Sustainability Lead

Location: Milton Keynes

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Salary: Up to GBP35,000 per annum (Subject to experience)

Reporting To: Line Manager

Closing Date: 08/01/2024

IN SHORT

The primary objective of the role is to build upon the college's sustainability strategy and ensure the implementation of its objectives. This will be done by planning, managing, and coordinating sustainability projects and initiatives across the college. The job holder will work closely across all the group services and curriculum areas and, where applicable, appropriate third parties, to develop and support the implementation of MK College's Climate Action Plan (CAP).

The job holder will engage with students, staff, and key external stakeholders to embed a sustainability culture so that the College is recognised as a leader in the FE sector for environmental sustainability.

This role will be required to work across MK College group services areas, including but not limited to Estates & Facilities, MIS & Data, Projects, Finance, Student Development & Support, Marketing & Communications as well as working with the Heads of Schools and closely with students.

This role supports the College's ambitious sustainability targets, whilst also contributing to the 2026 Fairer Futures strategy. The college is committed to achieving Leading status of the Climate Action Roadmap for Further Education by July 2026. The job holder will provide dynamic, visible and effective leadership and direction across the college in respect of sustainability, ensuring that a solutions focused and supportive culture of continuing professional development inspires, enables, empowers and motivates staff to achieve high standards of performance.

MK College will treat all applicants fairly and with respect, irrespective of their background, disability or any other individual characteristic. We particularly encourage applications from people with backgrounds which are currently under-represented within Milton Keynes College. All offers made to successful candidates are subject to satisfactory outcomes to a range of pre-employment checks including a Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS). In addition, security clearance is required for all prison services positions up to Counter Terrorist Check (CTC) level.

OUR BENEFITS

• 30 days annual leave plus 3 additional days leave for Christmas to New Year closure and UK Bank Holidays (entitlement will be pro-rated for part-time employees)

• Generous Pension Scheme

• Professional development opportunities, including professional qualifications

• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) accessible 24 hours per day, 365 days per year

• A variety of amazing discounts with NUS Card

• Employee wellbeing platform with options to book free activities

MAKE A DIFFERENCE

In this role, you will:

• Develop and lead the college's sustainability strategy, ensuring its alignment with the Department for Education's Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy and developing and embedding sustainability into college culture.

• Review and update the college's sustainability policy annually and to ensure the college complies with relevant legal duties and reporting (e.g. carbon reporting) in relation to sustainability.

• Where appropriate help identify and secure external funding opportunities to enable the college to accelerate the implementation of the CAP.

• Facilitate the writing of reports to governors and other stakeholders on the college's progress towards the delivery of its CAP.

• Represent the college at external events as appropriate and to work within a growing sustainability network across colleges.

• Help lead training to upskill staff on embedding carbon literacy within their teaching.

• Work with colleagues to raise the College's profile in Milton Keynes in respect of how it is contributing to the City's Net Zero Carbon ambitions. An element of this will support developing and rolling out the Carbon Literacy Programme internally and externally.

• Chair the college's Sustainability Committee and liaise with the Student Sustainability Champions.

• Support will be provided to the successful applicant in relation to having an external mentor, accessing regional and national networks, access to internal specialists, access to applicable third-party organisations, EAUC for example, as well as the option to further upskill individual qualifications, IEMA for example.

• To support the completion of streamlined energy and carbon reporting returns on behalf of the college.

• Practice both internally and externally the philosophy and values of the College and take responsibility for promoting equality and diversity.

• Always carry out duties in accordance with the College's equal opportunities, health and safety and risk management policies and procedures.

• Be aware and fully committed to Milton Keynes College Group's Regulations, Strategy and Objectives to work together to advance Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and support the challenging of racism, prejudice, and inequality, wherever it is found.

This job description is just a guide; you'll be expected to be flexible and perform any other duties as reasonably required of you by your manager and your role is likely to evolve and develop over time. In all your duties, you will be required to take reasonable care of yourself and ensure the safety of our students, your colleagues, and other people with whom you come into contact at the College.

IT'S ALL ABOUT YOU

KNOWLEDGE, EXPERTISE & QUALIFICATIONS

• Detailed knowledge of the Department for Education's Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy and the Climate Action Roadmap for Further Education.

• Proven experience in the delivery of climate change and/or environmental sustainability projects.

• Knowledge of environmental & sustainability legislation and regulatory requirements & compliance.

• Good working knowledge of Microsoft products.

• It is desirable that the successful candidate will be educated to degree level in Environmental Management of Environmental Science or equivalent relevant industry experience.

IMPACT

• Experience of effective cross-organisational working at all levels.

• Maintains awareness of relevant legislation and updates.

• Writing reports and presenting to colleagues.

QUALITY

• Excellent communication and presentation skills.

• Have good attention to detail.

• A positive, driven and determined individual with excellent relationship skills

RESPONSIBILITY

• An unwavering passion for sustainability; committed, enthusiastic and looking to innovate in this field.

• Excellent organisational and administrative skills with the ability to prioritise own workload and to meet deadlines.

• Be able to contribute, participate and share in the responsibility for the creation and implementation of the Climate Action Plan.

RELATIONSHIPS & REPUTATION

• Strong team player with excellent, proven influencing skills.

• Good communication skills both written and verbal.

• Commitment to students and student's success.

• Able to motivate self and others.

VISION & DIRECTION

• Passion for innovative, aspirational implementation to drive improved sustainability outcomes.

• Ability to plan, communicate and problem solve effectively.

• Strong interest in and understanding of Education policy relevant to Further Education.

ABOUT US

Welcoming those who want to learn and improve, we focus on meeting individual needs. The College is at the heart of the city's economic vision and community strategy, in addition to being a major employer with over 1,000 people working with us. We build and nurture strong partnerships with the wider community and local businesses with an interest in making the Milton Keynes College Group a safe, innovative, and inspiring place in which to learn and work. We are proud to offer an open and inclusive educational experience to learners of all levels and backgrounds, with over 3,-19 year olds currently studying with us and a total student population of over 8,000. We offer a broad variety of qualifications, including vocational courses, apprenticeships, higher education, professional certificates as well as employability skills and community training.

Founded on the principle of Further Education's ability to transform lives through learning, we're proud to create an environment that attracts the best staff and students from Milton Keynes and the surrounding areas and supports education in Prisons nationally. The value we gain from the diverse communities we serve is immeasurable. We want all our staff, students and learners to feel they are an integral part of the College and together we will create an inclusive culture where everyone can contribute to college life and our collective knowledge and growth. When applying for a role at the College, you can expect the same level of commitment towards diversity and inclusion as you'll experience when you've started with us. We treat all our applicants fairly and with respect, irrespective of their background, disability, or any other individual characteristic. We particularly encourage applications from people with backgrounds which are currently under-represented within Milton Keynes College.

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