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- Tasks: Lead environmental assessments for major international projects and manage client relationships.
- Company: Join a leading environmental advisory firm making a global impact.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, flexible working, and a £1,000 training budget.
- Why this job: Shape responsible capital deployment and improve community outcomes on complex projects.
- Qualifications: Experience in lender-facing ESIA/ESDD and strong knowledge of international standards.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth with mentoring and diverse project exposure.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
We are supporting an established international environmental and sustainability advisory firm to appoint senior hires (Director and Principal level) into its Project Finance practice. These roles focus on lender-, investor- and developer-led mandates, leading ESIA / ESDD and related due diligence that directly supports financing and investment decisions on complex international projects. This is not a general ESG strategy or reporting role, and not a UK planning/ecology-led EIA position. The core requirement is lender-facing, transaction-linked ESIA/ESDD delivery.
Why this matters
You will help shape how capital is deployed responsibly by identifying and managing environmental and social risks, improving outcomes for communities and ecosystems, and ensuring projects meet lender requirements and international standards in real-world conditions.
Core Responsibilities (Principal and Director)
- Lead delivery of ESIA / ESDD within live Project Finance / transaction contexts
- Operate as senior interface with commercial banks, DFIs, investors, funds and developers
- Apply lender frameworks and standards in practice (e.g., IFC Performance Standards, Equator Principles)
- Manage scope, budgets, timelines and quality across complex international mandates
- Mentor teams and support consistent delivery standards
- Contribute to scoping, proposals and technical leadership for new mandates
Additional Accountabilities (Director level)
- Ownership of key client relationships and senior stakeholder management
- Oversight across multiple mandates and teams; accountability for delivery performance
- Contribution to growth of the Project Finance offering (pipeline, partnerships, team build)
Essential Experience (non-negotiable)
- You have led lender-facing ESIA / ESDD in Project Finance or investor/lender-led environments (not only supported)
- Direct experience advising or working with lenders, investors and/or developers on transaction-linked mandates
- Meaningful international delivery experience (outside UK domestic planning context)
- Strong applied knowledge of IFC PS / Equator Principles (and ability to evidence where/how used)
- Senior client-facing credibility and calm judgement under transaction pressure
- Commercial awareness: scoping, budgets, margins, delivery planning
Unlikely to be a fit if your background is mainly UK planning EIA without project finance exposure, ecology-led roles where lender accountability is limited, or ESG reporting/policy/framework roles without transaction-linked ESIA/ESDD delivery.
Benefits (highlights)
- 25 days holiday + bank holidays + 3 days Christmas shutdown
- Discretionary bonus and spot bonuses
- Flexible working, including working from abroad and flexible Fridays
- Medical cash plan, £1,000 annual training budget, professional membership support
- Volunteering day, enhanced leave, sabbatical after 4+ years, time-out allowance
How to apply
If this role aligns with your experience and interests, please submit your CV or LinkedIn profile to Kris Kobi, Director at Climate17, at kris@climate17.com. All enquiries and applications will be handled confidentially. The client name and further details will be shared at conversation stage.
Director / Principal – Project Finance ESIA & ESDD (International) in Birkenhead employer: Climate17
Contact Detail:
Climate17 Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Director / Principal – Project Finance ESIA & ESDD (International) in Birkenhead
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend events, webinars, or even casual meet-ups. The more you engage with potential employers and peers, the better your chances of landing that dream role.
✨Showcase Your Expertise
When you get the chance to chat with hiring managers or during interviews, don’t hold back! Share your experiences and how you've tackled ESIA/ESDD challenges in past projects. This is your time to shine and show them why you're the perfect fit.
✨Tailor Your Approach
Every interaction counts, so make sure to tailor your conversations to the specific role and company. Highlight your lender-facing experience and how it aligns with their needs. This shows you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Director / Principal – Project Finance ESIA & ESDD (International) in Birkenhead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the specific skills and experiences that align with the Project Finance ESIA & ESDD role. Highlight your lender-facing experience and any relevant international projects you've worked on.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell your story! Explain why you're passionate about environmental and social governance, and how your background makes you the perfect fit for this role. Don’t forget to mention your familiarity with IFC Performance Standards and Equator Principles.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this is a senior role, emphasise your experience in mentoring teams and managing client relationships. Share examples of how you've successfully led projects and navigated complex stakeholder environments.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates!
How to prepare for a job interview at Climate17
✨Know Your ESIA/ESDD Inside Out
Make sure you have a solid grasp of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) and Environmental and Social Due Diligence (ESDD) processes. Be ready to discuss specific projects where you've applied these frameworks, especially in relation to lender requirements and international standards.
✨Showcase Your Client Management Skills
Since this role involves senior client-facing responsibilities, prepare examples that highlight your experience managing key client relationships. Think about how you've navigated complex stakeholder environments and maintained calm under pressure during transactions.
✨Demonstrate Commercial Awareness
Be prepared to discuss your understanding of scoping, budgets, and delivery planning. Highlight any experiences where you’ve successfully managed project finances or improved margins, as this will show your ability to contribute to the growth of the Project Finance offering.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Relevant Standards
Brush up on the IFC Performance Standards and Equator Principles. Be ready to explain how you've applied these standards in your previous roles, as this knowledge is crucial for the position and will demonstrate your expertise in the field.
