Energy & Environmental Analyst

Salary: UE07 £37,099 – £44,263 per annum (A revised salary range for this grade of £39,347 to £46,974 is planned to take effect from Spring 2024).

Location: Edinburgh/ Hybrid

About Us

The University of Edinburgh is a world-leading centre of research focused on tomorrow’s greatest challenges.  Our Strategy 2030 focuses on four key themes shaped by our values: People; Research; Teaching and Learning; Social and Civic Responsibility. 

Our Social and Civic Responsibility Delivery Plan to 2030 includes key objectives which include becoming a zero carbon and zero waste university; supporting inclusion and widening participation in higher education; and working together with local communities. By 2030 our estate will be fit for purpose, sustainable and accessible. We will be on track to meet our Net Zero Carbon strategic objectives ahead of 2040 and will demonstrate integrated reporting aligned to United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.    

The University of Edinburgh has long been a sector leader on Energy, Climate and Sustainability strategy. Our vision is that our buildings, campuses and infrastructure continue to act as international exemplars for smart, modern urban energy infrastructure.  Our Energy Masterplan provides the pathway for achieving resilient, flexible and sustainable heat and power infrastructure aligned with our strategic, business and operational needs.

The University of Edinburgh was founded in 1583 and currently occupies more than 550 academic, administrative and residential buildings throughout the city of Edinburgh across 5 main campuses: Central Area (George Square, Holyrood, Pollock Halls), Kings Buildings, Easter Bush, Bio- Quarter and the Western General Hospital. Our building portfolio includes nationally important, iconic, historical buildings integral to the unique qualities and characteristics of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Edinburgh, through to state-of-the-art teaching, research and sporting facilities.

Do you want to help plan, deliver and operate a world class Net Zero strategy at the University of Edinburgh?  This is an exciting opportunity to join a growing Net Zero and Carbon Leadership team at the early stages of an exemplar Estates Strategy.   

The Role

The Energy & Environmental Analyst is a key member of the Energy & Utilities Team within the Net Zero and Carbon Leadership Directorate. The team provide strategic direction, planning and programme delivery on sustainable estate operation, energy and utilities strategy and emissions management.

The Energy & Environmental Analyst will take a lead role in developing, maintaining and communicating the energy, emissions and environmental performance of the estate by delivering effective data collation, data analytics and reporting activities. They will take a lead role in coordinating improved information management practices. This role supports the delivery of the university Strategic Plan, Capital Plan, Energy and Utilities Masterplan and Climate Strategy.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Analysis – prepare, analyse and create complex, long range, data sets applied at institutional level to inform strategic decision making. Provide data analysis insights to support the development of energy, environmental and sustainability strategies. Evaluate gross and relative performance of utilities, emissions, and investment over time. Evaluate and assess options, assess risk, set and monitor targets, report outcomes and provide informed recommendations. 

Management Reporting - Develop, maintain and communicate a range of operational management reports at institutional, campus, budget holder, building and system level.  Provide accurate, consistent and timely management reports to support a wide range of working groups and formal committees, underpinning ours quality management systems. Particular areas of focus include: utilities finance utilities demand; utilities supplies; emissions performance; infrastructure performance; asset performance; renewable energy performance; revenue and capital budget positions.

Data Source Management – Create, manage and maintain a wide range of data sources which support strategic analysis and management reporting. Work closely with the Net Zero and Carbon Leadership team to collate and consolidate a wide range of existing data sets.  Collaborate with colleagues to integrate information handling, processing, storage, and sharing across a range of software platforms.

Evolve a common data architecture and drive improved efficiency of data handling though storage, processing and integration of data sets. Integrate energy, utilities, emissions (and other) data within the emerging estate ‘data warehouse’. Engage stakeholders across the department, University, and industry to drive effective information management specifications in line with industry best practice. Support skills development across the team and wider estates department on ‘best practice’ data integration and management standards.

Data Visualization & Engagement - Streamline the use of integrated reporting tools. Integrate effective data visualizations into strategic and management reporting and external communications. Work closely with the Communications team to develop consistent engagement material; standardise documents and digital media. Support internal and external presentations and the development of effective ‘data informed’ reporting and recommendations at Executive level.

Data Quality Management – Support the development of a quality assurance process which improves the consistency, reliability and quality of data and data sources. Engage with our Energy Management System development, Emissions Management System development, and emerging Data Integration strategies to implement continual improvement processes. Develop new data sources, and opportunities to add value to existing reporting and analysis.     

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

• Educated to degree level or equivalent.
• Professional and /or academic qualification appropriate to the role, with a suitable quantitative background (e.g., economics, business analysis, science, engineering, maths, or computer science).
• A high level of experience analysing substantial and multi-faceted data sets, data manipulation, statistical analysis or data modelling.
• A high level of experience of data collation, processing, analytics and visualization.
• Experience in sourcing and structuring data, and maintaining effective databases.
• Experience interpreting data and reporting requirements and developing effective data insight solutions.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; attention to detail.
• Ability to communicate complex technical information in a clear, concise and engaging style.
• Experience creating effective data visualizations.
• Experience creating clear and concise reports applicable to a wide range of stakeholders.
• Flexible, collaborative, customer focused approach.
• Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills, with the ability to persuade, influence and negotiate with staff at all levels of seniority.
• Ability to manage conflicting priorities within a demanding workload.

Application Process

For further information and a detailed Job Description, or to apply, please contact Iain Atkinson, Director, Eden Scott by email to [email protected] or by phone on 07714 124 033. 

Closing Date for applications – Friday 9th February 2024.