Principal Sustainability Consultant - Defence

Turner & Townsend; Wideopen; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading consulting firm in the UK is seeking a Principal Sustainability Consultant to deliver high-impact consultancy in the Defence sector. The role involves developing net zero strategies and providing project management in sustainability. Candidates should have significant experience in sustainability, strong project management skills, and a relevant degree. The position is full-time, based in the United Kingdom offering a dynamic work environment.

Qualifications

• Significant experience delivering sustainability support, ideally in the defence sector.
• Strong understanding of carbon emissions reduction challenges in defence.
• Able to build strong client relationships and proactively resolve issues.

Responsibilities

• Develop net zero and energy efficiency strategies.
• Provide consultancy on Energy Performance Contracts.
• Deliver Environmental Management Systems and ISO14001 compliance.

Skills

Sustainability consultancy

Project management

Communication skills

Education

Degree in a relevant subject

Project management qualification

Chartered member of a recognized institution

Job description

Principal Sustainability Consultant – Defence

Company Description: At Turner & Townsend we’re passionate about making the difference. That means delivering better outcomes for our clients, helping our people realize their potential, and doing our part to create a prosperous society. Every day we help our major global clients deliver ambitious and highly technical projects in over 130 countries worldwide. Our team is dynamic, innovative and client‑focused, supported by an inclusive and fun company culture. Our clients value our proactive approach, depth of expertise, integrity and the quality we deliver. As a result our people get to enjoy working on some of the most exciting projects in the world.

Job Description: We are seeking experienced and highly motivated sustainability specialists at principal level to work in our Sustainability Unit to support service delivery across a range of programmes in the Defence & Infrastructure division. The role aims to provide high‑impact consultancy support across the wide range of sustainability services, helping clients develop and deliver sustainability strategies across projects and programmes throughout the asset lifecycle. The role is based in the Sustainability Business Unit.

Accountabilities:

• Provide principal‑level consultancy, project management and delivery services in one or more of the following disciplines: Net Zero Carbon, Planning and Sustainability Appraisal/Environmental Impact Assessment, Design for Environment/BREEAM, Circular Economy, Climate Resilience, Natural Capital, Sustainable Procurement, Social Value, Life Cycle Analysis, Sustainability Training / Culture & Behaviours.
• Effectively manage the provision of sustainability services to deadlines and budget as part of a cross‑functional team within Turner & Townsend and with partner consultancies.
• Provide a leading role in supporting clients to develop and deliver sustainability strategies across projects and programmes throughout the asset lifecycle, including scoping, business case, procurement, contract management/troubleshooting, monitoring & verification.
• Develop internal stakeholder relationships with other parts of Turner & Townsend, liaising with Key Account Managers and Sector Leads to develop business opportunities and strategic pursuits.

Responsibilities (Duties):

• Develop net zero strategies, whole building or estate efficiency strategies.
• Energy efficiency consultancy – audits and technical advice, energy efficiency and carbon emissions reductions for existing assets.
• Provide consultancy on Energy Performance Contracts.
• Natural Capital delivery and biodiversity assessment and planning.
• Climate Resilience and risk planning and mitigation.
• Support to planning through EIA/sustainability appraisal.
• Implementation of Design for Environment capability including BREEAM/DREAM/LEED.
• Delivery of sustainable procurement and social value programmes through supply chain management.
• Delivery of Environmental Management Systems and ISO14001 compliance and certification.
• Establishment and rollout of sustainability behavioural change programmes, capacity building, training and cultural change campaigns.

Qualifications:

• Educated to degree level or equivalent in a relevant subject.
• Security clearance for working in the Defence sector highly desirable (current or lapsed clearance).
• Project management qualification desirable.
• Professionally qualified member of a recognised institution, ideally at Chartered level (IEMA, CIBSE, CIWEM or similar desirable).

Knowledge & Experience:

• Significant experience delivering sustainability support for clients, ideally with defence sector experience.
• Experience in Real Estate and/or manufacturing/industrial sectors, particularly for energy.
• Strong understanding of defence sector operation and challenges for reducing carbon emissions from the defence estate.
• Good working knowledge of relevant environmental legislation and climate and sustainability issues.
• Familiarity with Energy Performance Contracts, tendering and contract management (desirable).
• Strong demonstrable project management experience.
• Experience in multi-disciplinary teams and matrix management organisations on major projects and programmes.
• Excellent communication, writing and presentation skills, ability to communicate with clients and key stakeholders on global, national and regional issues.
• Able to build strong, professional client relationships and proactively identify and resolve client issues.
• Confident leading and working alone or as part of a team, with ability to adapt as required.
• Attention to detail in service delivery, communications and ways of working with others.

Additional Information & Policies: SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role, which are to be adhered to where applicable. Turner & Townsend is an equal‑opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and actively encourage applications from all sectors of the community. It is strictly against Turner & Townsend policy for candidates to pay any fee in relation to our recruitment process; no recruitment agency working with Turner & Townsend will ask candidates to pay a fee at any time. For more information, visit www.turnerandtownsend.com.

Seniority Level: Principal

Employment Type: Full‑time

Job Function: Consulting

Industries: Construction, Civil Engineering, Business Consulting and Services