Senior Consultant (Carbon Offsetting Strategies)

Groupe Ecoact; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job description

EcoAct is an international climate consultancy and project developer that supports companies to set robust science-aligned net-zero strategies and achieve their climate targets. Founded in France in 2005, the company now spans three continents with offices in Paris, London, Barcelona, New York, Montreal, Munich, Milan, and Kenya.

We recently joined Schneider Electric’s Sustainability Business, and we believe this move will be market defining for Corporate Sustainability services. We will bring together two best-in-class organizations, passionate about leading clients on their decarbonization journey and tackling the challenges of climate change.

Incorporating EcoAct’s leadership in climate consulting and net zero solutions will expand Schneider’s capabilities to provide holistic, truly end-to-end decarbonization solutions and accelerate the transition to net zero for all.

EcoAct’s core purpose is to lead the way in delivering sustainable business solutions that deliver true value for both climate and client. EcoAct is a CDP Gold Partner, a founding member of ICROA, a strategic partner in the implementation of the Gold Standard for the Global Goals and reports to the UN Global Compact.

About the role

Our consultants help our clients create business value through carbon, energy, biodiversity and sustainability management. They help them to understand their impacts, risks and dependencies on nature and then go beyond measurement to create achievable management plans and to communicate their achievements.

With a significant increase in Net Zero commitments from corporates, the mission of the Carbon Offsetting Senior Consultant is to lead on offsetting strategy opportunities, helping our clients engage with the voluntary carbon market. This role is pivotal in guiding clients through the complexities of carbon offsetting and developing effective strategies to meet their sustainability goals while actively participating in the voluntary carbon market.

Key responsibilities and deliverables

• Lead Strategic Projects: Guide clients in building and implementing ambitious carbon offsetting strategies that enable them to achieve their Net Zero commitments. This involves identifying and developing high impact offsetting projects tailored to each client’s specific needs and goals.
• Support Consultancy Functions: Contribute to our consultancy and sustainability service line by advising on Carbon Finance projects, focusing on voluntary carbon offsetting at both international and national levels (e.g., Woodland Carbon Code). This includes staying updated on market trends and regulatory changes to provide informed advice.
• Assess Project Investment Opportunities: Assist clients with both technical and financial analyses, including project feasibility studies, profitability assessments, and the valuation of carbon credits. This ensures clients make informed investment decisions that align with their sustainability objectives.
• Engage with Nature-Based Solutions Team: Collaborate closely with the Nature-Based Solutions team to gain technical insights and maintain visibility of our carbon offsetting project portfolio. This helps in understanding current investment opportunities and integrating nature-based solutions into client strategies.
• Support Commercial Team: Aid in scoping, costing, and communicating climate finance projects to clients. This involves preparing detailed proposals, presentations, and reports that clearly articulate the benefits and financial implications of proposed offsetting projects.
• Broader services: The opportunity to project manage a selection of projects including: SBTis, Corporate Carbon Footprints, Compliance including but not limited to SECR, Climate Change Agreements (CCA), Emission Trading System (ETS), CDP, LCA and more.
• Managing teams, including mentoring and training staff.
• Internal performance reporting on service line and supporting technical leads.
• Contributing to firm building and identifying improvements in our service offerings.
• Quality Assuring large data sets and analytical outputs; Producing findings reports following research and communicate recommendations to the wider team.

Relationships

Reporting to a senior member of the Advisory Team, this role will be required to work closely with all members of the team, both Advisory and Nature Based Solutions, to achieve Company objectives. External relationships are a key part of the role, with a requirement to liaise with project teams, clients, overseas offices, and representatives from partner organisations.

Professional background and experience

For success in this role the post holder will have significant post-graduate experience of working within carbon and sustainability services and have supported on a range of projects, ideally demonstrated through client consulting engagements in the private sector.
Expertise and experience in some of the following areas and a willingness to learn others is required:

Technical

• Knowledge of voluntary and compliance carbon markets including credit types, operations, key players, and market dynamics.
• Awareness of international, national, and regional regulations governing carbon markets and emissions trading.
• Awareness of key policy frameworks impacting carbon offsetting and sustainability initiatives (e.g., Paris Agreement, CORSIA, Article 6).
• Knowledge of financial instruments and investment strategies related to carbon markets, including pricing, trading mechanisms, and risk management.
• Ability to conduct cost-benefit analyses and financial modelling for carbon offsetting projects.
• Understanding of broader sustainability principles and how carbon offsetting fits into corporate sustainability strategies.
• Ability to adapt strategies based on emerging technologies and market developments.
• Skills in engaging with corporate clients, investors, NGOs, regulatory bodies, project developers, and local communities.
• Proficiency in communicating complex technical information to non-technical audiences and crafting compelling sustainability narratives.
• Competence in managing and analysing large datasets related to emissions, carbon credits, and project performance.
• Ability to develop and present detailed reports, proposals, and presentations to clients and stakeholders.
• Ability to assess and communicate the environmental and social impacts of carbon offsetting projects.
• Familiarity with international standards for carbon accounting and reporting, such as the Greenhouse Gas Protocol and ISO 14064.

Professional

• Extensive professional experience collaborating with FTSE 100 companies and blue-chip clients, delivering strategic insights and recommendations directly to board members, enhancing decision-making processes and driving business growth.
• Experience of working in a consultative manner to understand client needs and guide them to a solution, preferably demonstrated through client consulting engagements in the private sector.
• Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to manage complex project deliveries across multiple simultaneous client engagements.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to speak and present information with confidence in front of an audience, lead and influence client workshops and represent EcoAct at industry events.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with an ability to produce well- presented, error-free results.
• Experience and success in contributing to building teams and business lines in a commercial and profitable way including staff resource planning/skills and monitoring utilisation levels to manage optimum project staffing.
• Strong leadership and management skills and a team player with high personal and professional standards, who can mentor and motivate more junior staff.

Location

The role is based in the UK with a flexible blend of home and office working. The role requires attendance at the London head office as necessary for business purposes.

What we offer you

EcoAct know how important it is to look after our colleagues. As well as a competitive salary, EcoAct offers a comprehensive benefits package including 28 Days Annual Leave + Public Holidays, Holiday Buy & Sell programme, Pension Scheme, Employee Share Ownership Programme, Various Health & Wellbeing Support Options, Gym Flex, Open Talent Market (internal mobility opportunities + access to mentors & projects globally), Shopping & Dining Discounts, Learning Portal and much more.

EcoAct offers great opportunities for your personal development and career advancement. We offer a structured career development path with clear timelines and expectations for progression.

Working with our dedicated team of experts, you will gain a high standard of skills development and expertise, starting with our in-depth induction programme, through to ongoing technical training and an extensive range of learning and development opportunities.

Diversity and inclusion

Diversity & Inclusion is at the heart of our organisation, it’s an integral part of our history, culture, and identity. We recognise that embracing diversity unlocks innovation and creativity and fosters collaboration. We want our employees to reflect the diversity of our communities and the customers we serve. As a result, our teams are stronger to drive the company’s future.

We are proudly participating in the Disability Confident Program offering support to people in the workplace who consider themselves living with a disability.

Company culture

Company culture is of great importance to us and is something that every member of EcoAct helps to create. Our colleague led initiative, which represents the three pillars of Colleagues, Community and Environment, runs numerous activities including, Veggie lunches, volunteering and fund-raising opportunities, wellbeing activities, plastic reduction and energy saving initiatives, social and sports events.

Employee well-being is a key priority for us, and we recognise the importance of work-life balance and how EcoAct can be supportive of individual needs; working from home, working part-time or flexible start and finish times can all be accommodated.