Associate Director/Technical Director – Climate Change & Sustainability
Location: London/Bristol/Brighton/Leeds/Warrington

A leading independent environmental consultancy, with a 30-year track record and a growing team of specialists across environmental policy, strategy, design and assessment, is seeking an experienced Associate Director or Technical Director to join its climate change team. The role can be based from any of the firm's Bristol, Brighton, Leeds, London or Warrington offices, with hybrid working available.

The consultancy has built a strong reputation over three decades, securing a high volume of repeat business and recognition as a top player in UK environmental and sustainability consulting. The firm prides itself on employing top talent, delivering a personal service, producing high-quality technical work that protects and improves the environment, and designing innovative, cross-disciplinary solutions. The business has contributed to UK Government and European Commission working groups and provided expert evidence at Public Inquiries.

The role

This is a leadership opportunity within a growing carbon and climate change team, working across renewable energy, transport, infrastructure, and residential and commercial property. The team supports developers, designers, engineers and planners in minimising greenhouse gas emissions, advancing Net Zero, and building climate resilience.

A significant part of the work involves preparing greenhouse gas and climate change risk and resilience assessments as part of Environmental Impact Assessments, including major Development Consent Order schemes, so experience leading this type of work will be central to the role. Alongside this, the team is expanding its broader climate and sustainability advisory services, including:

• Net Zero carbon roadmaps and decarbonisation strategies
• Corporate greenhouse gas inventories and carbon management plans
• Climate-related risk and opportunity assessments
• Climate adaptation and resilience planning
• Sustainability and ESG strategies
• Whole life carbon and embodied carbon assessments
• Circular economy assessments
• Carbon reduction pathways and implementation plans
• Technical interpretation of climate policy and emerging regulation

The successful candidate will lead a portfolio of ongoing projects in a client-facing capacity, managing project teams and delivery, and contributing to new business proposals. Depending on experience, the role may also involve business development, developing new service areas, building tools and templates, collaborating with the firm's policy and economics specialists, and training and managing staff.

What they're looking for:

• Strong understanding of UK climate change and planning legislation and policy
• Experience managing or leading GHG and climate change assessments within EIA (DCO experience valued but not essential)
• Experience drafting Environmental Statement chapters and technical reports
• Track record leading climate risk, adaptation and resilience studies
• Experience supporting corporate Net Zero, decarbonisation and sustainability strategy development
• Strong consultancy sector background
• Ability to identify and develop new service opportunities
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Experience engaging a wide range of stakeholder groups
• Financial control and project management experience
• Line management or oversight of junior team members
• Experience with bid preparation and business development
• Strong technical capability, with the ability to review and interpret data
• A collaborative working style and a track record in thought leadership or strategic advice

This is an exceptional opportunity to join a friendly, supportive and collaborative team at a pivotal time for the business.

If you are interested in this position, please contact Callum at Aztrum via callum.jones@aztrum.com