Principal Sustainability Consultant (Renewable Energy)

TN United Kingdom; City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Principal Sustainability Consultant to lead innovative renewable energy projects. This role offers a unique opportunity to engage in impactful consultancy work, focusing on grid-scale renewable energy solutions, including solar and battery storage. Join a dynamic team dedicated to addressing climate challenges and driving sustainable energy solutions. With a commitment to diversity and inclusion, the firm provides a supportive environment for professional growth and development. Flexible working arrangements and a focus on work-life balance make this position highly appealing.

Benefits

Health benefits

25 days of holiday

Early finish on Fridays

Flexible benefits

Day off for good causes

Qualifications

• Experience with grid connection processes for renewable developments.
• Technical knowledge of PV, Wind, Hydro, and Battery Energy Storage.

Responsibilities

• Lead renewable energy generation and storage consultancy projects.
• Manage client relationships and oversee project delivery.
• Develop and lead team operations and resource planning.

Skills

Renewable energy consultancy

Project management

Client relationship management

Commercial management

Team leadership

Technical knowledge of renewable systems

Education

Degree in Engineering or Environmental Science

Job description

Principal Sustainability Consultant (Renewable Energy), Edinburgh

We have an exciting opportunity for a Principal Consultant specializing in renewable energy to join our SES team. Our team has a national presence, and we welcome applications from candidates who can commute to any of our offices across the UK.

As an inclusive employer, we offer flexible working arrangements to suit personal circumstances. We welcome applicants seeking part-time or full-time hours and promote hybrid working within our teams!

Your role will include:

• Acting as the technical and project lead for grid-scale/Front of the Meter renewable energy generation and storage consultancy projects, primarily battery and solar power based.
• Overseeing project delivery for your portfolio of schemes.
• Managing and developing key client relationships.
• Commercial management of projects.
• Resource management for the team.
• Team leadership, recruitment, and development.

Our Smart Energy & Sustainability division:

We help clients unlock cheaper, cleaner, and more reliable energy, maximizing economic and environmental value while adhering to sustainability principles. We are passionate about addressing climate and energy challenges with positive solutions and are committed to being net-zero by 2030.

Our work includes:

• Net-zero carbon studies
• Planning application support including energy strategy and environmental assessments
• Climate change studies
• Life-Cycle Carbon and Cost Analyses (LCCA)
• Renewable energy development and consultancy
• Carbon management verification

Our team combines engineers and consultants, delivering a wide range of project inputs from inception onwards. We are a lively, good-spirited team excited about our work and welcoming new members.

To succeed in this role, you’ll ideally have experience within:

• Distribution and Transmission grid connection processes for renewable developments (c20-500MW scale).
• Renewable energy and storage development, including market, commercial structures, revenue streams, supply chains, routes to market, procurement, build-out, and energization.
• Renewable energy revenue opportunities, including grid services, ancillary markets, auctions, etc.
• Technical knowledge of feasibility, design, procurement, and operation of PV, Wind, Hydro, Anaerobic Digestion, Battery Energy Storage Systems, Long Duration Energy Storage, Hydrogen.
• Strategic liaison with TNO/DNO, site finding, and viability stages.
• Working with developers as a technical lead for renewable projects.
• Knowledge of planning processes for various scales.
• Relationships with supply chain and partners (IDNO/ICP, equipment suppliers, etc.).
• Industry changes and opportunities (Ofgem, NGESO, REMA, network reforms, revenue markets).

It would benefit your application if you have experience within:

• Business development and sales of consultancy services in renewables.
• Team operations and resource planning.
• Management and development of junior staff.
• Development and enhancement of in-house processes and expertise.

What we can offer you:

• Inspiring colleagues and a supportive environment.
• Reward for progression and effort.
• Development of soft and technical skills.
• Health benefits, 25 days of holiday (with options to buy/sell days), and bonus holidays.
• Early finish on Fridays (4 pm).
• Day off for good causes.
• Flexible benefits, including climate perks and EV leasing schemes.

A place to feel included

We champion diversity, equity, and inclusion. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we support our employees and ensure a safe, nurturing environment. We consider all applications individually, and we ask applicants to inform us of any physical or neurodiverse conditions for appropriate adjustments.

Next steps

After submitting your application via our careers site, we will review and respond promptly. If shortlisted, a Talent Acquisition Team member will contact you for a pre-screen call, followed by a formal interview via video or in our offices.

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