Associate Director - London

Purosearch; Greater London; On-site; GBP 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Purosearch is seeking an Associate Director to lead Sustainable Design and Building Performance in London. You will drive sustainability strategies, oversee regional teams, and champion low-carbon engineering across a prestigious project portfolio.

The role requires Chartered Engineer status, 10+ years in sustainability, and strong leadership. Expect high-level client engagement, business development, and mentoring across the team.

Qualifications

• Chartered Engineer (CEng) or equivalent professional status.
• Master's or Honours degree in Sustainable Design and Energy or Building Services Engineering.
• Expert/advanced proficiency with IES VE for building performance simulation.
• Professional accreditations (e.g., LCC, LCEA).
• Experience with LCA/WLCA, Circular Economy, and building certification standards (BREEAM, WELL, LEED).
• Proven track record navigating GLA planning policy requirements.
• 10+ years in building sustainability/engineering; 5+ years in leadership; experience managing office dynamics and regional multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership & Operations: Oversee performance, growth, and resource management of the London and regional sustainability teams.
• Building Performance & Modeling: Lead development, validation, and quality assurance of dynamic thermal and energy models using IES VE.
• Planning Policy & Compliance: Ensure full integration and compliance with UK planning sustainability requirements, with emphasis on GLA policy.
• ESG & Environmental Frameworks: Direct strategy around WLCA/LCA, Circular Economy, and sustainable rating systems (BREEAM, WELL, LEED).
• Client & Team Management: Act as a key technical advisor to major clients, lead business development initiatives, and mentor senior/junior engineering staff.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Team mentoring

Client liaison

Sustainability strategy

Team management

Education

Chartered Engineer (CEng) or equivalent

Honours or Master's degree in Sustainable Design / Energy / Building Services Engineering

Tools

IES VE

BREEAM/WELL/LEED knowledge

Job description

Job Title: Associate Director - Sustainable Design & Building Performance

Location: London, UK

Employment Type: Full-time

Industry: Built Environment / Engineering Consultancy

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and visionary Associate Director to lead our Sustainable Design and Building Performance team in London. In this senior leadership position, you will drive high-impact sustainability strategies, manage regional team operations, and champion low-carbon engineering solutions across a diverse portfolio of prestigious projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership & Operations: Oversee the performance, growth, and resource management of the London and regional sustainability teams.
• Building Performance & Modeling: Lead the development, validation, and quality assurance of complex dynamic thermal and energy models using IES VE.
• Planning Policy & Compliance: Ensure full integration and compliance with UK planning sustainability requirements, with a deep emphasis on GLA (Greater London Authority) policy.
• ESG & Environmental Frameworks: Direct strategy around Whole Life Carbon (WLCA/LCA), Circular Economy, and sustainable rating systems (BREEAM, WELL, LEED).
• Client & Team Management: Act as a key technical advisor to major clients, lead business development initiatives, and mentor senior/junior engineering staff.

Key Requirements & Qualifications

Education & Professional Status:

• Chartered Engineer (CEng) or equivalent professional status.
• Minimum Honours or Master's degree in a relevant discipline (preferably Sustainable Design and Energy or Building Services Engineering).

Technical Expertise & Accreditations:

• Expert-level proficiency with IES VE for building performance simulation.
• Relevant professional accreditations (e.g., LCC, LCEA).
• Hands-on exposure to LCA/WLCA, Circular Economy principles, and building certification standards (BREEAM, WELL, LEED).
• Proven track record of navigating GLA planning policy requirements.

Leadership & Experience:

• 10+ years of progressive industry experience in building sustainability/engineering.
• 5+ years in a leadership or managerial capacity.
• Demonstrated track record managing office dynamics and regional multidisciplinary teams