Sustainability Advisory Leader

Thrive on openness, respect and collaboration? Good. Us too. Join us to lead our Sustainability Advisory practice and create transformative outcomes for people, planet and places.

This is an opportunity to build and shape an impactful new Advisory practice, harnessing our deep domain expertise in the built environment.

We intend to appoint this role at either Director or Partner (direct entry) level, depending on experience.

Here at Buro Happold, expect the exceptional.

From the projects you will work on to the clients we work with. From career-defining opportunities to an inclusive and diverse practice where we all contribute to a more equitable world. From our reputation to our relationships. Wherever your Buro Happold career takes you, it’ll be anything but ordinary.

Your next role

Buro Happold has made clear statements of intent in responding to the climate and biodiversity emergency through our projects and through our collaborations with clients.

We see enormous opportunities to create a Sustainability Advisory ‘practice’ within Buro Happold that combines strategic advisory, management consultancy and technical insight, built on a solid foundation of technical and subject matter expertise and experience. There will be a particular focus on developing and implementing ESG strategies for organisations.

The Sustainability Advisory Leader will draw up upon existing BH consulting teams and capabilities as well as building something new to take us to the next level.

Existing teams include:

• Sustainability & Physics
• Energy
• Environment
• Ecology & Biodiversity Management
• Water
• Mobility
• Economics
• Urban Strategies
• Asset consulting
• Digital advisory

These teams work at different scales in the built environment with a core focus on buildings and masterplans but also operating at portfolio or city levels.

They, in turn, are underpinned by core design-focussed engineering disciplines including structures, MEP, infrastructure, facades and other specialists.

Over the last 2-3 years we have been building our global sustainability advisory capability focusses on 6 key areas:

• ESG consulting
• Net zero carbon
• Climate resilience
• Circular economy
• Social impact
• Biodiversity & Nature

Some of these areas are now well established with existing clients, projects, methods and capability whilst others are more emergent. What is common, though is a desire to scale these propositions into becoming a significant, sustainable piece of business that is focussed on understanding and creating advisory solutions for client opportunities and challenges by drawing upon an interconnected set of thinkers, innovators, collaborators and subject-matter specialist across the practice as well as external collaborators.

What will you be doing?

This role will see you leading the growth of a Sustainability Advisory practice within the UK. Building on our current services and clients, you will shape our advisory strategy and design our approach to Sustainability Advisory.

You will shape strategic direction for Advisory services, provide technical leadership (SME), drive business growth, and foster a culture of innovation. Your extensive expertise in sustainability, coupled with your passion for driving positive change, will be instrumental in guiding our clients towards transformative sustainability solutions.

Key Duties:

• Taking ownership for Buro Happold’s Sustainability Advisory service offer in the UK, coordinated with adjacent services in teams in the UK (Buildings, Cities and Advisory)
• Developing and maintaining productive relationships with key clients to win sustainability advisory work.
• Lead the delivery of each project, engaging with both the client and the project delivery team to ensure quality standards and client expectations are met.
• Drive competitive advantage by understanding and influencing global trends related to our industry, sector, customers, technology markets, and competitors.
• Position Buro Happold as a thought leader and strong player in the sustainability advisory sectors.
• Lead by example to embed a culture that is collaborative, client-centric, consulting-centric and commercially focused.
• Being an ambassador for diversity and inclusion, demonstrating behaviours that encourage openness, trust, and collaboration.

Your skills & experience:

• Extensive experience in a leadership role within the sustainability sector.
• Proven track record of successfully leading and managing teams and complex projects in the field of sustainability and energy.
• In-depth knowledge of organisational/ corporate sustainability principles, ESG strategy and delivery, and sustainability standards.
• Associated knowledge of the energy sector, in particular fields such as energy transition, net zero, renewable energy is desirable
• Demonstrated expertise in developing and implementing sustainable strategies and initiatives.
• Exceptional strategic thinking and business acumen, with the ability to identify and capitalise on market opportunities.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to influence and inspire diverse audiences.
• Strong client relationship management skills, with a customer-centric approach and a commitment to delivering exceptional service.
• Passion for sustainability and a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities in the sustainability sector.
• Proven ability to drive innovation, foster a collaborative culture, and lead change within an organisation.
• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as Environmental Science, Sustainability, or Business. Advanced degree preferred.

At Buro Happold, everyone else’s extraordinary is just our everyday.

Apply today and be a part of our legacy.

A place for everyone

Buro Happold values individual's flexible approaches to working patterns as an important part of the way you work and achieve balance. We welcome applications from those who are seeking flexibility in their careers.

Our exceptional portfolio of projects is the result of the diversity of thought, identities, backgrounds and experiences that shape us. Appreciating each other’s differences is key, we want employees to feel they don’t have to mask elements of their identity to thrive.

We are working to change the lack of representation of marginalised groups in the built environment and are particularly keen to hear from anyone who feels they are underrepresented in the industry. We have much to learn from one another. Embracing difference allows us to develop the most innovative and elegant solutions.

Please let us know if there are any adjustments we could make to the application process to make it easier and more comfortable for you. Contact recruitment@burohappold.com so we can work with you to support you throughout your application.