

We particularly welcome applications from Women, Black and racially minoritised, and Disabled candidates who are currently under-represented within senior leadership roles of Bristol City Council. Appointments will be made on merit.