Technical Director

Salary: Circa £75,000

The main purpose of this role is to guide leading mining and renewable energy companies, finance institutions and governments in the integration of nature into decision-making and grow our work across these sectors. You will be playing a crucial part in shaping the future of nature sustainability within the mining and renewable energy sectors. The role will involve working across a broad range of sectors from mining and renewable energy to linear infrastructure, ports and agriculture through application of lender safeguards, notably the International Finance Corporations Performance Standard 6 and good international industry practice.

In the position of Technical Director, you will oversee key projects, manage client relationships and provide technical support on project delivery. This might at lines involve more direct project management and delivery, especially of more technically challenging projects. The role will likely involve line management of a small number of senior consultants.

The Biodiversity Consultancy's mission is to integrate nature into business and finance decision-making through science-based approaches. Your work with mining and renewable energy companies, Governments, NGOs and financial institutions will help scale up investments in nature-positive opportunities and develop strategies that redirect financial flows from destructive practices to the protection and restoration of nature.

Responsibilities

Strategy and business development

• Supporting the development and implementation of the TBC Sustainable Infrastructure Strategy and plans.
• Building strategic partnerships with mining and renewable energy sector stakeholders.
• Identifying potential new clients, and developing and maintaining existing and new client relationships, including using your own network.
• Negotiation, networking and relationship building with financial institutions clients and other stakeholders including industry, government, NGOs, academia, and international scientific institutions.

Management and Leadership

• Shared responsibility for operational management within the sector team.
• Management and mentoring of a team of consultants, supporting technical design of projects and providing critical review, performance management, and supporting professional development.
• Support the recruitment and selection of staff and contractors.

Project delivery

• Project management and oversight: technical design and critical review of complex projects and ensuring timely delivery of on-budget projects to the requisite level of quality.
• Technical project work across biodiversity and ecosystem service management including elements such as risk identification, design and implementation of baseline surveys, impact assessment, biodiversity metrics, ecosystem service reviews, application of the mitigation hierarchy including biodiversity offsets.
• Environmental and social due diligence for clients and lenders.

Innovation and communication

• Developing approaches, metrics and tools for assessing and mitigating the biodiversity impacts of complex, large-scale projects in areas of sensitive biodiversity in emerging economies.
• Public speaking on behalf of TBC including writing and delivering presentations and webinars.
• Writing and reviewing material for scientific and business press, our website and publications.

Essential attributes

• At least 15 years' experience in managing ESG risk, with significant experience in the application of IFC PS6 and development of PS6 aligned documentation.
• Experience working in Africa, Latin America or Asia.
• Experience of creating and directing work programmes.
• Good track record of business development and client relationship management.
• Substantial complex project management and project accountability experience.
• Experience of engaging with a diversity of local and international stakeholders, ability to work with diplomacy to understand divergent perspectives on business and conservation.
• Excellent communication skills, including public speaking, workshops and writing.
• Ability to provide intellectual leadership, creativity and simplicity to problem solving.
• Experienced people manager and inspirational leader.
• Willingness and enthusiasm to travel globally and when necessary.
• Honour's degree in a relevant subject.
• Ability to work in a diverse cultural environment.

Desirable attributes

• Background or experience in business and biodiversity and wider nature-related issues, with a focus on emerging economies.
• Experience or in-depth working knowledge of biodiversity finance, such as biodiversity/sustainability
• A postgraduate qualification or a PhD in a relevant discipline.
• Proven ability to work in French, Spanish, or other languages.