Associate

Carter Jonas is seeking a proactive and commercially aware Sustainability Associate to support delivery of the firm’s sustainability agenda. The role focuses on embedding sustainability across internal operations while supporting client-facing activity across the natural and built environment. This role could be based in our York office, Oxford, Leeds, Cambridge, Bristol or London.

Working closely with the Head of Sustainability, the Associate will contribute to governance, coordination and reporting internally, alongside developing sustainability services in response to client needs within an evolving regulatory landscape.

We offer a competitive salary and annual leave, flexible benefits including salary sacrifice, electric car scheme, holiday purchase of up to five extra days, health cash plans, hybrid working and cycle-to-work scheme.

• Support delivery of Carter Jonas’ sustainability strategy across day-to-day operations, processes and decision‑making.
• Coordinate and support internal sustainability groups and forums, including the Net Zero Committee, Social Value Committee and Sustainability Practice Group.
• Contribute to internal communications to strengthen awareness and engagement across the firm.
• Support internal sustainability reporting and disclosures, including carbon accounting and ESG metrics, working with HR, Compliance and Finance to improve data quality and accuracy.
• Horizon scan for relevant regulatory and policy developments affecting the natural and built environment, identifying and escalating key risks and opportunities.

• Deliver client‑facing sustainability work across the natural and built environment, working alongside colleagues in Property Management, Building Consultancy, Planning, Energy, Infrastructure and Natural Capital teams.
• Provide research, analysis and technical input on sustainability‑related commissions, including ESG strategy, carbon footprinting, energy performance and climate risk.
• Contribute to the development of compliance‑driven and performance‑focused sustainability services, such as MEES compliance, operational carbon reporting and asset resilience.
• Support client and contract teams with ESG data analysis, reporting and disclosures, including input to bids and proposals.
• Support land‑based sustainability work (e.g. BNG, natural capital and nature‑related risk), aligned with client needs and workload.
• Evaluate external partners, data platforms and sustainability software to enhance service delivery and technical capability.

What will it take to be successful? You’ll be a proactive and commercially minded sustainability professional, with the ability to balance strategic thinking with hands‑on delivery. A good level of experience within ESG, sustainability consultancy or a related field, ideally including carbon foot‑printing or strategy development. Will consider options from more of a corporate environment or professional services. Strong analytical skills, with confidence working with data, reporting frameworks and evolving regulatory requirements. Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to influence across teams and build trusted relationships. A collaborative mindset, with the ability to work across multiple disciplines and contribute to joint client solutions. A naturally inquisitive approach, keeping up to date with sustainability trends, policy and emerging best practice. Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage a varied workload and respond to changing priorities.

We offer a highly competitive rewards package including group pension, flexible benefits, referral schemes and generous annual leave. As an equal opportunity employer, we are dedicated to driving diversity and inclusion in the workplace.