At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape the future of sustainable buildings and deliver impactful client advice.
- Company: Join Max Fordham, an award-winning employee-owned engineering practice.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, flexible working, and six weeks holiday.
- Other info: Gain mentorship and career growth opportunities in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the transition to a net zero carbon world.
- Qualifications: Degree in engineering, architecture, or related field; analytical and communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 28000 - 35000 £ per year.
Help shape the transition to a net zero built environment. As a Graduate Sustainability Consultant at Max Fordham, you'll work alongside experienced specialists to deliver client-facing advice on BREEAM, embodied carbon, circular economy strategies, and industry-leading sustainability standards, including the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard. From your first day, you'll contribute to projects that influence the environmental performance of buildings and support our vision of a beautifully engineered, net zero carbon world.
This position is available for an immediate start. If you are interested in working with us, alongside your CV, please provide a conversational cover letter within the application form, that tells us how your skills match the role criteria, and your interests align with our vision of a beautifully engineered net zero carbon world for a sustainable future. We are keen to hear from you.
ABOUT MAX FORDHAM
Here, sustainability is not just a guiding fundament but an everyday practice, woven into the fabric of our projects and professional culture. As you expand your expertise, you’ll play a vital role in delivering technical solutions that advance both environmental responsibility and engineering quality, ensuring every project meaningfully contributes to the legacy of the built environment. Max Fordham is an award-winning MEP engineering practice that is owned by the people who work here, and we are all committed to leading the industry in tackling the challenges posed by the climate and biodiversity crises. We believe it is a shared responsibility to look after each other, care for our communities, and create a sustainable world. We pride ourselves on providing an open, inclusive and supportive environment for our employees and partners.
ABOUT THE ROLE
Graduate Sustainability Consultants are part of our Sustainability group with a particular focus on BREEAM, embodied carbon and circular economy. Based in our Cambridge office, you will work collaboratively with colleagues across all five offices and with our building services engineers to help clients set, test and deliver ambitious sustainability outcomes. You would be working in a purpose-led, employee-owned practice working on projects across multiple sectors, from early strategy and brief-setting through to design, construction and completion.
You will have the chance to build specialist knowledge in environmental assessment and carbon reduction while contributing to wider strategic sustainability advice (UKNZCBS, early-stage brief-setting). You will start by specialising in supporting environmental and wellbeing (BREEAM and WELL) assessments, contribute to embodied carbon modelling and reporting, and explore circular economy opportunities that reduce waste and improve resource efficiency. You will learn how to shape client ambitions and project decision-making through providing pro-active advice.
From the start, you will be in a client facing role, be encouraged to combine analytical thinking, clear communication and curiosity. You will also work with architects, engineers and contractors to turn sustainability targets into practical actions, helping to coordinate evidence, prepare reports, review design information and challenge approaches where they may lead to poor environmental outcomes.
As your experience grows you will have opportunities to learn broader services within our Sustainability group such as:
- BREEAM strategy, assessment management and evidence coordination
- Embodied carbon and whole life carbon modelling, reporting and reduction advice
- Circular economy strategies, resource efficiency and design for adaptability, reuse and recovery
- UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard
- Sustainability strategies for buildings, estates and masterplans
- Scope 3 assessments
- Building performance, energy benchmarking and climate resilience advice
- Health, wellbeing and wider social and environmental outcomes
The successful candidates will gain experience across the breadth of our sustainability consultancy work while developing a clear technical pathway. You will be supported to understand how standards, planning requirements, client briefs and design decisions interact, and how sustainability advice can influence projects at both strategic and detailed levels. You may also contribute to internal sustainability initiatives across the practice and support our building services engineers to deliver better outcomes on their projects.
You will be supported to work towards chartership as a Chartered Environmentalist or Chartered Engineer within four years of joining the practice. You will receive mentoring, structured development and exposure to a wide range of live project work, helping you build both technical confidence and consultancy skills in an industry-leading practice.
ABOUT YOU
We are looking for motivated, curious and enthusiastic graduates who want to make a meaningful contribution to a more sustainable built environment. You should have some knowledge of construction through study or previous experience. You will enjoy working with evidence, data and design information, and be able to communicate clearly with colleagues, clients and wider project teams.
You should ideally have a degree in engineering, architecture or another that is construction related (minimum 2:1 or equivalent). You will have an analytical mind, excellent written and verbal communication skills, strong organisational ability and a flexible approach. You will be comfortable learning new technical topics, asking good questions and working across a broad range of projects. Attention to detail will be important, particularly when preparing assessment evidence, carbon reports and client-facing advice.
WHAT WE OFFER
Max Fordham is a unique working environment valuing diverse thinkers, with all our members sharing a commitment to a sustainable future and a passion for the built environment and good design. Our employee-owned structure puts equity at the heart of the business, creating a highly transparent and collaborative practice structure where everyone has a chance to be heard.
We offer:
- Excellent growth opportunities for your personal and career development in a knowledge driven environment
- Interesting and technically challenging projects
- An inclusive culture and cooperative environment
- Competitive pay and employee bonus
- Mentored support towards professional accreditation
- An annual professional institution subscription
- Opportunities for involvement in business-running activities
- Flexible working arrangements
- Six weeks holiday (including Bank holidays)
- Max Fordham Pension Scheme
- Other benefits include generous paid parental leave, sick pay, and treatment pay, Employee Assistance Programme
- Future opportunities for Partnership
CLOSING DATE: 11th August 2026 at 22:00 (GMT)
HOW TO APPLY
This position is available for an immediate start. If shortlisted, interviews are expected to take place between 1st – 15th September 2026. If you are interested in working with us, we would be delighted to hear from you. In addition to submitting your CV, please include a cover letter within the application form outlining how your skills meet the role criteria and how your interests align with our vision of a beautifully engineered, net zero carbon world for a sustainable future.
To support our fair and anonymised recruitment process, please ensure that your cover letter does not include any personal identification details. Please note that all applicants must have an existing and valid right to work in the UK. As a consequence of the changes made to the Skilled Worker route by the UK Government, we are unable to sponsor Skilled Worker visas for this position.
To apply, please click the 'Apply for this job' button and follow the application process. If you have any additional queries, please contact Meerra Aswin or Lavinia Tutuianu at careers@maxfordham.com.
GRADUATE SUSTAINABILITY CONSULTANT – CAMBRIDGE employer: Max Fordham
Max Fordham is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant and inclusive work culture in the heart of London. With a strong commitment to sustainability, employees are empowered to grow professionally through mentorship and involvement in innovative projects that shape the future of engineering. The company provides excellent benefits, including flexible working arrangements, competitive pay, and generous holiday allowances, making it an attractive place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land GRADUATE SUSTAINABILITY CONSULTANT – CAMBRIDGE
✨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 Max Fordham 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 Max Fordham 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 Max Fordham. 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 Max Fordham when they search for candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace GRADUATE SUSTAINABILITY CONSULTANT – CAMBRIDGE
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 Max Fordham'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 GRADUATE SUSTAINABILITY CONSULTANT – CAMBRIDGE.
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 Max Fordham 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 Max Fordham 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 GRADUATE SUSTAINABILITY CONSULTANT – CAMBRIDGE.
How to prepare for a job interview at Max Fordham
✨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 Max Fordham.
✨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 Max Fordham.
✨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 Max Fordham. 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.
