We are supporting an established international environmental and sustainability advisory firm to appoint senior hires (Director and Principal level) into its Project Finance practice.
These roles focus on lender-, investor- and developer-led mandates, leading ESIA / ESDD and related due diligence that directly supports financing and investment decisions on complex international projects.
This is not a general ESG strategy or reporting role, and not a UK planning/ecology-led EIA position. The core requirement is lender-facing, transaction-linked ESIA/ESDD delivery.
Why this matters
You will help shape how capital is deployed responsibly by identifying and managing environmental and social risks, improving outcomes for communities and ecosystems, and ensuring projects meet lender requirements and international standards in real-world conditions.
Core Responsibilities (Principal and Director)
* Lead delivery of ESIA / ESDD within live Project Finance / transaction contexts
* Operate as senior interface with commercial banks, DFIs, investors, funds and developers
* Apply lender frameworks and standards in practice (e.g., IFC Performance Standards, Equator Principles)
* Manage scope, budgets, timelines and quality across complex international mandates
* Mentor teams and support consistent delivery standards
* Contribute to scoping, proposals and technical leadership for new mandates
Additional Accountabilities (Director level)
* Ownership of key client relationships and senior stakeholder management
* Oversight across multiple mandates and teams; accountability for delivery performance
* Contribution to growth of the Project Finance offering (pipeline, partnerships, team build)
Essential Experience (non-negotiable)
* You have led lender-facing ESIA / ESDD in Project Finance or investor/lender-led environments (not only supported)
* Direct experience advising or working with lenders, investors and/or developers on transaction-linked mandates
* Meaningful international delivery experience (outside UK domestic planning context)
* Strong applied knowledge of IFC PS / Equator Principles (and ability to evidence where/how used)
* Senior client-facing credibility and calm judgement under transaction pressure
* Commercial awareness: scoping, budgets, margins, delivery planning
Unlikely to be a fit if your background is mainly
* UK planning EIA without project finance exposure
* Ecology-led roles where lender accountability is limited
* ESG reporting/policy/framework roles without transaction-linked ESIA/ESDD delivery
Benefits (highlights)
* 25 days holiday + bank holidays + 3 days Christmas shutdown
* Discretionary bonus and spot bonuses
* Flexible working, including working from abroad and flexible Fridays
* Medical cash plan, £1,000 annual training budget, professional membership support
* Volunteering day, enhanced leave, sabbatical after 4+ years, time-out allowance
How to apply
If this role aligns with your experience and interests, please submit your CV or LinkedIn profile to Kris Kobi, Director at Climate17, at kris@climate17.com.
All enquiries and applications will be handled confidentially. The client name and further details will be shared at conversation stage.