Principal Consultant - ESG & EDD

Principal Consultant - ESG & EDD

Climate17 are working with a growing consultancy and are seeking an experienced Principal Consultant to lead and deliver high-quality strategic and technical ESG advisory services. This is a senior role with responsibility for project delivery, client leadership, business development, and mentoring consultants, while helping shape the direction and growth of the ESG practice.

Key responsibilities Project leadership & delivery

• Lead and manage complex, large-scale ESG projects, ensuring delivery on time, within scope and to a high standard.
• Oversee project planning and scoping, including defining objectives, resources, timelines and budgets.
• Manage multi-disciplinary project teams and coordinate resources effectively.
• Contribute to the delivery of international projects across a range of sectors, including work supporting project finance and lending requirements.
• Maintain strong commercial discipline to ensure projects deliver against agreed business objectives.
• Act as a key point of contact for clients, managing senior stakeholder relationships and expectations.

Technical advisory & ESG expertise

• Provide high-quality, pragmatic ESG advice and technical solutions.
• Support clients in developing ESG reports, management systems, disclosures, strategies and other ESG deliverables.
• Align ESG considerations with client business objectives and industry best practice.
• Stay informed on emerging ESG trends, frameworks and regulatory developments.

Data analysis & research

• Set clear research objectives and requirements for project teams.
• Review and interpret complex data, metrics and trends to provide actionable insights and recommendations.

Reporting & presentations

• Lead and contribute to the preparation of high-quality technical reports and client deliverables.
• Review work to ensure accuracy, clarity, consistency and adherence to quality standards.
• Prepare and deliver client presentations that clearly communicate findings, insights and recommendations.

Business development

• Identify and pursue new business opportunities and support growth initiatives.
• Contribute to proposal development, tenders and pitch presentations.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships.
• Support the development of service line plans and wider growth strategies.

Stakeholder engagement

• Develop and implement stakeholder engagement strategies.
• Support effective management of senior internal and external stakeholders.

Team leadership & mentoring

• Provide guidance, mentorship and technical leadership to junior consultants.
• Support team development and foster a collaborative, high-performing culture.
• Line management responsibilities where applicable.

Strategy & innovation

• Provide strategic guidance to clients on ESG strategy development and implementation.
• Support internal strategy by connecting project delivery to broader organisational goals.
• Drive innovation through the development of new tools, methodologies and approaches.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Sustainability, Geography, Economics or a related discipline.
• 7 years' experience in ESG, sustainability or related fields, including consulting and/or in-house experience.
• Strong knowledge of ESG frameworks, reporting standards and methodologies.
• Proven experience leading and delivering complex programmes and projects.
• Demonstrated ability to engage, influence and advise senior stakeholders.
• Strong commercial awareness and business development experience.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving and strategic thinking skills.
• Proven leadership experience, including managing teams and mentoring junior staff.
• Ability to work collaboratively within multi-disciplinary teams and with.