Senior Associate Sustainability Consultant

Rider Levett Bucknall; London; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading sustainability consultancy in London seeks a Senior Associate Sustainability Consultant. This role involves leading sustainability projects, business development, and mentorship. The ideal candidate has vast experience in sustainability consulting, strong commercial acumen, and expertise in ESG certifications. Competitive salary and benefits, including hybrid working arrangements, are offered.

Benefits

Hybrid Working

Competitive salary

Health and wellness options

Healthcare packages

Continuous learning and development

Social Responsibility activities

Qualifications

• Vast experience in sustainability consulting within built environment.
• Proven expertise in sustainability strategy consulting.
• Experience with ESG certifications such as BREEAM, LEED.

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver complex sustainability projects.
• Drive business development and achieve revenue targets.
• Mentor and manage a multidisciplinary team.

Skills

Strong commercial acumen

Excellent communication

Team management

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Degree in sustainability or related field

Chartered accreditation (e.g., IEMA, RICS)

Job description

Senior Associate Sustainability Consultant

Department: Sustainability

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: London

Description

Why RLB?At RLB, we live by four simple ideas: Truth, Trust, Together, Tomorrow. Four values that live at the heart of RLB. A place where People Make Progress.

We value your skills, talents and unique perspectives - we think they are priceless.

Bring them to RLB and you'll be empowered to shape our future and your career in new and meaningful ways.

We'll give you opportunities to work on some of the most ambitious and exciting projects currently being designed and developed in the built environment sector.

You'll continue to learn and advance as everyone who works for us is provided with a tailored training programme. Our mentoring and reverse mentoring schemes will enable you to share your expertise while gaining fresh insights.

What makes RLB unique is our inclusive culture. As an independent, employee-owned business, teamwork and collaboration lies at the heart of everything we do. Hybrid and flexible working arrangements and family-friendly policies are just some of the ways we invest in employee wellbeing.

Join us and you will thrive personally as well as professionally.

Role Overview

Are you a strategic sustainability consultant with deep expertise in environmental accreditations, carbon strategies, and nature-based solutions? We're looking for a Senior Associate to join our growing Sustainability team and help shape the future of sustainable development across the UK and internationally.

Role Context & Purpose

As a Senior Associate, you will play a pivotal leadership role in delivering high-impact sustainability strategies and driving commercial growth. With a focus on business development (50%), team leadership (30%), and process improvement (20%), you will lead client engagements across net zero pathways, decarbonisation strategic delivery, carbon and climate risk, nature-based solutions, and ESG certifications.

This role has been created in response to sustained growth and succession planning. It offers a unique opportunity to influence the direction of our services, mentor emerging talent, and build long-term client relationships in a fast-evolving market.

Key Duties: Typical duties will include but not limited to:

• Lead and deliver complex sustainability projects, including:
• Net zero and carbon reduction strategies
• Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) and nature-based solutions
• ESG and climate risk frameworks (e.g., TCFD, SBTi)
• Environmental certifications (e.g., BREEAM, LEED, WELL)
• Advise clients at asset, portfolio, and corporate levels across UK and international estates and portfolios
• Drive business development, identifying new opportunities and achieving revenue targets equivalent to 10x base salary
• Mentor and manage a multidisciplinary team of consultants, supporting their technical and professional growth
• Provide thought leadership on emerging sustainability trends, regulatory changes, and market expectations
• Oversee project delivery, ensuring quality, timeliness, and commercial performance
• Enhance internal processes, including WIP tracking, financial reporting, and knowledge-sharing
• Champion team culture, collaboration, and innovation

Essential

• Vast experience in sustainability consulting, ideally within the built environment
• Proven expertise in:
• Private and public sector
• Sustainability strategy consulting
• ESG certifications (BREEAM, LEED, WELL)
• Carbon accounting, net zero strategies, decarbonisation strategies (GHG Protocol, SBTi)
  
  • To include net zero trajectories, carbon scenario modelling and climate risk scenarios
• Nature-based solutions and BNG frameworks
• Climate risk and resilience (e.g., TCFD)
• Strong commercial acumen with a track record of winning and growing client accounts
• Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder engagement skills
• Experience managing teams, budgets, and complex project portfolios
• Familiarity with data platforms and sustainability analytics tools

Qualifications & Professional Background

• Degree in sustainability, environmental science, engineering, or a related field
• Chartered or professional accreditation (e.g., IEMA, RICS, CEnv) preferred
• Additional language skills are a plus

RLB Employee Benefits

Our culture is built around enabling you to fulfil your potential, so you can look forward to benefits that include:

Hybrid Working - Working patterns to support your work-life balance. As well as competitive maternity and paternity packages.

Well-Rewarded - A competitive salary and generous holiday entitlement. As well as the opportunity to purchase up to five extra days.

Focus On Wellbeing - We offer a number of health and wellness options, including gym membership and cycle to work schemes.

Healthcare Packages - Private healthcare insurance and medical support, including dental insurance and eyecare vouchers.

Personal Development - A continuous learning and development programme, including established APC and in-house mentoring schemes.

Additional Benefits - We offer a wide range of benefits including a season ticket loan and professional membership subscriptions.

Exceptional Exposure - You'll have the opportunity to work on diverse projects across different sectors and regions.

Social Responsibility - We hold team and social events as well as charity fundraising and volunteering activities.

Our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Commitment

We believe in building a diverse and inclusive environment where each person can be themselves, feel valued for their contribution and be challenged and supported to reach their full potential. We have a responsibility to support the communities in which we live and work, and that our workforce should reflect these communities and our clients. Our talent strategy should enable us to overcome bias in the construction industry by recruiting, retaining, developing, and promoting a diverse and inclusive workforce. Find out more here: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion - RLB | Europe

If you require any reasonable adjustments to support you during any stage of the application or interview process, please contact our recruitment team at: [e-mail]