Sustainability Data & Insights Officer

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 (originally Acorn Childcare) began as a single nursery in 1989 in the village of Castlethorpe in Milton Keynes, where the organisation is still led by the founder and Chief Executive, Zoë Raven.  Driven by a desire to create a nursery which combined professionalism with a personal touch, Zoe and her family lived above the original nursery for ten years, and the organisation grew slowly and organically, first in old Victorian buildings, then on school sites, and then including purpose-built buildings. Now, over 35 years later, there are 18 nurseries across three counties, several out-of-school clubs, extensive forest school provision, a catering service and a training centre.

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

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