Principal Sustainability Consultant

Job Description

As a Principal Sustainability Consultant, you will collaborate with a diverse team of technical specialists and business consultants to manage environmental contributions across solution design and delivery. You will be instrumental in improving the environmental performance for a range of customer projects in sectors including manufacturing, utilities, transport, retail and hospitality, and exploring the role of technology to enable decision making and drive solutions to our customer's sustainability challenges. 

Responsibilities are varied and will likely include:

• Deliver successful consulting engagements, with a priority focus on environmental impacts and decarbonisation. Acting, and taking decisions, with little management oversight. 
• Support the strategy, growth and delivery of our carbon services, including Carbon Footprints, Life Cycle Assessments, Net Zero Pathways, Risk and Resilience Frameworks and related reporting.
• Deliver greenhouse gas assessments, including life-cycle assessments and risk analysis, of technology solutions. 
• Develop and implement environmental management strategies and systems to continually improve the impact of client solutions on the environment, including recommending resource and waste management strategies.
• Build, develop and sustain trusted senior client relationships by remaining highly attuned to client needs and styles.
• Undertake activities to secure new work, including preparing proposals, contributing to strategic-bid preparation, and participating in business development opportunities.
• Develop and manage within multidisciplinary consulting teams, leading by example, actively mentoring and upskilling junior colleagues to support their career development.
• Prioritise diversity and inclusion across teams and champion change that brings value to the business.

Technical skills

 

• In-depth understanding of the GHG Protocol and lifecycle assessment, especially as applied to technology infrastructure. 
• Working knowledge of Net Zero Transition Planning, SBT methodology, climate-related risk and scenario analysis.
• Strong capability in evaluating the cost-effectiveness, feasibility, and performance of technological strategies to reduce Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions, and/or manage physical climate risks (e.g. heat, flood, wildfire, storm). 
• Familiarity with climate-related disclosures, carbon accountancy, regulatory and voluntary sustainability frameworks (GRI, CSRD, IFRS, TNFD).
• Project delivery experience with proven ability to assess and integrate decarbonisation and resilience solutions at the asset or system level can also be considered.
• Advanced MS excel skills. Data analysis skills using other systems (e.g. Python and PowerBI) are preferable not essential. 
• An appreciation of how technology can contribute to solving clients' sophisticated business problems; comfort operating as the bridge between business and technology.
• Excellent knowledge of UK environmental legislation and sustainability frameworks.
• Cross-sector experience is valuable, but we are open to exploring candidates with specific sector experience. 

Consulting Skills

 

• Excellent consulting and problem-solving skills. Familiarity with recognised consulting frameworks and techniques; experience of research, quantitative analysis, structured problem solving and executive communication techniques.
• Proven presentation skills, personal impact, and charisma to lead large-scale, senior meetings, presentations and workshops supported by first class written and verbal communication skills; the ability to articulate sophisticated problems and solutions in a simple, logical, and impactful manner.
• Team management – able to lead small (2-4 people) teams to deliver complex and strategically important assignments. This includes day-to-day activity management, project team wellbeing, and management of risks and issues on the assignment.
• Future trends – an appreciation for new, and emerging sector capabilities and trends affecting the net zero transition. Able to form views and discuss wider topics with our clients.
• Client-facing, opportunistic and comfortable with developing new work, supporting the development of compelling propositions and integrating with sector teams. 
• Ability to comfortably multi-task and engage on different projects and activities concurrently in challenging and often ambiguous circumstances.

Essential Skills 

 

• An advanced degree in engineering, environmental sciences or sustainability, or in a closely related technical discipline with a clear focus on decarbonisation technologies or climate adaptation.
• 9 to 11 years consulting experience whether this is from a big consulting firm, boutique consultancy or experience gained in delivering sustainability services. 
• A passion for building and nurturing strong relationships, both with clients and colleagues. A great team member in multi-discipline teams.
• Self-motivation and ability to manage their own workload effectively. 
• Creative and open minded, enjoying learning and trying new ways of doing things.