Principal Consultant, Climate Change

About ERM Sustainability is our business.  As the world’s largest specialist sustainability consultancy, ERM partners with clients to operationalize sustainability at pace and scale, deploying a unique combination of strategic transformation and technical delivery capabilities. This approach helps clients to accelerate the integration of sustainability at every level of their business.  With more than 50 years of experience, ERM’s diverse team of 8000+ experts in 40 countries and territories helps clients create innovative solutions to their sustainability challenges, unlocking commercial opportunities that meet the needs of today while preserving opportunity for future generations.

ERM

Shaping a sustainable future with the world’s leading organizations

health & safetyrisk and social consultancysustainability consultingoil & energymining & metalschemicalsREACHpower & utilitiesproduct stewardshipenvironmental consulting

E

erm.com

5,001-10,000 employees

Business Consulting and Services

London

Privately Held

636k LinkedIn followers

• Enable organizations to develop credible, assurance-ready climate disclosure programs aligned with leading global frameworks and emerging regulations.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to executive leadership teams, sustainability leaders, finance functions, and other key stakeholders.
• Advance ERM's climate and sustainability disclosure solutions through innovation, productization, and scalable delivery models.
• Strengthen client confidence through rigorous greenhouse gas accounting, assurance readiness assessments, and technical leadership.
• Build high-performing teams and mentor consultants to develop the next generation of climate professionals.
• Contribute to ERM's growth through client relationship development, commercial leadership, and thought leadership.
• Lead GHG inventories under the GHG Protocol and ISO 14064-1 across Scopes 1, 2 and 3, including Scope 3 screening and PCAF financed emissions.
• Advise on target setting, including SBTi, and develop decarbonization pathways and emissions abatement analyses.
• Guide clients through ISSB/IFRS S2, CSRD/ESRS, CDP, TCFD and U.S. state disclosure requirements, including California SB 253 and SB 261.
• Lead assurance-readiness and pre-assurance work, including reporting criteria, controls, evidence, and methodology, process and data gap assessments that prepare clients for limited or reasonable assurance.
• Perform quantitative analyses using Excel-based and bespoke models and ERM's digital emissions platforms, acting as GHG subject matter expert.
• Direct independent technical reviews of deliverables and coach colleagues to deliver high-quality, defensible outputs.
• Design standardized, scalable offerings, methodologies, templates and toolkits for climate and disclosure engagements.
• Productize assurance-readiness and GHG data services, such as Scope 1 and 2 data vouching and recalculation.
• Leverage ERM's global delivery centers and hybrid delivery models, with clear quality review and escalation protocols.
• Contribute to ERM digital tool development, including methodology alignment and user acceptance testing.
• Lead multiple simultaneous engagements through scoping, proposals, contracting, budget and delivery.
• Build trusted relationships with clients and manage a wide range of stakeholders, from sustainability and finance teams to executive leadership.
• Listen to clients, co-develop value-driven solutions and think strategically to influence decision-makers.
• Deliver impactful executive communications and education, including on Scope 3 and assurance expectations.
• Accountable for personal billability, revenue contribution targets and engagement financial performance.
• Line manage direct reports, including performance management and career development, and coach and celebrate others to advance engagement and results.
• Mentor junior and mid-level staff, build practice capability and support knowledge transfer across teams.
• Lead multidisciplinary and cross-border teams, including colleagues in ERM's global delivery centers.
• Identify new opportunities and lead proposals, pitches and business development campaigns.
• Support Partners, Principals and Account Management teams with commercial strategies and sales goals.
• Collaborate with Corporate Sustainability Advisory, Transactions and Digital Services, and cross-sell services such as air quality, environmental compliance and ESG due diligence.
• Monitor regulatory and market developments and contribute to ERM thought leadership.
• For the Principal Consultant, Climate Change & Sustainability Disclosure position, the anticipated annual base pay is $122,400–$164,100 (USD). Actual pay will depend on factors such as education, experience, skills, location, performance, and business needs. In some cases, pay may fall outside this range. This role may be eligible for bonus pay subject to the sole discretion of ERM and its policies and procedures (casual and fixed term/flex force employees are not bonus eligible).
• We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including paid time off (vacation, sick, and floating holidays), parental leave, medical, dental, vision, life, disability, AD&D insurance, 401(k), and other applicable benefits to eligible employees.

Required

• Bachelor's degree in environmental science, atmospheric science, engineering, energy policy, economics or a related field; or equivalent experience.
• 6+ years (10+ years preferred) of experience in climate and sustainability consulting, assurance, industry or government.
• Deep expertise in the GHG Protocol and ISO 14064-1 across Scopes 1, 2 and 3.
• Hands-on experience with ISSB/IFRS S2, CSRD/ESRS, CDP and TCFD.
• Experience in sustainability assurance or assurance readiness.
• Track record building scalable solutions and operating models, including global or offshore delivery.
• Demonstrated commercial ownership, including managing a project portfolio of approximately $1M+ annually and contributing to sales.
• Line management of 5+ staff and a commitment to the professional development of others.
• Structured, effective communicator who can shape and deliver messages at executive level.
• High-level proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.
• Positive outlook, collaborative mindset, and commitment to ERM's success as a global company.

Preferred

• Master's degree in environmental science, atmospheric science, engineering, energy policy, economics or a related field; or equivalent experience.
• Experience in sustainability assurance or assurance readiness within a Big 4 firm or verification body.
• PCAF/financed emissions experience.
• Environmental compliance or air quality permitting experience.
• Sector experience in energy and utilities, financial services and asset management, industrial and manufacturing, transportation, consumer products, technology or life sciences.

• Paid time off
• Sick leave
• Floating holidays
• Parental leave
• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Disability insurance
• AD&D insurance
• 401(k)