Biodiversity Technical Director in London

Earth Active is a growing, dynamic consulting firm working extensively to support financial institutions, notably in emerging markets.

Founded by a group of entrepreneurial and highly experienced international ESG advisors, we help our clients deliver impactful projects across the globe to align with international E&S standards and safeguards.

We do this through provision of three key services

• ESG strategy, systems, and capacity building
• ESG assessments, due diligence, and monitoring
• ESG communications and reporting.

We are a growing organisation supported by an extensive global network of renowned associates and experts across biodiversity, human rights, and climate change.

Backed by private equity, we tackle the most complex environmental and social challenges facing humanity today and raise the bar on major projects around the globe.

Join us in shaping major development projects in dynamic and evolving geographies around the world.

We take a pragmatic approach, using finance as a tool to drive meaningful environmental and social impact.

Our team values open feedback, champions career growth, and cultivates an inclusive, flexible culture where success is recognised, celebrated, and shared.

The role and responsibilities

To support our ongoing expansion, we are now looking to grow our team through the recruitment of a suitably qualified Biodiversity Technical Director.

This is a unique opportunity for an experienced professional with strong leadership credentials to ensure the service area achieves its objectives and contributes to the overall success of the Business.

You will also play a key role in supporting the business to effectively develop our people.

The ideal candidate will have relevant experience in managing risks and opportunities at the interface between clients, projects, and finance, along with supporting us to continue to build the business and ensuring successful project delivery.

Experience of negotiation from both the lender and developer perspective will be considered.

Strategic Planning

• Develop and execute a strategic plan for the team that supports technical excellence and the company’s broader goals and objectives.
• Identify opportunities for growth, improvement, and innovation within the team’s area of responsibility, including monitoring industry trends and integrating them into the team’s strategies and initiatives.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for internal and external stakeholders, including clients, regarding the Biodiversity offering.

This includes enhancing the services reputation/ credibility with our clients through thought leadership, event attendance and networking.

Projects

• Define project goals, objectives, and deliverables, ensuring alignment with company strategy and client needs
• Oversee project budgets and quality control to maintain financial and operational efficiency
• Oversee the preparation of client deliverables and identify key recommendations
• Ensure adherence to regulatory, legal and safety requirements throughout all stages of the project lifecycle
• Ability to build deep client relationships and be seen as a trusted adviser by senior executives
• Establish and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, clients and internal teams to ensure project success
• Inspire, motivate, coach, and develop other project team members
• Manage and mitigate project risks
• Develop and implement strategies to grow and improve the Biodiversity portfolio of work, ensuring it aligns with company objectives

Technical

• Provide technical leadership and guidance in Biodiversity to the organisation, driving innovation and ensuring technical excellence.
• Manage a team to deliver projects, support clients, maintain technical standards, ensure quality assurance, and effectively manage risk.
• Support business development through technical input into bids, proposals, and client pitches
• Support with the identification project improvements to enhance project delivery and technical methodologies
• Act as a senior technical representative with key clients, partners, and external stakeholders
• Champion knowledge sharing across the organisation
• Set a positive example for all staff on how to efficiently deliver profitable projects whilst providing clients with key commercial and technical insights.
• Contribute to the learning and development of the Biodiversity team and other staff

This is a senior role in a rapidly growing advisory business with associated responsibilities and renumeration.

Packages are market-aligned and a clear path to equity participation is available for the right person.

• The successful candidate will have
• Experience of working at a senior level with diverse internal and external stakeholders, and building effective client relationships
• Highly experienced in proposal development and delivery of Biodiversity projects
• Strong business development experience as part of the wider strategy for the business.
• Strong existing relationships with lenders, developers and seeking international finance.
• Proven track record of working effectively on international projects, on behalf of developers and/or investors.

Experience working for an advisory / consulting business would be useful.

• Experienced of working to align investment to IFC Performance Standards, Equator Principles, PRI and other international requirements
• Demonstrable ability to lead the majority of client interactions, providing clients with a constructive and collaborative approach.
• Passion for working with a small and developing organisation to make a difference
• Demonstrable experience of leading multi-disciplinary teams and growing technical capability, including managing the deployment of resources to deliver successful outcomes and high-quality deliverables.
• Excellent organisation, management, and communication skills
• The right to work in the UK
• What do we offer
• The opportunity to work on major development and infrastructure projects in regions where impact truly matters, delivering meaningful environmental and social outcomes.
• A chance to use finance pragmatically to unlock real-world environmental and social progress for communities and the planet.
• Fast-track career development opportunities, including early responsibility, exposure to complex work, and leadership opportunities
• Ongoing learning and skill development, supported by diverse projects, mentoring, training and access to an international network.
• The opportunity to work with internationally recognised clients on complex, engaging, and career-defining assignments.
• A culture that recognises, celebrates, and shares individual and team achievements.
• A supportive, fast-paced environment that prioritises open feedback, flexibility, and psychological safety.
• The chance to grow alongside a team that is expanding its capability, expertise, and global reach, strengthening how we work together.
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays, with an additional 3 days’ leave during the Christmas shutdown period.
• Eligibility to receive C-Shares under the company’s long-term incentive scheme.
• Annual discretionary bonuses as well as spot bonuses which are awarded throughout the year to recognise and reward exceptional employee contributions
• 1 month paid sabbatical for employees with four or more years of service
• Enhanced sick leave and compassionate leave allowances
• Flexible working arrangements including homeworking, working from abroad and Flexible Fridays, allowing staff to finish work at lunchtime on a Friday for a well-deserved long weekend
• Support with one relevant professional membership per year by covering the annual membership fees
• A medical cash plan that allows staff to recover expenses for a variety of medical costs. This also provides access to virtual GPs and other health care benefits and discounts
• An annual training budget of £1,000 to support the continuous growth and development of our employees
• Workplace nursery scheme providing employees with reduced tax and national insurance payments on nursery costs
• 16 hours of timeout per year allowing you the time to reset
• Next steps
• Please submit your CV and cover letter explaining why you are suited to this role to

Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the clients and communities we serve globally.

We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, or any other basis covered by law.

All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.

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