ESG Consultant - Principal

Principal ESG Consultant

Thomas Search is delighted to partner with a high‑growth, specialist ESG consultancy to appoint a Principal ESG Consultant in a senior, influential advisory role.

This is a rare opportunity for an experienced ESG professional to step into a leadership position where you will shape strategy, lead complex international projects, influence senior stakeholders, and play a key role in driving the growth of a market‑leading ESG offering.

As a Principal Consultant, you will sit at the heart of the business, leading the delivery of high‑value ESG advisory projects, supporting international lender and developer‑led mandates, and helping to define the future direction of the consultancy's ESG practice.

You'll combine deep technical expertise with commercial awareness, project leadership, and strong client‑facing capability.

• Take ownership of complex, large‑scale ESG projects from inception to completion.
• Lead international ESG projects across multiple sectors, working directly with lenders, developers, and corporate clients.
• Manage project teams, timelines, budgets, and deliverables to exceed client expectations.
• Apply strong commercial discipline to ensure projects perform against business plans.
• Collaborate across disciplines to deliver integrated, high‑quality ESG solutions.

• Lead the development of ESG strategies, reports, disclosures, management systems, and technical deliverables.
• Provide pragmatic, market‑leading advice on ESG risks, opportunities, and performance.
• Align ESG considerations with client business objectives and regulatory expectations.
• Analyse complex ESG data and translate it into clear, actionable insights.

• Degree-qualified in Environmental Science, Sustainability, Geography, Economics, or a related discipline.
• 7+ years’ experience within ESG, sustainability, or environmental consulting (or relevant in‑house role).
• Deep understanding of ESG frameworks, reporting standards and methodologies.
• Proven track record delivering complex ESG strategies, programmes and reports (e.g., IFC, Equator Principles, World Bank).
• Strong commercial acumen with experience winning and growing client work.
• Confident engaging and influencing senior stakeholders.
• Excellent analytical, problem‑solving and communication skills.
• Demonstrated leadership and mentoring experience.
• Comfortable working across multi‑disciplinary teams and complex client environments.

Interested in a confidential conversation? Apply or contact David Ward at (url removed) to discuss the role in confidence.