At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead high-profile sustainability projects and mentor junior consultants in a dynamic team.
- Company: Join Max Fordham, an employee-owned firm committed to a sustainable future.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, competitive pay, six weeks holiday, and professional development support.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the environment while growing your career in sustainability.
- Qualifications: 6+ years in sustainability assessment, BREEAM and WELL qualifications required.
The predicted salary is between 43000 - 60000 £ per year.
Ready to take a leading role in delivering high-profile, design-led projects within a flexible, equitable and employee-owned business? At Max Fordham, you'll combine technical excellence with real influence, helping clients navigate complex sustainability challenges while shaping the future of our environmental assessment services. We are looking for a Senior Sustainability Consultant to strengthen and grow our team, supporting project delivery, client relationships and service development. This role is ideally based in our Manchester, Edinburgh or Bristol offices, although we would consider London or Cambridge for the right candidate.
ABOUT THE ROLE
Based in either our Manchester, Edinburgh or Bristol offices, you will manage a range of projects, with support from junior consultants, while working closely with our Certification Manager and other experienced colleagues to review and strengthen our technical standards, templates and delivery approach. Most of the assessments you lead will be BREEAM, BREEAM International and WELL, with opportunities to work across BREEAM Domestic, Fitwel and BREEAM Infrastructure, as well as bespoke assessments against client-specific frameworks. You will also act as lead sustainability consultant on projects, coordinating sustainability input across different disciplines. From time to time, there will be opportunities to deliver complementary services that support certification, including sustainability strategies, planning advice and design team workshops on topics such as climate change adaptation, the Net Zero Carbon Building Standard and ESG. You will work closely with our wider sustainability specialists in materials, wellbeing, net zero carbon, building performance and strategic advice.
You will take responsibility for optimising the team’s technical delivery processes, developing opportunities to grow the service and, over time, helping to build the team. Supported by our Certification Manager, you will play an important role in supervising, mentoring, training and onboarding junior team members, helping to maintain a high standard of work across the group. We see this as a valuable role for someone who enjoys sharing experience, shaping good practice and contributing to team quality.
ABOUT YOU
You will bring confidence, sound judgement and substantial professional experience, providing trusted advice while taking a thoughtful and practical approach to improving how work is delivered. You will have strong technical knowledge of environmental assessments, excellent written and verbal communication skills, strong organisational ability, and a genuine commitment to delivering sustainable outcomes on your projects while contributing to the development of the wider group and practice. You will enjoy building lasting relationships with clients, collaborators and colleagues, and will bring strong knowledge of sustainability assessment schemes.
You will have a strong understanding of how sustainable outcomes can be achieved across different project types, alongside a broad awareness of sustainability issues within the built environment. You will be able to apply sound judgement and critical thinking to identify the best approach for each project, while confidently advocating for sustainability within project teams.
Essential experience:
- At least 6 years of experience as a sustainability assessor in the built environment
- Qualified BREEAM Assessor experienced in positively guiding multiple building and assessment types through to delivery
- Experienced WELL AP
- Knowledge of other environmental assessment methods such as BREEAM Domestic Refurbishment, Fitwel, LEED, Living Building Challenge etc.
- Experience leading and coordinating sustainability advice on projects
- Experience of supervising others
- Experience of managing multiple projects
- Experience of the whole construction process
Additional desirable experience:
- Experience of managing project profitability
- Able to prepare bids and fee proposals
- Experience of workshop facilitation
- Chartered Environmentalist
- Qualified BREEAM Advisory Professional
- Qualified Fitwel Ambassador
- Qualified HQM Assessor
- Qualified LEED AP
- Knowledge of UK Net Zero Carbon Building Standard
- Setting and delivering sustainability strategies for new projects or portfolios
- Experience in Life Cycle Carbon Analysis
- Experience in developing Circular Economy Strategies
- Experience of developing bespoke sustainability frameworks
WHY JOIN US?
At Max Fordham we are working with the built environment to deliver a sustainable future and a thriving planet. Our UK’s leading, award-winning MEP engineering practice is owned by the people who work here and committed to leading the industry in tackling the challenges posed by the climate and biodiversity crises. Shared responsibility to look after each other, to care for our communities, and to create a sustainable world is our embedded belief and we pride ourselves on providing an open, inclusive and supportive environment for our employees and partners.
WHAT WE OFFER
- Excellent growth opportunities for your personal and career development in a knowledge driven environment
- Mentored support towards professional accreditation
- An annual professional institution subscription
- Interesting and technically challenging projects
- An inclusive culture and cooperative environment
- Opportunities for involvement in business-running activities
- Flexible working arrangements
- Competitive pay and employee bonus
- Future opportunities for Partnership
- Six weeks holiday (including Bank holidays)
- Max Fordham Pension Scheme
- Other benefits include generous paid parental leave, sick pay, and treatment pay.
SALARY – £43,000 - £60,000, dependent on experience
CLOSING DATE – 22nd August 2026 at 22:00 (GMT)
HOW TO APPLY
This position is available for an immediate start. If you are interested in working with us, we are keen to hear from you. In addition to providing your CV, please apply with a conversational letter that tells us why you would like to work for us, and setting out how you meet each of the essential experience criteria, as well as any additional experience. Please include details of three projects you have worked on, setting out your role and responsibilities as well as the timeframes for which you held those responsibilities. 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.
SENIOR SUSTAINABILITY CONSULTANT – MANCHESTER, EDINBURGH OR BRISTOL OFFICE 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 SENIOR SUSTAINABILITY CONSULTANT – MANCHESTER, EDINBURGH OR BRISTOL OFFICE
✨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 SENIOR SUSTAINABILITY CONSULTANT – MANCHESTER, EDINBURGH OR BRISTOL OFFICE
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 SENIOR SUSTAINABILITY CONSULTANT – MANCHESTER, EDINBURGH OR BRISTOL OFFICE.
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 SENIOR SUSTAINABILITY CONSULTANT – MANCHESTER, EDINBURGH OR BRISTOL OFFICE.
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.
