Job Description

We are seeking a passionate Sustainability Data & Insights Officer to join our Central Support Team based in Castlethorpe Near Milton Keynes.

The role is fully office based Monday-Friday 09:00-17:00.

Acorn Early Years Foundation is a charitable social enterprise providing high quality, inclusive, early years care and education. The organisation has grown organically over 36 years and now operates 18 day nurseries as well as out-of-school and holiday clubs, forest schools and nature kindergartens. It also offers an early years catering service, training and consultancy. It aspires to be a thought leader within the early years sector, in modelling sustainable, ethical practices, and is steadily increasing its social impact.

Role

The role holder will work in the Central Support Team and provide essential analytical, research, and operational support across all sustainability workstreams. Reporting to the Sustainability Lead, the role holder will work closely with them to help develop and accelerate our organisation’s sustainability progress by developing methods to enable regular sustainability reporting, providing evidence-based insights, and proactively supporting continuous improvement in sustainability initiatives.

Responsibility

Key responsibilities include:

Data, Reporting & Measurement

Develop and maintain monthly and quarterly sustainability dashboards covering energy, waste, water, travel, procurement, and other key metrics.
Work with the Sustainability Lead to design and refine reporting templates, KPIs, and data collection processes.
Input and validate data in the carbon accounting system on a monthly/quarterly basis.
Support the preparation of carbon footprint reports, ESG disclosures, and compliance‑related submissions.
Support with consistent, accurate tracking of sustainability performance across all sites.
Improve the organisation’s scope of social impact data and its collection, to support annual reporting.
Provide cross departmental assistance with data insights and data collection across the Central Support Team.

Research, Benchmarking & Evidence Gathering

Conduct cost-benefit analyses to evaluate sustainable practices.
Research suppliers, materials, technologies, and best practices to inform decision‑making.
Prepare concise insights packs that help the Sustainability Lead make informed decisions.

Innovation & Continuous Improvement

Identify emerging sustainability opportunities and approaches.
Support pilot projects and help evaluate their outcomes.
Contribute ideas that strengthen our long‑term sustainability strategy and operational performance.

Expectations

Essential:

A passionate and driven approach toward driving sustainability within the organisation
Ability to interpret data and communicate insights clearly in written and visual formats
Advanced IT literacy
Curiosity and initiative to learn new tools and systems
Highly organised with good time-management skills and ability to work to multiple deadlines
Strong attention to detail

Desirable

Degree in Sustainability, Environmental Science, Sustainable Development, Environmental Management, or a related discipline
Proven work experience within a similar role
Understanding of core sustainability concepts such as climate change mitigation, carbon footprint, resource efficiency, circular economy, ESG principles and Sustainable Development Goals
Awareness of current sustainability trends, technologies, and best practices
An interest or experience in education or working with children would be beneficial, as it may support with the context of the work

Closing date for applications is Friday 17th April.

Benefits

As a thank you for all of your hard work and dedication to making Acorn a safe, nurturing and fun place for our children to be, we offer:

Payscales that are competitive, transparent and reviewed annually
65% Childcare discount - Pro-Rata according to hours worked
Generous family leave
Christmas closure
25 days of annual leave, plus bank holidays (and the option to buy more)
4 dedicated training days and individual development plans
Enhanced pension scheme
Cyclescheme
Techscheme
Length of Service awards
Pay advances for when times are tough
Employee assistance wellbeing programme

Nursery Name

Acorn at Central Support Office, Castlethorpe

Acorn Early Years Foundation

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Sustainability Data & Insights Officer