Sustainability Consultant in Edinburgh

Sustainability Consultant in Edinburgh

Edinburgh Full-Time 35000 - 45000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
AECOM

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Deliver climate risk assessments and develop sustainability strategies for diverse clients.
  • Company: AECOM is a leading global infrastructure consulting firm with over 50,000 professionals.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible hybrid working options and access to industry-leading technology.
  • Other info: Opportunities available in Basingstoke, Bristol, Edinburgh, London, and Nottingham.
  • Why this job: Join a team of over 50 carbon and ESG specialists on high-profile climate projects.
  • Qualifications: Degree in Environmental, Engineering, or Science; experience in climate risk and resilience.

The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.

At AECOM, we're delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world’s most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations.

We are seeing a rapid increase in demand for the provision of climate change resilience and sustainability services. Recent project wins on high profile, strategic projects with DSNEZ and Scottish Water along with a range of projects across the transport, energy, defence, water and other sectors in the built environment are providing us the opportunity to increase our team.

We’re looking for a Sustainability Consultant to support the growth of our infrastructure decarbonisation and sustainability advisory services within the Environment and Energy Business Unit with opportunities to be based across our offices - Basingstoke, Bristol, Edinburgh, London and Nottingham - while also benefiting from our flexible hybrid working model.

As a Sustainability Consultant, you will be part of our wider team helping to deliver key projects. Your primary role will be technical delivery of Climate Risk and Resilience assessment projects as well as a range of other sustainability focussed work including carbon and waste assessment and sustainability strategy development. You will also be responsible for supporting business development tasks and proposal preparation.

Here’s what you’ll do:

  • Deliver climate risk, vulnerability and resilience assessments for infrastructure, energy, utilities and major development projects, aligned with relevant policy and guidance.
  • Apply your technical understanding of current and emerging climate risks (acute and chronic physical risks), including the use of climate projections to inform decision-making.
  • Undertake qualitative and quantitative climate risk assessments, including risk scoring, prioritisation, vulnerability assessments and impact assessments.
  • Develop sustainability strategies for a diverse range of clients and sectors.
  • Contribute to greenhouse gas (GHG) assessments in line with industry best practice.
  • Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including engineering, planning, environmental and sustainability specialists.
  • Support the interpretation and application of international and national policy, regulatory requirements and funding drivers related to climate resilience and adaptation.
  • Take ownership of workstreams, providing technical guidance to junior team members and exercising sound professional judgement.

You will be part of a team of over 50 carbon and ESG specialists, delivering advisory and implementation services on a diverse portfolio of high-profile climate projects. The team partners with major transportation infrastructure operators, energy network providers, renewable energy developers, and water companies to deliver low-carbon, sustainable solutions. You will also contribute to the growth and development of both the team and its service offering.

Here’s what we’re looking for:

Education & Technical Foundations

  • Environmental, Engineering, or Science degree.
  • Working towards (or willing to work towards) chartership with a relevant professional body, with a commitment to continuing professional development.
  • Awareness of transition climate risks and their interaction with physical risks.
  • Familiarity with climate-related disclosure and regulatory requirements (e.g., TCFD or adaptation reporting).

Climate Risk & Resilience Expertise

  • Experience in one or more areas such as infrastructure resilience, adaptation of transport infrastructure, energy systems and built environment, nature-based solutions, or place-based/system-based adaptation approaches.
  • Experience using data, geospatial, or digital tools (e.g., GIS, Excel, or similar) to support climate risk analysis.
  • Experience working across multiple sectors or geographies, with the ability to adapt approaches to different client contexts.

Project Leadership & Delivery

  • Proven ability to lead defined workstreams or small to mid-sized Climate Risk & Resilience (CCR) and sustainability projects, working with minimal supervision and coordinating junior team members.
  • Experience working in complex stakeholder or regulatory environments (e.g., public sector, infrastructure owners, regulators).
  • Proactive approach to improving methodologies, project efficiency, or service offerings.

Stakeholder Engagement & Client Management

  • Experience engaging directly with clients and stakeholders, including during workshops or climate resilience/sustainability-focused discussions.
  • Ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders across sectors and regulatory contexts.

Business Development & Knowledge Sharing

  • Experience contributing to proposals and supporting business development activities.
  • Contribution to internal knowledge development, such as tools, guidance, or thought leadership related to climate risk and resilience.
  • Proactive contribution to the development of new methodologies, tools, and service offerings.

Interested in the role or curious about life at AECOM? Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to explore our AECOM voices, employee stories, latest projects, and much more!

At AECOM, we are committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and take any fraudulent hiring activity seriously. To support this commitment, all newly hired employees are required to attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment.

AECOM is the world’s trusted infrastructure consulting firm, delivering professional services throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. On projects spanning transportation, buildings, water, new energy and the environment, our public- and private-sector clients trust us to solve their most complex challenges.

AECOM provides a wide array of compensation, benefits and well-being programs to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their families. We’re the world’s trusted global infrastructure firm, and we’re in this together – your growth and success are ours too.

Sustainability Consultant in Edinburgh employer: AECOM

AECOM is committed to delivering sustainable legacies through innovative solutions in infrastructure. With a revenue of $16.1 billion, they offer extensive benefits including hybrid work options. The team focuses on impactful projects across various sectors, fostering a culture of equity and inclusion.

AECOM

Contact Details:

AECOM Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Sustainability Consultant in Edinburgh

Dive into Environmental Networks

Get involved with sustainability-focused organisations and attend their events. Look for local meetups or conferences in environmental management where you can connect with professionals in the field. This can lead to insider info on job openings at companies like AECOM that might not be advertised widely.

Show Your Passion with Projects

Consider undertaking personal or community projects that highlight your dedication to sustainability. Whether it's a local clean-up or a carbon footprint assessment, document your findings and results. This not only boosts your portfolio but also shows potential employers like AECOM that you're proactive and serious about the field.

Seek Out Green Job Boards

Don’t just rely on general job boards. Explore specific platforms that focus on sustainability and environmental management roles. Websites like EnvironmentJobs and Sustainable Business can be goldmines for full-time positions at companies like AECOM. Keep an eye out for their aggregation of listings!

Let Your Online Presence Shine

Make sure your social media and professional profiles reflect your passion for sustainability. Share articles, engage in discussions, and connect with leaders in the field. Your active presence can make a lasting impression on hiring managers at companies like AECOM when they search for candidates.

We think you need these skills to ace Sustainability Consultant in Edinburgh

Climate Risk Assessment
Sustainability Strategy Development
Carbon Assessment
Vulnerability Assessment
Data Analysis
Geospatial Tools (e.g., GIS)
Stakeholder Engagement

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Passion for Sustainability:In your cover letter, let your enthusiasm for sustainability shine through. Share any relevant experiences, like projects, volunteer work, or events you've participated in that align with AECOM's values. This position isn't just about meeting qualifications; it's about genuinely caring for the environment and showing us why you're the right fit for Sustainability Consultant.

Highlight Relevant Qualifications and Experience:Make sure to showcase any specific qualifications, such as degrees in environmental science or certifications in sustainability practices in your CV. We want to see how your academic background and practical experiences align with the job you're applying for, so don’t hold back on anything that demonstrates your expertise in environmental management.

Tailor Your CV to the Role:As we're looking for someone to jump into a full-time role, be specific about previous roles or projects that demonstrate your capabilities in sustainability. Use bullet points to make accomplishments clear, and don’t forget to quantify your achievements wherever possible – it’s all about showing us the impact of your work!

Research AECOM and Reflect It In Your Application:We love candidates who take the time to understand what we're about. Mention specific initiatives or projects that AECOM is known for in your cover letter. This shows us that you’ve done your homework and are genuinely excited about the chance to contribute to our mission in the role of Sustainability Consultant.

How to prepare for a job interview at AECOM

Brush Up on Environmental Legislation

Given that we're diving into sustainability and environmental management, it’s crucial to have a solid understanding of current environmental laws and regulations. Be prepared to discuss how these laws apply to real-world scenarios, as you might face some technical questions about compliance and best practices during your chat with AECOM.

Showcase Your Experience with Sustainability Projects

When you're discussing your background, highlight specific sustainability initiatives you've been involved in. Whether it’s a project at university or work experience, sharing measurable outcomes and your role will demonstrate your hands-on skills, which is super important for this full-time role at AECOM.

Familiarity with Tools and Software

Make sure you're familiar with any relevant tools or software commonly used in environmental management, like GIS for mapping or data analysis tools. Bring this up in your interview as it shows you’re not only passionate but also prepared to roll up your sleeves and get to work!

Connect Your Values with the Company's Mission

Full-time roles are all about team fit, so it’s important to align your personal values with those of AECOM. Be ready to discuss why you're passionate about sustainability and how you can contribute to their mission, as this will really resonate with the interviewers and show that you’re genuinely invested in their goals.