Job Title: Senior/Principal Sustainability Consultant (LCA)
Salary: £45,000-£60,000 (dependent on experience, plus bonus)
Based: Manchester city centre office with flexible home-working (WFH 4 days/week)
Start date: February-April 2025
How to apply: instructions are at the bottom of the JD. Unfortunately we are unable to offer visa sponsorship currently, so only apply if you are eligible to work in the UK for at least 2 more years.
About the role
Are you looking for a meaningful role where you have a positive impact and make a genuine difference? We are now looking for an ambitious Senior or Principal Sustainability Consultant to help us build our LCA offering and upskill and grow our sustainability team. This is an exciting opportunity to take a leading role in a small but fast-growing organisation, with space for significant career progression.
In this position you will work closely with the Head of Impact & Sustainability, as well as colleagues in marketing and sales, to develop and launch new offerings such as Product Carbon Footprinting (PCF), Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), and Environmental Product Declarations (EPD). We’re seeing large demand from our existing clients and have projects ready to go across products such as food & drink, medical equipment, furniture, PPE equipment, apparel, and electricals! You will be keen to share your knowledge and upskill the existing team to enable further business growth.
Depending on client requirements and LCA demand, you may also be involved in delivering our existing support such as business carbon footprints, Carbon Reduction Plans and Net Zero strategies, and reporting to SBTi, CBAM, SECR, CDP, EcoVadis, PPN 06/21. Leading on further service development is possible too if you possess additional sustainability expertise such as BCorp, nature & biodiversity, or social value. Following sufficient growth in new service lines (LCA primarily), you will have the opportunity to recruit and grow your own team, offering significant career progression.
You will be..
- Leading the development of our product footprinting portfolio including PCF and LCA primarily, but eventually expanding to e.g. EPDs, sustainable product design and circularity consultancy.
- Upskilling and supporting the growth of the sustainability team, fostering professional development and expertise within the team.
- Identifying skills gaps, training and recruitment opportunities alongside the Head of Impact & Sustainability.
- Tracking and analysing market trends to identify new product and service opportunities.
- Delivering product footprinting projects to existing and new clients.
- Supporting projects across our broader Net Zero offering if/when required.
- Working for a fun, purpose driven, fast growth start-up.
What we're looking for in you
We're looking for someone with a passion for sustainability and an entrepreneurial drive, to help build our product offering and upskill our team.
- 4+ years of experience working as a sustainability consultant.
- Proven experience leading and inspiring a team.
- Experience measuring Scope 1, 2 & 3 carbon emissions, including all downstream Scope 3, across a range of industries and sizes of organisations using the GHG Protocol and ISO 14064 standards.
- In-depth expertise delivering product LCAs, PCFs, and EPDs. Used the PEF (Product Environmental Footprint) methodology and aligned reporting to ISO14040/14044.
- Experience using LCA software such as OpenLCA, Simapro, or Gabi Sphera.
- A strong sustainability network and the initiative to keep up-to-date with the latest legislation and industry best practice, to ensure our offerings match market demand and deliver great value to our clients.
- The ability to work within a flexible and entrepreneurial environment, and the ambition to support the ongoing growth in our products and people.
- Excellent client engagement and presentation skills.
These are nice to have, but not critical:
- A degree, or similar qualification/experience, in a related subject such as sustainability, environmental science, geography, or a data-driven technical field.
- Additional experience in any of the following (or alternatives): supply chain engagement, ESG, CSRD, TCFD, CSRDDD, CBAM, PCAF, SBTi, SBTN, TNFD, SDGs, EcoVadis, CDP, PAS2050/2060, ESOS, BCorp, social value, PPN 06/21
- Industry-specific experience in key growth areas for Positive Planet including manufacturing, construction, finance, and healthcare.
- Carbon Literacy certified.
We look for the following attributes in every person who joins our team:
- A genuine interest in other people and a natural curiosity to ask questions and find out more.
- A people person who can build strong relationships with colleagues and clients.
- High levels of enthusiasm and determination to succeed.
- A passion for sustainability and a desire to have a positive impact.
- Will contribute positively to making Positive Planet better for your colleagues and our clients.
- You have an entrepreneurial mindset, sense of responsibility and willingness to take initiative.
- Your English language skills (written and verbal) are at a native level.
About us
Positive Planet is a fast-growing and purpose-driven organisation, based in Manchester but driving climate action across the UK and globally. We help businesses and organisations to measure, understand and reduce their carbon emissions, and work collaboratively with clients on a journey towards Net Zero. Our focus is on amplifying impact via employee, supplier and stakeholder engagement and training.
We combine ethical values with a modern, forward-thinking approach to business, to help create a more inclusive and sustainable future. Every employee has the opportunity to become a partner and share in the success of the company. Relationships are key to our success; be that with each other or our clients and our aim is to build positive, memorable interactions that inspire the businesses we interact with to embrace more sustainable business practices.
Why you should join our team
Positive Planet is motivated by making a positive difference, we intend to reduce UK business carbon emissions by more than 3% over the next 5 years and in the process create a great business that also improves lives. We’re passionate about creating a company where people can build great careers and engage in meaningful work.
We value transparency and open communication and maintain a casual and easy-going work environment. We do not believe in hierarchy but rather in empowerment and individual responsibility to take leadership opportunities.
Climate change is a complex issue and therefore this is a demanding work environment but at the same time, we offer exceptional career growth and a tangible opportunity to make an impact every day. Join us and you will receive extensive guidance and support, and have excellent options for further personal development.
As much as we are passionate about climate action, we are also determined to create an inclusive workplace that values diversity and equality. We believe that diversity adds genuine value to Positive Planet and our mission to improve lives on our planet today and in the future. We strive to create an environment where anyone, from any background, can do their best work. We are all unique, so we give equal opportunities to all applicants who we judge on skills, strengths and suitability without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or age.
What are the benefits of working at Positive Planet?
- Full-time permanent contract.
- Awesome offices in central Manchester.
- Flexible, home working encouraged.
- Opportunity to progress to Partner status with company shares.
- 25-days holiday per annum, rising 1 day per year of service up to 30 days.
- An additional day’s paid leave to do something positive for the planet, or someone else in need.
- An additional day’s paid leave to celebrate your birthday!
- Cycle to work scheme.
- Green, ethical pensions scheme.
- Quarterly in-person team socials.
- A flexible environment to start your own initiatives and develop your new ideas.
- We are a compassionate and progressive company. We offer enhanced employment policies including paid Wellbeing Days, and Enhanced New Parent Leave (maternity & paternity).
- Become Carbon Literate via our certified training course (if not already certified).
How to apply
If you think this job sounds exciting we would love to hear from you.
Please send your CV and an email introduction/cover letter to bryony@positiveplanet.uk, with subject line Application for Senior/Principal Sustainability Consultant (LCA). Your application may be missed otherwise.
The final deadline for submitting an application is Sunday 2nd February at midnight, however we may close applications sooner if the right candidate is found (interviews to be held on a rolling basis). Unfortunately we may not be able to respond to everyone so if you don’t hear from us before Friday 28th February you have not been successful.
