Partner, Low Carbon Energy and Infrastructure Consenting

Introduction

ERM, a global leader in sustainability consulting, is seeking a dynamic UK-based Partner to grow our low carbon energy consenting services. The successful candidate will have proven expertise in delivering Environmental Impact Assessments and consents for low carbon energy systems (renewables, hydrogen generation, storage and transmission and distribution, carbon capture and storage) in England, Scotland and Wales. This experience will ideally be in the context of the full asset life cycle from concept through financing, consenting, construction, O&M and decommissioning / repurposing.

The appointee will join the Capital Project Delivery (CPD) team (250 staff including over 15 Partners) which focusses on consenting and financing assets across on- and offshore energy generation, storage and transmission, industrial decarbonization (hydrogen, carbon capture and storage), mining and metals, technology (data centres and marine cables). CPD is one of seven interrelated teams that collectively provide ERM’s market leading range of sustainability services. CPD comprises c. 25% of ERM’s global workforce of 7,000.

Accountable for

As a Partner at ERM, you will be instrumental in driving our strategic direction and commercial growth and in the UK. Leveraging your extensive client relationships with major energy clients (primarily developers and investors) and your deep understanding of the low carbon energy transition, you will develop and expand trusted client relationships, generate new business, and lead multi-disciplinary teams to deliver high-impact sustainability-led solutions. These responsibilities reflect the dual commitments of driving growth and providing governance in project delivery.

You will have targets for personal sales, billability (c. 30% expected), pipeline growth, profitability and cash collection on the projects that you lead. There will be the opportunity to lead Diversified Energy Industry growth within CPD. This will involve coordinating the efforts of several other Partners and senior sellers focusing on hydrogen, CCS and decarbonisation of oil & gas industry activities. 

You will contribute to

• Staying ahead of industry trends and regulatory developments in the UK and European energy transition landscape, sharing insights with our team (to shape strategic direction) and clients to deepen trusted relationships.
• Development and implementation of CPD strategy and growth initiatives including a) application of digital innovation to enhance the productivity and efficiency of service delivery, and b) working with other Teams and Partners to bring the ‘Major Capital Projects’ journey to life so that ERM sells effectively over the whole asset life cycle.
• Development and promulgation of evolving EIA / Environmental Outcome Report (EOR) consenting best practice within CPD nationally, regionally and globally, as appropriate.
• Achievement of CPD team annual sales target.
• Delivery of winning bids and general continuous improvement of bidding best practice.
• Communication and interaction with CPD colleagues across the team to inspire and drive engagement.
• Representing ERM at industry conferences, seminars, and events to enhance company visibility and reputation.

Influence and Decision Making Authority

The Partner role is highly influential. You will have autonomy to set your direction within the bounds of agreed strategy and governance thresholds, and the accountability for achieving your sales and billability targets alongside the safe, effective and profitable delivery of projects on which you are the Partner in Charge.

Job requirements and capabilities

Qualifications:

BSc / MSc in a relevant field. RTPI advantageous.

At least 15 years of experience in professional consulting, especially in client development and sustainable digital solutions.

Job specific capabilities/skills:

• Deep expertise in EIA as applied to UK major infrastructure consenting regimes. This includes Town & Country Planning Act (TCPA) equivalents nationally, Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIP) in England, Infrastructure Consent Orders (ICO) in Wales and the equivalent in Scotland. The successful candidate will also have good awareness of the emerging Environmental Outcomes Report (EOR) regime and related changes to major infrastructure consenting processes.
• Well established in the low carbon energy industry with a demonstrable professional network including both clients and peers.
• Proven track record of driving multi-million-dollar bids and projects through strong client relationships and innovative digital strategies.
• Innovative leader with a passion for building connections and a commitment to overcoming client challenges.
• Influencing skills and strong relationship building and teaming across the matrix is a critical success factor for the role.
• Deep understanding of typical EIA and major infrastructure consenting activities covered by the CPD service line (SL), the clients ERM serves, the value chain, competitors, with strong point of view on how sustainability issues interface with the commercial context, client objectives and imperatives.
• A proactive style, reaching out to your ERM and client network, driving client co-creation, enabling regional account management teams to orchestrate groups of cross-SL experts to align to industry and client priorities/needs.
• High business acumen with a focus on understanding client risks and challenges.
• Experience of, and ideas for how to, productively embed digital innovation in the consenting process.
• Exemplary leadership skills in managing diverse teams and collaborating across the matrix to foster engagement and growth.

Location

You will be based in one of ERM’s UK hub locations of London, Manchester, Cardiff and Edinburgh.

The Partnership 

This is a Partner opportunity. Our partnership model is a significant differentiator for ERM in that it presents an almost unique opportunity for leading consultants in a truly global firm to own and contribute to the direction and success of the company. Our partnership model offers unparalleled opportunities for leaders with ambition, vision, and proven expertise, providing meaningful equity ownership with significant financial and intangible rewards.