Sustainability Lead (Hiring Immediately)

We ensure you're rewarded for all your hard work, which is why we offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes but is not limited to:

• Contributory pension scheme
• Grow your career with our Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes
• Quick access for you and your immediate family to a Digital GP, and wider healthcare benefits
• Exclusive travel discounts with TUI, Expedia, Booking.com and many more
• Save money on your food shop with discounts on Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons and many more
• Up to 44% off cinema tickets to enjoy your favourite blockbuster
• Receive cash rewards every time you spend and use them on a wide range of brands
• Unwind with us with free wellness, mindfulness and exercise classes
• You can share all discounts and offers with your friends and families

The climate emergency is the biggest challenge of our lifetime and food has a key role to play in global emissions. Our target is to reach Climate Net Zero emissions by 2030 in the right way, whilst remaining dedicated to helping people live healthier, happier and more productive lives. We’re looking for an enthusiastic individual whose vision matches our passion for food and service with our care for the planet, to support us in driving our sustainability commitments across the education sector.

What you’ll be doing:

• Working closely with the Sustainability Manager and Director of Sustainability, you will support the delivery of our strategy and the operational translation of our commitments within our education sector.
• Support the Chartwells Sustainability Team to implement, evaluate and report on our progress against these commitments.
• Work with individual sites across sub sectors including primary schools, secondary schools, independent schools, colleges and universities to ensure our approach remains fit for purpose and market leading.
• Engage with key stakeholders and translate complex information into simple messages for our different customers.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support delivery of our sustainability strategy
• Help manage, monitor and review our progress and performance against strategy commitments
• Visit sites on a weekly basis to train, engage and support our colleagues
• Effectively communicate all policies and practices through training and education programmes
• Support client conversations as required to align our strategic commitments to their own actions and ambitions
• Support food waste management across our business
• Review packaging solutions and reusable initiatives on site
• Carbon footprint analysis and monitoring of our menus
• Translate complex science and information into simple facts and figures
• Educate pupils and students across the education sector on the topic of sustainability
• Continuous learning in a rapidly changing landscape with the ability to adapt to new priorities as required
• Build relationships with existing contracts/clients and support retention presentations
• Work in partnership with other members of the Compass UK sustainability team to share knowledge and best practice
• Track trends and developments to ensure we stay ahead of the curve

Person Specification:

• Educated to degree level or equivalent in Environment or Sustainability related course (Certified IEMA Practitioner preferred)
• Minimum 2 years’ experience working in an environmental/sustainability role (desirable)
• Experience working in the foodservice industry would be welcomed
• Confident in communicating to large groups of people and controlling challenging meetings/conversations
• Must be willing to travel and stay away from home occasionally
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Demonstrates Compass values and recognition principles
• Ability to quickly gain credibility with key stakeholder groups
• Professional, organised, efficient and self-motivated
• A passion for keeping up to date with research and national events
• Excellent presentation skills
• Ability to manage a busy diary independently

About Us:

Part of Compass Group UK&I, Chartwells is the leading provider of catering and support services to the education sector. For over a quarter of a century, Chartwells has been focusing on helping those in education to build strong bodies, sharp minds and lead long healthy lives. Every week, Chartwells serves millions of nutritious and delicious meals to pupils and students in primary and secondary schools, academies, independent schools, colleges, and universities across the UK. Chartwells is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expect all employees to share this commitment. Any offer of employment will be subject to successfully completing pre-employment checks, including an enhanced DBS disclosure and a Children's Barred List check. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and we ask applicants to declare all previous convictions and cautions in order to assess their suitability to work with children.

Compass Group UK&I is committed to fostering an environment where every individual can truly be themselves at work and has equal opportunities to advance in their careers. We strive to build a culture that respects and celebrates the unique talents, beliefs, backgrounds, and abilities of all our team members. We want our colleagues to feel valued, empowered to reach their full potential, and to thrive - because diversity is our strength!