Associate Director (Energy & Carbon)

Useful Simple Trust; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A forward-thinking consultancy in London seeks an Associate Director to enhance energy planning efforts. This role focuses on pioneering sustainability strategies and leading impactful projects across private and public sectors. With a strong commitment to net-zero goals, the ideal candidate will need a relevant engineering degree and experience in leading energy solutions. The role offers a hybrid working environment and emphasizes professional growth and diversity in the workplace.

Benefits

25 days annual leave + bank holidays

Private medical insurance

Flexible working arrangements

Cycle to Work Scheme

Life Assurance

Qualifications

• Leading the design and delivery of energy and carbon strategies across RIBA stages.
• Technical depth in energy systems and sustainable development.
• Ability to lead projects with energy and carbon models.

Responsibilities

• Oversee impactful project delivery while managing resources efficiently.
• Build relationships with clients and collaborators as a trusted advisor.
• Develop proposals and support strategic business development.

Skills

Energy modelling

Project management

Sustainability strategies

Technical design

Team leadership

Education

BEng/BSc in Energy, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering

Chartered Engineer

Job description

Overview

Location: London (hybrid working 2-3 days in office)
Salary: £80K - £90K
Hours: Full-Time 37.5 hours
Employment: Permanent

We are looking for an Associate Director to join our team to take a leading role in developing and growing our work in energy planning. This is an opportunity to work with some of the most forward-thinking clients and on projects that are pioneering approaches to energy transition. The role will be located within our Masterplanning and Sustainability team, working across Expedition and Useful Projects developing and implementing net zero strategies.

As part of the leadership team, you will help us to set business strategy, oversee the delivery of impactful projects, and manage and nurture the development of our energy team.

The type of projects you will lead and support others in delivering are likely to include:

• Developing energy and sustainability strategies for new development and regeneration projects
• Decarbonisation strategies for existing assets and estates
• Feasibility studies for neighbourhood and district energy strategies, working with business improvement districts, local authorities and community groups
• Concept design of heat networks and microgrids
• Lead and develop supporting business cases, delivery models, and planning applications
• Research and policy development

You will deliver these projects for a mixture of private and public organisations, and across a range of scales from regional and district strategies, to plots and buildings.

The role will include

• Building our position as thought leaders in energy transition and net zero carbon through external thought leadership
• Strengthening organisational leadership and expertise in energy and net zero carbon
• Building and developing new and existing relationships with clients and collaborators, developing our position as trusted advisor
• Supporting our strategic business development
• Leading proposals for new work
• Developing long term relationships with clients
• Developing and innovating our approach to delivering value to our clients
• Overseeing the delivery of projects, managing resources to deliver high quality outcomes within client budgets and programme requirements
• Management and mentoring of team members
• Bringing together the skills and expertise that exists across the Trust to develop innovative approaches to delivering societal impact.

Professional qualifications and core knowledge:

• BEng/BSc in Energy, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering
• Chartered Engineer with a relevant body
• Experience in leading the design and delivery of energy and carbon strategies across RIBA Stages, and/or for existing assets
• Technical strength and depth within energy systems, complemented by a wider interest in sustainable development
• Energy modelling, whole life carbon modelling and feasibility design, and ability to lead projects and oversee the work of others.

Personal attributes:

• Committed and proactive approach, with a passion for creating a better built environment
• Team player
• Proactive approach to developing and sharing knowledge, and nurturing the development of others
• Flexible & adaptable to work in an SME organisation with a fast moving and growing work pipeline

Who we are

The Useful Simple Trust (UST) is an award-winning group of professional design and consultancy practices driving change in the built environment through our four brands; Expedition Engineering, Useful Projects, Useful Studio, and Thomas.Matthews.

Certified as a B Corp, Social Enterprise, and Employee Benefit Organisation, we are addressing the significant issues of our time, including Net Zero carbon, circular economy, biodiversity gain, and social impact. Further to investing and growing our people as much as we do our business, we are a certified Carbon Literate Organisation, and are committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2030.

Diversity statement:

UST strives to be a diverse and inclusive place where we can all be ourselves. We are working to change the lack of representation of minority groups and are particularly keen to hear from anyone with relevant skills and experience who feels they are underrepresented in the industry.

We encourage people from culturally diverse backgrounds, women, people with different abilities, LGBTIQ+ community, gender, all age groups, and those with intersectional or multiple diverse characteristics to apply. We know that diversity makes us stronger, and we are committed to creating a working environment that is inclusive and ensures everyone can be heard and valued for their contributions.

What we offer

• An entrepreneurial environment; we"re open to new ideas.

• Personal development programme including enhanced learning and mentoring, as part of a coaching culture.

• Flexible and hybrid working, including the possibility to work a compressed nine-day fortnight.

• 25 days annual leave + bank holidays.

• Service Recognition Awards.

• Working Nursery Scheme.

• Private medical insurance for you and your family.

• Annual Eyecare Plan.

• Life Assurance.

• Company Pension Scheme (grade dependent, minimum of 6%).

• Cycle to Work Scheme.

• Free access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for you and your family.

• Thriving Trust-wide social scene, including charitable activities.