Senior Sustainability Consultant / Lead | for AJ100 studio specialising in adaptive re-use and re...

ZipRecruiter; London; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 90,000

Job description

Job Description

Senior Sustainability Lead

Are you an experienced sustainability professional looking to make a greater impact? Join a leading AJ100/WA100 architectural practice at the forefront of sustainable retrofit and adaptive reuse. This is an opportunity to take a senior role in a practice that is truly committed to driving sustainability in the built environment.

As Senior Sustainability Lead, you will have the influence and responsibility to shape sustainability strategies, drive innovation, and lead meaningful change. Working across multiple studios and having a practice-wide remit, you will collaborate with business leaders and project teams, ensuring that sustainable practice is embedded in all that they do.

What’s good about this Studio?

This award-winning, employee-owned practice is known for its commitment to quality, innovation, and sustainability. With 300+ professionals across multiple offices in the UK and APAC region, the company has built a reputation as an industry leader in sustainable heritage, conservation and existing building work.

As a signatory of Architects Declare, Heritage Declares, and the RIBA 2030 Climate Challenge, sustainability is embedded in the company’s philosophy. The practice is not just following industry trends—it is setting them, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in sustainable architecture.

Joining this firm means becoming part of a practice that offers its sustainability leaders the platform and autonomy to drive real change, with leadership that wholeheartedly embrace sustainability—something many sustainability professionals find lacking in their current companies.

The Role: Key Responsibilities

As Senior Sustainability Lead, you will be instrumental in shaping the firm’s sustainability agenda, working closely with the head of sustainability. Your responsibilities will include:

• Strategic Leadership – Defining and implementing sustainability strategies across the practice.
• Project Support – Working with teams on pioneering retrofit and adaptive reuse projects, driving carbon savings, biodiversity gains, and social impact.
• Whole Life Carbon & Energy Modelling – Leading data analysis and benchmarking efforts, supporting optioneering, and advising on reduction strategies.
• Industry Leadership & Knowledge Sharing – Engaging with external research groups, representing the firm at industry events, and fostering cross-sector collaboration.
• Business Development & Marketing – Enhancing the firm’s sustainability offer and supporting bids, proposals, and thought leadership initiatives.
• Internal Training & Development – Delivering sustainability training, mentoring teams, and leading the firm’s internal Sustainability Focus Group.
• Performance Tracking & Reporting – Managing sustainability data collection and reporting, including tracking progress against the RIBA 2030 Challenge.

This role also provides the opportunity to work directly with the founder of the practice’s Sustainability Division, a recognised leader in the industry. This role offers the chance to influence some of the most ambitious sustainability initiatives in the built environment today.

What We’re Looking For

Essential Skills & Qualifications:

• Proven experience in a sustainability-focussed role within an architectural practice, sustainability consultancy, or related field in the built environment.
• Passion for low-carbon design, regenerative principles, and sustainable heritage.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to influence, collaborate, and drive change.
• Knowledge of whole life carbon assessments, energy modelling, and circular economy principles.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with experience engaging stakeholders at all levels.
• Ability to work strategically, balancing high-level vision with technical detail.
• Proficiency in data analysis and reporting, using tools such as OneClick LCA and Revit.
• Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Architecture, Engineering, Sustainability, Environmental Science, or a related field.

Desirable Skills:

• Experience working on existing buildings, adaptive re-use, retrofit or heritage projects.
• Familiarity with regulatory frameworks in APAC regions.
• Knowledge of post-occupancy evaluation methodologies.
• Engagement with cross-industry sustainability groups such as LETI, UKGBC, and ACAN.

Benefits/Package:

• Profit share and bonus scheme
• Hybrid working (2 days WFH)
• Flexible working hours
• 25 days annual leave increasing with long service
• Life assurance
• Study sponsorship with paid study leave
• Sabbaticals
• Employee assistance programme
• Season ticket loans
• Cycle to work scheme
• Virtual GP service
• Subscription fees
• Company day out
• Volunteering scheme
• Enhanced learning & development opportunities.

Candidates with notice period up to 3 months will be considered, however, an immediate start can also be offered to candidates available to start sooner.

To apply for this Senior Sustainability Lead role, apply via LinkedIn or email Ryan - [e-mail] including job reference '12502 - Senior Sustainability Lead'