Sustainability Reporting Lead

The Vacancy

As a key member of the Sustainability leadership team, this role is responsible for improving environmental and social value data collection, analysis, assurance, and reporting across the Group. You will ensure accurate, timely reporting to meet both internal needs and external legal and best practice reporting requirements. This role also supports senior leaders by analysing trends, enabling informed decision-making aligned with our purpose, and delivering best-practice external reporting for the Group.

Main Accountabilities

Data Process Design and Implementation

• Develop and maintain processes for sustainability data to support decision-making at Group and business unit levels.
• Ensure robust assurance mechanisms are in place or enhanced to verify the accuracy of submitted data.
• Provide quarterly compliance updates to the Group Sustainability Director.

Environmental Reporting

• Process environmental data in accordance with the GHG Protocol, SECR, and Statutory Biodiversity Metric to support ESOS, CSDR, and related reporting.
• Assist the Environmental Sustainability Director with TCFD, TNFD, and prepare for ISSB reporting by undergoing relevant training and updates.

Social Value Reporting

• Process social value data in line with National TOMS, evolving best practices, and the Group strategy.
• Collaborate with the Sustainability Leadership Team to demonstrate and evidence contributions to societal value effectively.

Strategic Insights and Analysis

• Provide analysis and actionable insights from data trends, identifying commercial risks and opportunities to inform decision-making at senior levels.
• Collaborate on programme design to optimize sustainability performance.

Internal and External Communication Support

• Work with business units and communications teams to ensure accurate and legal use of sustainability data in internal and external communications.

Communicating and Influencing

A skilled communicator and confident data handler, this individual will engage with stakeholders across the business to:

• Drive improvements in data collection and utilization.
• Contextualize data-driven insights within the commercial landscape, highlighting risks and opportunities for the Group.
• Support the Finance team in creating accurate, impactful reports and collaborate with leadership during Quarterly Performance Reviews to illustrate trends and initiatives.

Specific SHEQ Accountabilities

• Support key Group-wide initiatives across Health, Safety, and Well-being (HSW), Quality, and Sustainability.

Required Knowledge, Qualifications, and Skills

Knowledge

• Deep understanding of GHG Protocol for all three scopes, SECR reporting, and the Statutory Biodiversity Metric.
• Familiarity with CSDR, the UK Net Zero Carbon Building Standard, and emerging regulatory and voluntary frameworks.
• Advanced proficiency with data tools such as SmartWaste, Excel, and Power BI.

Qualifications

• An undergraduate degree, ideally in a quantitative field (e.g., data science, environmental science, or engineering).

Skills and Behaviours

• Exceptional analytical skills with an ability to synthesize complex data into clear insights.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building abilities across diverse teams.
• Effective communicator with expertise in translating data into impactful stories for varied audiences.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and adept at managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• A Proactive learner who stays ahead of trends in sustainability reporting and data management.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Competitive salary & bonus
• Flexible working
• Travel covered to any of our sites (subject to HMRC advisory rates)
• Extensive corporate benefits including, Private Medical, Pension 8% employers’ contribution, Health and Wellness programme, 26 days holidays + bank holidays and much more…
• Excellent range of learning and development activity to support your career progression.
• Industry leading family leave benefits to included 26 weeks fully paid maternity, 8 weeks fully paid paternity.

To find out more about LIFE AT WATES please click on the following link https://www.wates.co.uk/careers/

Work for Wates

Wates is one of the UK’s leading family-owned development, building and property maintenance companies.  Founded over 125 years ago, we have a proud legacy in the built environment.

We are driven by our purpose, ‘reimagining places for people to thrive’ and our three promises:

• Thriving places – working with customers, partners and communities to create places that are more sustainable, inclusive, and full of opportunity.
• Thriving planet – protecting nature and taking action on climate change by collaborating and innovating with our partners.
• Thriving people – creating opportunities and relationships so that everyone who works for and with us feels included, invested in and treated with care.

We are proud to be recognised as Gold Investors in People and as a Disability Confident employer.  We also ensure that our recruitment processes do not treat anyone less favourably due to an offending background.