Principal Advisory Consultant

Adler & Allan; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading consulting firm in the United Kingdom is seeking a Principal Advisory Consultant to join their team. The ideal candidate will lead and deliver high-impact advisory projects, focusing on sectors such as Water and Energy. Responsibilities include strategic service delivery, project management, and client relationship building. Applicants should possess a degree and at least 8 years of experience in relevant infrastructure fields. Competitive salary and benefits are available, making this an exciting opportunity for career growth.

Benefits

Competitive salary + discretionary bonus

Company pension

25 days annual leave + Bank holidays

Salary Sacrifice Pension scheme

Company mobile phone and laptop

Training and career progression opportunities

Life Assurance Scheme

Electric Car Scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Medicash cash plan

Refer a friend scheme

Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay and leave

Qualifications

• 8+ years of professional experience in infrastructure management.
• Strong understanding of asset management and regulatory frameworks.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Deliver strategic advisory services across various core capabilities.
• Lead projects and manage client relationships effectively.
• Prepare high-quality reports and deliver presentations.

Skills

Strategic planning

Asset management

Regulatory frameworks

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Education

Degree in Engineering, Environmental Science, Geography, Economics, Business, Data Science, or Sustainability

Job description

Location:We operate a hybrid working model, the role can be based at any of our offices combined with working from client locations and home. You will be required to travel to client offices 2 days a week.

Permanent full-time(40 hours)

Competitive salary plus benefits

Job Description

We are seeking Principal Advisory Consultants to join a dynamic and growing team that provides strategic insight and delivery support to help clients navigate change, optimise performance, and achieve sustainable outcomes.

You will work across a range of projects and sectors, primarily inWater and Energy, supporting the delivery of Aqua’s five core advisory capabilities:

• Strategy & Performance– shaping strategic thinking and enabling transformation
• Asset Planning– improving asset decision-making and lifecycle value
• Environment & Sustainability– supporting environmental programmes and climate adaptation
• Regulatory Economics– providing insight into regulatory frameworks and cost intelligence
• Data & Insights– using data to drive performance and decision-making

You’ll be supported through structured development, mentoring, and on-the-job learning, with opportunities to contribute to high-impact work from day one.

In this role, you will lead and deliver high-impact advisory projects, applying Aqua’s expertise to help clients navigate change, optimise performance, and achieve sustainable outcomes. Your responsibilities will include:

• Deliver strategic advisory services across Advisory’s five core capabilities: Strategy & Performance, Asset Planning, Environment & Sustainability, Regulatory Economics, and Data & Insights.
• Lead projects in activities such as, the development of justified and efficient regulatory business plans for clients.
• Improve and make best use of asset data to deliver optimal business solutions.
• Support the creation of long-term adaptive strategies to address future uncertainties.
• Undertake regulatory-focused governance and assurance activities to ensure compliance and robust decision-making.
• Analyse complex data sets to identify trends and provide actionable insights that drive performance.
• Organise and facilitate meetings and workshops with clients to enable collaboration and knowledge sharing.
• Prepare high-quality reports and presentations to inform client and internal decision-making.
• Deliver projects to excellent time, cost, and quality standards, exceeding client expectations.
• Contribute to business development activities, including supporting bids and proposals.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships, ensuring Aqua consistently understands needs and adds value.
• Mentor and coach junior team members, fostering a culture of growth and collaboration.

Qualifications

Degree in a related field (e.g. Engineering, Environmental Science, Geography, Economics, Business, Data Science, Sustainability) or relevant professional training or chartership.

To succeed in this role, you’ll bring a blend of technical expertise, consultancy skills, and leadership capability. Clients are at the heart of everything you do, and you’ll demonstrate the ability to constructively challenge accepted norms and always seek a better way.

• Typically 8+ years of relevant professional experience in infrastructure management within the water, gas, or electricity industries.
• Strong understanding of strategic planning, asset management, or regulatory frameworks.
• Ability to apply best practice and develop innovative solutions to complex challenges.
• Skilled in building and maintaining excellent stakeholder relationships.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret data and trends.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects and deliver to time, cost, and quality standards.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to simplify complex concepts.
• Experience preparing reports, business cases, and presentations for senior audiences.
• Commercial awareness and understanding of project delivery principles.
• Demonstrated leadership in mentoring and supporting team development.

What we can offer you:

• Competitive salary + discretionary bonus
• Company pension
• 25 days annual leave + Bank holidays + option to purchase additional leave.
• Salary Sacrifice Pension scheme
• Company mobile phone and laptop provided.
• Training and career progression opportunities
• Life Assurance Scheme 4 x annual salary
• Electric Car Scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme (with access to GP appointments, Physio appointments and Mental Health Support)
• Medicash cash plan (Money back on everyday healthcare costs such as dental, glasses, contact lenses)
• Refer a friend scheme.
• Enhanced maternity,paternity and adoption pay and leave

Why Aqua Consultants?

We are a fast growing organisation with highly experienced staff at the heart of everything we do. We offer more than just a day job – Aqua offers very competitive salaries and a great working environment. You’ll be able to input into the development and growth of our business whilst we help you progress in your career.

Additional Information

Adler and Allan are committed to fostering diversity and inclusion in our workplace. We proudly embrace equal opportunities for all applicants, regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin. If you require any support with your application, whatever the circumstance, please let us know.