Principal Consultant- Political and Stakeholder Strategy (Mid-Senior Level)

ERM is seeking a Principal Consultant to join our team of political and stakeholder strategy consultants.Are you interested in political risk, geopolitical issues, sustainability & corporate responsibility?Are you entrepreneurial and analytical, and do you take pride in the quality of your work?We are seeking a high-calibre Principal Consultant to join our dynamic, globally influential companyAbout ERM and the Team As the largest global pure play sustainability consultancy, we partner with the world’s leading organizations, creating innovative solutions to sustainability challenges and unlocking commercial opportunities that meet the needs of today while preserving opportunity for future generations.At ERM we know that creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive work environment is an essential part of making our company a great place to build a career. We also see our diversity as a strength that helps us create better solutions for our clients. Our diverse team of world-class experts supports clients across the breadth of their organizations to operationalize sustainability, underpinned by our deep technical expertise in addressing their environmental, health, safety, risk and social issues. We call this capability our “boots to boardroom” approach for its comprehensive service model that allows ERM to develop strategic and technical solutions that advance objectives on the ground or at the executive level.The team hiring for this role specialises in advising top-level executives on stakeholder, (geo)political, and ESG issues with strategic implications. We advise some of the world’s largest companies and engage with international stakeholders at the most senior levels. We believe the future’s most successful energy and resource firms will be those that manage these risks better than their competitors.We have two main goals: to provide authoritative, independent analysis on such issues; and to assist clients to manage them in a strategic, far-sighted and responsible way.Our core team brings together high-level experience working for The Economist, McKinsey, the OECD, Chatham House and a number of major energy and resource firms. Our network of senior advisors spans over 75 countries and includes former senior executives in global companies, former ambassadors, government ministers, civil society leaders and other leading opinion formers.Core responsibilitiesWe are looking for a Principal level hire to join the growing team of political and stakeholder strategy specialists, with a focus on leading client assignments for energy and resource companies.Our projects fall into two broad categories: (1) working with clients to assess and manage political and stakeholder issues facing their assets, and (2) developing corporate sustainability strategies. This would include both guiding the development of independent assessments of these issues for clients, and also designing practical interventions to help them responsibly tackle key challenges around their assets (e.g. through stakeholder engagement, community programmes and other best practice initiatives). The work would involve coordinating the input of our global network of advisers, overseeing and managing research processes, and delivering high quality outputs and engagement.Helping to drive our growth strategy on asset level ‘license to operate’ issues and corporate sustainability by building and maintaining client relationships, identifying new business opportunities, credibly communicating our capabilities to potential clients and ultimately helping to secure new contracts.Contributing to our intellectual capital and external credibility in this area including through publications and thought leadership articles, and where relevant, conference presentations.Working with other ERM teams on client projects, as appropriate dependent on skillset and availability.Managing and developing junior colleagues.Skills/QualificationsSignificant relevant work experience, with a good understanding of political, stakeholder or sustainability issues facing resource or energy assets and/or corporate sustainability issues, whether gained through in house experience within a resource or energy company (at the operational or group level), or alternatively through experience in political risk consulting, investor/financial institutions, academia, think tanks, civil society organisations, management consulting, law, development work, the diplomatic service, etcA strong academic recordExcellent writing ability in English and strong communication skillsA high level of proficiency in French or Spanish is desirable (other languages may also be considered).Understanding of global business trends, political/international issues; direct experience of the energy and resource industries and sustainability issues is beneficialProven ability to manage projects successfully, under tight deadlines and within budgetsProven ability to build strong client and stakeholder relationshipsExperience of people management and working at senior levels within an organisation is desirableGood IT skills, including familiarity with MS OfficePersonal attributesA highly diligent and thorough work ethicStrong analytical and research skills, ability to quickly grasp and dissect complex issuesEntrepreneurial and energetic with an appetite for business developmentPersonable character and a good team playerHigh ethical integrity and commitment to confidentialityProfessional approach, reliability and ability to meet tight deadlinesThis is an exciting opportunity for anyone who wants to further strengthen their experience and reputation in the sustainability and sociopolitical fields, in an environment which values excellence and entrepreneurship, and which is highly supportive of employees’ professional development.Time & availability requiredPermanent, full time position, starting as soon as possible. Some international travel may be required.Our team is based in London, but we are open to considering candidates from other locations.We aim to build an inclusive culture by identifying, acquiring, developing and retaining a highly skilled and high performing workforce which reflects the diverse global marketplace in which we operate, regardless of gender, ethnicity, religious preference, sexual orientation, physical attributes, educational background.ERM care about our people, their safety and career development as well as their well-beings. We offer all our employees a diverse and inclusive culture in which difference is embraced, valued and celebrated. We offer flexible working environment to accommodate our personal needs. Our people are respectful and open-minded and enjoy collaboration with colleagues across services lines and geographies.  With a robust career framework in place, ERM is able to offer great opportunities for both early career and experienced professionals to advance their career within the business. Structured training around project management, core consulting skills development amongst other topics are offered to support our colleagues’ professional development as we continue to grow our team.  You will also be able to join our Global Technical Communities where likeminded professionals come together globally to innovate, network and share knowledge and expertise through internal workshops and webinars. To applyIf you share our value and are interested in this role, please send the following:Your CV on no more than 2 pages.Your answer to the following two question. The total word count for both answers should be no more than 400 words. We are looking for well-written and persuasive answers that demonstrate clarity of thought rather than any deep research.Why are you interested in this role and what would make you a suitable candidate?What role should the natural resources industries usefully play in society?#LI-SD1#LI-HybridSummaryLocation: London, United Kingdom; United Kingdom - Multiple LocationsType: Full time