Location
Bristol or Cardiff offices

Hours
Full Time

Salary
Negotiable

About the Role
A fantastic career opportunity has arisen for a creative and driven Principal Sustainability Consultant to join the Sustainability discipline in our Southwest Business Unit. This role is based in either our Cardiff or Bristol offices and forms part of a broader Sustainability discipline present across all Hoare Lea offices nationwide. You will act as Discipline Project Lead for medium to large scale projects at all RIBA stages, including delivery of documents supporting outline and detailed planning submissions. Responsibilities include acting as Workstream Lead, developing and coordinating resource and project plans, leading client and design team workshops, delegating and reviewing work, and undertaking detailed analyses such as energy performance simulations, BREEAM and other environmental certifications, energy strategies, whole life carbon assessments, and net zero carbon initiatives. You will also support in-house Technical Excellence communities to advance firm knowledge and mentor junior team members in consultancy and project delivery. This role offers the chance to grow your career and influence industry approaches within sustainability consultancy.

About Hoare Lea
Hoare Lea is a human-centric and planet-conscious engineering consultancy offering intelligent and sustainable solutions to complex design challenges for the built environment across the UK and beyond. Our services include sustainability, acoustics, air quality, building services (MEP), fire, lighting, and security. We pride ourselves on outstanding design and operational excellence that meets community needs. We foster an environment where individuals can realise their potential, supported by initiatives such as a 9-day fortnight scheme, community groups, social and networking events, and extensive professional development. Our benefits package includes private medical cover, electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme, stock options, and up to 30 days annual leave. We are committed to enabling everyone to develop their knowledge, give their best, and enjoy their work.

Why Work for Us
Hoare Lea is an award-winning consultancy with a creative team of engineers, designers, and technical specialists delivering innovative solutions to complex engineering challenges. We were early adopters of Design for Performance and have delivered pioneering projects such as the UK’s first NABERSUK Design for Performance project and the world’s first workplace fit-out to achieve both BREEAM Outstanding and WELL Certified Gold. Our clients are industry leaders pushing sustainability boundaries. We actively collaborate with UKGBC, CIBSE, and support the Building Services Engineers Declare initiative. You will work on progressive projects, gain cross-sector knowledge, and follow a structured Career Paths Framework for clear career advancement.

Experience
- Detailed knowledge and competence in energy and building performance consultancy, including advanced simulation capabilities (Building Regulations Part L using Elmhurst and IES, Part O assessments, thermal comfort assessments)
- Proven project leadership experience including resource planning
- Experience in training and mentoring junior team members
- Experience completing environmental and wellbeing assessments such as BREEAM, Home Quality Mark, and WELL Building Standard
- Whole life carbon assessments experience, including use of platforms such as OneClick LCA
- Experience delivering successful planning applications and collaborating with local authorities; experience in local and London markets advantageous

Advantageous Competencies
- Operational energy assessment experience (e.g. CIBSE TM54 using ApacheSim/ApacheHVAC, NABERS UK Design for Performance, Passivhaus PHPP)
- Development of holistic sustainable strategies, charters, and implementation plans
- Environmental impact assessment focusing on greenhouse gas emissions and climate change adaptation
- Circular economy statements
- Developing fee proposals
- Line management experience

About You
- Experience working at a principal level within sustainability consultancy, seeking a new challenge at the forefront of the field
- Registered with a professional body and working towards Chartership; full Chartership advantageous
- Degree-qualified in an applicable field with a passion for sustainable solutions
- Confident leading workshops with design teams
- Enjoy working as part of a dynamic team within a progressive and well-respected firm
- Strong communication skills and enthusiasm for teamwork
- Serious commitment to sustainability