Associate Director / Principal Consultant in London

Acre is proudly supporting in the search for an ambitious and fast-growing sustainability advisory business, backed by innovative technology and a strong international client base. The client is seeking an experienced sustainability consultant to join their advisory team at Principal Consultant or Associate Director level. This is an opportunity to lead complex consulting engagements, build trusted client relationships and help shape the future direction of a growing advisory practice.

You will:

• Lead complex sustainability consulting engagements from strategy through delivery, advising senior clients on sustainability strategy, ESG, reporting and regulatory requirements, while facilitating executive workshops and translating technical complexity into practical business solutions.
• Manage client relationships and project delivery, leading proposals, bids and presentations, growing existing accounts and new business opportunities, and overseeing project teams, budgets, quality assurance, and strategic reports and disclosures.
• Develop consulting capability by enhancing methodologies and service offerings, collaborating with technology teams to strengthen advisory solutions, and coaching and mentoring junior consultants.

In addition to the above, you will:

• Lead a portfolio of strategic client accounts, driving long-term relationships, commercial growth, and major business development opportunities.
• Lead major proposals and strategic pursuits, shaping the future direction of the advisory practice and delivering high-value client outcomes.
• Build and lead high-performing consulting teams while representing the business externally through thought leadership and industry engagement.

Technical Experience

We are interested in candidates with experience across several of the following areas:

• ESG and sustainability strategy, including double materiality assessments, climate strategy and transition planning.
• Sustainability governance, data and reporting, including KPIs, corporate sustainability reporting, and regulatory readiness and compliance.
• Responsible sourcing, supply chain sustainability, and sustainability risk and opportunity management.

Experience with one or more of the following frameworks is desirable:

• CSRD, ISSB (IFRS S1 & S2), GRI, GHG Protocol, EU Taxonomy, SFDR, UK climate-related reporting requirements, and BRSR.

Depth of expertise in key areas is valued more highly than broad exposure across every framework.

You'll bring:

• Significant experience in sustainability consulting, professional services, responsible investment or senior in-house sustainability roles, with a track record of leading complex client projects.
• Strong commercial awareness, including managing project scope and budgets, and translating technical sustainability issues into practical business advice.
• Excellent communication, presentation, facilitation, and report-writing skills, with experience producing high-quality proposals and strategic recommendations.
• Experience mentoring colleagues and an entrepreneurial mindset with a passion for growing a successful advisory business.

Why Apply?

This is a rare opportunity to join a well-backed, high-growth consultancy at an exciting stage of its development. You’ll work on strategically important assignments for leading organisations, influence the evolution of consulting services, and help shape innovative solutions that combine sustainability expertise with advanced technology. The organisation offers a collaborative culture, flexible hybrid working, genuine opportunities for progression, and the chance to make a significant impact as the business continues to grow.