Would you like to join the AUDE sustainability advisory group as deputy chair? There's an upcoming vacancy in this volunteer position that does so much to shape members' experience of AUDE. Please get in touch with Cheryl Pick, our Strategic Project Manager using the information below. 

About AUDE’s sustainability advisory group
The AUDE Sustainability Advisory Group (SAG) is a strategic body that advises the AUDE Executive Committee on sustainability priorities across the higher education estates sector. It fosters collaboration with key sector partners and builds links with government and industry leaders to influence policy and promote best practice. The group supports AUDE members by sharing initiatives, guidance, and good, with a particular focus on the journey to net zero carbon. SAG also champions tools like the Sustainability Leadership Scorecard, and works to position estates and facilities professionals as leaders in sustainable development across the UK and Ireland.

Tenure

A three-year term with an option of a further three years if re-elected to run concurrently, renewable only once. 

The main aims of the role are

1. Assist and support the group chair in defining work programme activities that meet members’ needs.
2. Attend and contribute to SAG’s executive committee meetings x 4 per year, via teams
3. Develop strategic partnerships to identify how best to promote estates and facilities as leaders in sustainable development.
4. Deputise occasionally for the group chair when they are unavailable. This will include chairing by the special interest group’s (SIG) own executive meetings, reporting to and/or attending the full AUDE executive committee which are held on a quarterly basis
5. Develop plans for communication, reach, impact, training and membership in order to promote the UK HE estate as a leader of sustainable development 
6. Ensure membership of the SIG is maintained at appropriate levels with adequate representation of the interests of the association as a whole. Current membership is listed below.
7. Be willing to present at member events on related issues as and when required
8. Any other relevant/related duties which from time to time might be requested by the Executive. 

Who can apply

You must be a registered member of AUDE and hold a current role within a UK or Republic of Ireland institution.

Desirable experience;

• A current sustainability role within higher education
• Awareness of AUDE and its membership
• Ability to appreciate the wishes and interests of the full AUDE membership
• Ability to work with a range of members
• Ability to devote sufficient time to the post 

Other things to note

• Meeting dates, invitations and agendas will be administrated by the AUDE team with advice from the group chair 
• Similarly, the notes and actions from the meetings are created the AUDE team with sign off from the group chair 

Time commitment

• Attend four SIG executive committee meetings per year via teams, approximately 2 hours each. Plus time to read papers and prepare.
• Deputise for the chair at national executive committee meetings as and when required. This might typically be once a year to cover the chair’s absence. The meetings are held quarterly in March, June, September and December, lasting three hours. At least one of these will be in person, the rest will be via teams. The meeting will also require two hours preparation time to submit a written update to the executive and read the associated agenda and papers.

What you will get in return

• A seat on the national executive committee when the chair is unable to attend
• Full support from the AUDE team and Executive Director
• An amazing sense of pride and achievement when you see all the hard work come to fruition
• Raising your own profile, adding to your network
• The ability to drive and shape the association and contribute to its success.

Process for application
If you are interested in applying, please complete this personal statement and return to cheryl@aude.ac.uk. All applications will be reviewed by the chair of the sustainability advisory group and a successful candidate appointed.

Closing date for applications is 31 October 2025. Further helpful information is contained in the AUDE volunteer handbook.

SAG committee members

• Dr. Roddy Yarr – Director of Sustainability, University of Glasgow (Chair)
• Dan Fernbank – Energy & Sustainability Manager, University of Reading (Committee member)
• Fiona Goodwin – Deputy CEO, Environmental Association for Universities & Colleges (EAUC) (Committee member)
• Harriet Waters – Director of Sustainability, UCL (Committee member)
• Lisa Ambler – Membership Development Manager, HESPA (Committee member)
• Rachael Hanmer-Dwight – Head of Environmental Sustainability & Energy Services, University of Liverpool (Committee member)
• Richard Jackson – Director of Sustainability, University of Bath (Committee member)
• Steph Hacker – Senior Researcher, ADE (Committee member)
• Stuart Foy – Development Manager, Lancaster University (Committee member)
• Matthew Bennett – Assistant Carbon Manager, University of Cambridge (Committee member)
• Joanna Chamberlain – Director of Sustainability, University of Exeter (Committee member)
• Matt Sisson – Projects and Membership Manager, BUFDG (Committee member)
• Cheryl Pick, Strategic Project Manager, AUDE (notes and project management)
• Richard Ralph, AUDE (admin support)