Fixed term until April 2028

Do you believe funding can be done differently, with trust, transparency and real power-sharing?

Energy Saving Trust Foundation is seeking an Interim Head of Foundation to lead our work at a pivotal moment, as we deliver our new 2026–2028 strategy and continue to grow our impact in youth-led climate action.

This is a senior, hands-on leadership role for someone who brings experience in trust-based grant-making, strong relational skills, and a commitment to climate justice and equity.

The role

As Interim Head of Foundation, you will:

• Lead the Foundation’s day-to-day operations, ensuring high-quality, trust-based relationships with partners

• Work closely with the Board of Trustees to shape and deliver strategic priorities

• Oversee grant-making activity, with a focus on youth-led and community-rooted climate action

• Guide exploration of future models for the Foundation to maximise long-term impact

• Represent the Foundation internally and externally, building strong partnerships

About you

You are likely to bring:

• Senior experience in foundations, grant-making or social justice-led funding

• A strong understanding of trust-based and participatory approaches

• Excellent relationship-building and leadership skills

• A values-driven approach, with a deep commitment to climate justice and inclusion

• Confidence working with Boards and senior stakeholders

You don’t need to tick every box, we’re interested in how you think, lead and collaborate.

About Energy Saving Trust Foundation

Established in 2014, Energy Saving Trust Foundation is the charitable arm of Energy Saving Trust. We fund and support organisations that empower young people experiencing inequality to lead meaningful climate action in their communities. Our approach is trust-based, flexible and youth-centred, and we are proud to work alongside partners across the UK to build a fairer, more sustainable future.

For more information, please see the job description

Please submit an anonymised CV and cover letter, removing your name, address, email address, and any other identifying details. Please note, applications submitted without a cover letter may be rejected.

Who we are

Energy Saving Trust is a leading and trusted organisation, dedicated to promoting energy efficiency, low carbon transport and sustainable energy use. We aim to address the climate emergency and deliver the wider benefits of clean energy as we transition to net zero.

At Energy Saving Trust we don’t just offer jobs – we offer careers. For our people, being part of the effort to address the climate emergency makes working for us truly meaningful and rewarding.

Work where you thrive

At Energy Saving Trust, flexibility isn’t just a policy, it’s how we work. Most of our roles can be done remotely, and many of our people choose to work from home full-time. Prefer an office environment? We have welcoming spaces in London, Edinburgh, Belfast, Cardiff and Hadleigh for those who want to connect in person.

We’ll support you with:

• Generous holiday (25 days + bank holidays + extra Christmas leave)

• True flexibility in how and where you work

• Strong pension & life assurance

• Enhanced family leave

• Green travel perks (EV scheme, cycle to work)

• Professional development support

• Yearly wellbeing allowance

These are just some of the benefits we offer.

Want to know more about how we make flexibility real? Check out our Benefits and Culture page

Reasonable adjustments: We want to ensure that our recruitment process is inclusive of and accessible for, everyone.

If you think you may need additional support or reasonable adjustments made to any part of the recruitment process, please get in touch with recruitment@est.org.uk or call reception on +44 (0)20 7222 0101. We will do our very best to support you.

Diversity and inclusion
Energy Saving Trust is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive and equitable workplace where everyone can be themselves, with support to be their best.

We strongly encourage applicants from a wide range of backgrounds and with different identities and experiences to apply for roles with Energy Saving Trust.

We are a Disability Confident Committed employer and we ringfence a minimum number of interview slots for candidates who apply via the Disability Confident scheme and meet the criteria for a role. Find out more here.

You can find out more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion here.

Please note, that we are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this post. To apply for this post, you must be able to demonstrate your eligibility to work in the UK