Principal Sustainability Consultant

JR United Kingdom; Wells; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Principal Sustainability Consultant to lead impactful projects and drive business growth. This role is perfect for a strategic thinker with a passion for sustainability, who thrives in a dynamic environment. You will engage with clients in the music, events, and culture sectors, leveraging your expertise to foster relationships and identify new opportunities. With a hybrid working model and a focus on mentorship, this position offers a unique chance to make a tangible difference while advancing your career. Join a team dedicated to sustainability and innovation, where your contributions will be valued and recognized.

Benefits

32 days annual leave

Flexible hybrid working

Employee Assistance Programme

Income Protection

Life Insurance

Company laptop

Training and development opportunities

Cycle to work scheme

Access to free concert tickets

Qualifications

• 5+ years in environmental sustainability with senior leadership experience.
• Strong understanding of ESG principles and sustainability frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage client relationships and projects from start to finish.
• Identify and convert new business opportunities to meet revenue targets.

Skills

Environmental Sustainability

Business Development

Analytical Skills

Project Management

Communication Skills

Education

Membership of IEMA or similar

Tools

Scoro

Excel

Google Sheets

Job description

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Principal Sustainability Consultant, wells

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Client:

Hope Solutions

Location:

wells, United Kingdom

Job Category:

Other

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EU work permit required:

Yes

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Job Views:

3

Posted:

05.05.2025

Expiry Date:

19.06.2025

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Job Description:

Contract Type: Full time, 12 month fixed term, with potential to extend.

Hours: 40 hour working week. (Some weekends may be required for client events).

Location: Wells, Somerset / hybrid with two days per week in the office.

Reports to: Directors.

About the Role

We’re looking for a forward-thinking Principal Sustainability Consultant to help shape and scale our impact with clients and to help drive new business at a pivotal time. This role is ideal for someone who thrives on building relationships, spotting opportunities, and leading high-impact projects from pitch to delivery.

Who You Are

• Experienced sustainability consultant in a senior role, with hands-on expertise in at least one of these sectors: music, events, entertainment, culture or sport.
• A strategic thinker with a growth mindset and entrepreneurial spirit.
• A confident communicator who thrives in a fast-paced environment.
• Passionate about sustainability and making a tangible impact.
• Someone who views business development as an exciting and essential part of the role.
• A natural mentor who enjoys supporting and helping develop other team members.

What You’ll Need

Experience and Knowledge

• 5+ years of experience in environmental sustainability or related consultancy roles and at least three (3) years experience in a senior leadership role.
• A strong understanding of sustainability and ESG principles, frameworks, reporting structures and standards (e.g. ISO standards, CSRD, SECR, CDP, SBTi, GHG Protocol).
• Practical experience in carbon auditing and emissions reporting.
• Experience in sectors such as entertainment, live events, culture or sport.
• Business development and commercial awareness.
• A track record of successfully winning new work – whether through proactive outreach, pitching, or nurturing existing client relationships.
• Confidence in leading conversations that convert into commercial opportunities.
• A willingness to learn and adapt: eager to develop knowledge through qualifications, training, and collaboration with colleagues.

Technical Abilities

• Analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills are critical, we encourage applicants to highlight how they have applied these in their work.
• Advanced spreadsheet skills (e.g. Excel or Google Sheets); experience with data visualisation tools are a bonus.
• Familiarity with project management and lite CRM platforms (we use Scoro).

Qualifications and CPD

• Membership of IEMA or similar professional body.
• Actively engaged with sustainability and/or entertainment industry groups, and awareness of evolving standards and best practices.

Interpersonal Skills

• Team-oriented with leadership experience.
• Proactive, adaptable, and able to prioritise workflows independently.
• Enthusiastic about mentoring and supporting colleagues.

Don’t feel like you meet all of the requirements? We still encourage you to apply anyway.

We welcome applicants with varying levels of experience if they can demonstrate relevant skills and knowledge.

We have included further information on the daily responsibilities and expectations of the position for applicants below.

Key Tasks and Responsibilities

Team Leadership and Management

• Direct line management of at least one team member, including regular check-ins and bi-annual 360° performance reviews.
• Mentor, coach and develop team members.
• Provide support and high-level input to the business with updates shared in bi-monthly management meetings and team calls.

Project Management

• Oversee multiple projects end to end, ensuring balanced resource management and timelines to minimise capacity issues.
• Use Project Management and time tracking tools (Scoro) to schedule work, assign tasks, and ensure delivery within timelines and budgets.
• Balance own workload with team support to meet deadlines and evolving project requirements.

Relationship Management

• Lead and nurture client, supplier and stakeholder relationships at all levels.
• Manage expectations, facilitate workshops, and ensure consistent communication across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Identify and scope, out-of-contract opportunities and agree associated fees where necessary.
• Ensure high quality outputs that encourage client retention and continued engagement.

Business Development, Sales and Pitching

• Work alongside senior leadership to identify and develop new service lines, resources and growth opportunities, in line with the company’s strategy and goals.
• Identify and convert new business opportunities, with new, existing and previous clients.
• Build and manage a healthy sales pipeline, to meet individual and company revenue targets.
• Work to secure multi-year contracts and retainers where appropriate, to provide consistency and security for the company.

Industry Engagement

• Represent the company at various events, forums, and industry working groups.
• Maintain knowledge of evolving legislation, trends, and best practices through self-study and networking.
• Share key updates internally to ensure company-wide awareness and alignment.
• Elevate the company’s profile in sustainability and the creative & entertainment sectors.

Marketing & Communications

• Input into branding and marketing materials such as the website, newsletters, and social media content.
• Share thought leadership content via LinkedIn and relevant channels.

What We Offer

• 32 days annual leave (incl. bank holidays) plus additional office closure days and birthday leave.
• Flexible hybrid working available.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Income Protection.
• Life Insurance.
• Statutory pension contributions (with option to increase your contributions).
• Company laptop and hybrid working set up provided.
• Training, qualifications and development opportunities.
• Coverage of primary annual professional institution subscription.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Opportunities to be involved with internal, project and industry activities and events.
• Company away days and activities.
• Access to free concert and festival tickets (varies annually).

Inclusion & Accessibility

Hope Solutions is a real living wage and equal opportunities employer, providing a workplace environment free from any form of discrimination, including, but not limited to all protected characteristics of The Equality Act 2010.

We recruit, employ, train and compensate people based on their relevant experience and skills. No person will be disadvantaged by any conditions of the recruitment process or employment.

The candidate will need to confirm their eligibility to work in the UK; Hope Solutions are currently unable to provide visas or sponsorship.

If you require any reasonable adjustments to participate in the recruitment process, please get in touch.

How To Apply

If this sounds like the role for you, please send us a short introduction email telling us a bit about yourself and why you would be suitable for the role to [emailprotected] .

Please include:

• An up to date CV.
• Any questions you have.

Key Dates:

• Shortlisting: 06/05/2025 - 08/05/2025.
• First Interviews: 14/05/2025 - 15/05/2025.
• Second Interviews: 21/05/2025.

We’ll be in touch by 08/05/2025 if you’re shortlisted. If you haven't heard from us by this date, your application has not progressed this time.