Senior Sustainability Consultant

Gleeds; Nottingham; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A global property consultancy in the UK is seeking a Senior Sustainability Consultant to drive sustainability strategies and support clients in achieving net zero goals. The role demands excellent communication skills, a strong track record in sustainability consultancy, and an ability to lead projects through various phases. Ideal candidates will bring a degree in a relevant field and relevant certifications. This position offers opportunities for personal growth and innovation in sustainability practices.

Benefits

Supportive team culture

Opportunity for professional development

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in sustainability consultancy within the property sector.
• Experience leading projects through design and construction phases.
• Relevant professional qualifications such as BREEAM Assessor or AP.

Responsibilities

• Support development of net zero carbon and sustainability strategies.
• Lead on sustainability certification schemes such as BREEAM and LEED.
• Prepare technical reports on climate change adaptation and sustainable procurement.

Skills

Sustainability consultancy

Communication skills

Carbon management

BREEAM certification

Education

Degree in engineering, architecture, or construction management

Tools

OneClick LCA software

Job description

Senior Sustainability Consultant

Location: UK (preference for Nottingham, Manchester, London or Bristol)

About Gleeds and the Sustainability team

Gleeds is long-established global property services consultant, providing cost and project management, building surveying and advisory services. We are one of the largest dedicated consultants in our sector with over 2,000 staff globally. We deliver services for clients across public and private sectors and with over 150 years of experience, Gleeds has earned a reputation for delivering award-winning projects across sectors like infrastructure, energy, healthcare, life sciences, and more.

The sustainability team is part of our advisory business and delivers a range of sustainability services to our clients. We specialise in guiding clients and organisations towards net zero carbon goals and enhancing sustainability performance across their organisation and property portfolios. Our team comes from a diverse background, including engineers, architects, ecologists and environmental specialists creating a dynamic and collaborative environment. We take pride in our supportive team culture and are excited to welcome new talent and fresh perspectives to help us grow and evolve.

Your role will include

• Supporting development of net zero carbon and sustainability strategies on individual projects or for clients. You’ll play a key role in shaping project ambitions—working closely with clients to define meaningful sustainability outcomes and providing expert guidance on the strategies and actions needed to achieve them.
• Being the technical expert, championing innovation in key areas of sustainability, with a particular focus on carbon and energy management, whole life carbon assessment, sustainable buildings (including green building certifications) and environmental impact / town planning.
• Bringing a pro-active and well-rounded approach to sustainability, navigating major issues across a wide spectrum of sustainability issues effectively with relevant stakeholders.
• Contributing to business growth through bid support, engaging in corporate and business unit development activities, fostering innovation, and building strong client relationships.
• Support internal sustainability training and upskilling of colleagues in our core services of cost and project management and building surveying; helping to ensure sustainability is embedded throughout our business.
• You’ll contribute to Gleeds’ social value initiatives—actively participating in programmes that support local communities, promote wellbeing, and create lasting impact.

Your key tasks and responsibilities are likely to include:

• Working as a sustainability advisor on new build and refurbishment projects across a broad range of sectors and covering a wide range of sustainability related goals such as net zero carbon targets, biodiversity, climate change adaptation etc. Working with both public and private sector organisations.
• Embodied / Whole Life Carbon assessments using OneClick LCA software
• Leading and delivering on sustainability certification schemes such as BREEAM / SKA / WELL, LEED where applicable.
• Preparing technical reports on sustainability related issues such as climate change adaptation, sustainable procurement and circular economy.
• Developing decarbonisation strategies for estates / whole client asset portfolios to assist clients in meeting decarbonisation targets.
• Contributing to the growth and development of the sustainability team business, such as engaging in business development opportunities when they arise and preparing fee proposals.

As a part of our team, you will work on a diverse range of projects, from providing strategic advice to a client down to project specific deliverables such as embodied carbon assessments. Our projects vary in scale from small energy retrofit schemes to £multi-billion data centre and infrastructure developments, across public and private sectors and spanning building typologies from commercial offices and mixed-use developments to healthcare, education, infrastructure, heritage assets and more each presenting unique challenges and opportunities for innovation and personal growth.

Person profile

You are a passionate sustainability professional, motivated by the opportunity to help the property industry respond to the urgent challenges of climate change. You thrive on delivering meaningful outcomes and enjoy working collaboratively to drive positive change. We are looking for someone to join us who will bring:

• At least 5 years of experience delivering sustainability consultancy services within the property sector.
• You are a team player with excellent communications skills who can engage clients, explain complex sustainability challenges and develop practical and impactful solutions.
• Experience of leading on projects through both the design and construction phase.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage your own workload and proactively engage with the team and clients to meet project deadlines.

• The ability to work well both within a team but also with autonomy where required
• Hold, or be working towards relevant professional qualifications (e.g. MISEP, BREEAM Assessor / AP, MCIBSE)
• You hold a degree level qualification in a relevant subject, (e.g. engineering, architecture, construction management)Ideally you will have experience or qualifications in one or more of the following:

• Experience in managing sustainability certification for projects (e.g BREEAM, LEED)
• Experience in developing organisational or property decarbonisation strategies.
• Experience in delivering Embodied / Whole Life Carbon assessments using OneClick LCA software.Knowledge and understanding of the RICS WLCA approach and other similar methodologies adopted across the UK
• BREEAM Assessor / AP Qualified
• Experience in Circular Economy and developing strategies for clients and projects.
• SKArating Assessor
• WELL AP qualified

About us

Gleeds is a global property and construction consultancy with over 150 years of expertise, operating in 28 countries worldwide. From iconic landmarks to critical infrastructure, we drive innovation, sustainability and value, delivering transformative projects that shape communities and redefine the built environment.