Senior Associate - Sustainability Role

Senior Associate - Sustainability Role

Bristol or Cardiff

Important: the job title “Senior Associate” at Hoare Lea refers to a senior-level position (not an entry-level role); please check the role description for responsibility and seniority.

About us

Hoare Lea is an award-winning engineering consultancy with a creative team of engineers, designers, and technical specialists. We provide innovative solutions to complex engineering and design challenges for buildings.

We are as committed to providing an environment where everyone can realise their unique potential. So, in joining Hoare Lea, you will experience a business that enriches your knowledge, supports your wellbeing, and welcomes your individuality. You’ll have the opportunity to participate in our 9-day fortnight scheme, thriving community groups, varied social and networking events, and extensive professional and technical development schemes. We also offer an extensive benefits package, including private medical cover, electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme, stock options, and up to 30 days of annual leave.

Whatever your ambitions or circumstances, our aim is to enable everyone to develop their knowledge, give their best, and enjoy what they do.

We take personal responsibility to achieve a shared vision, combining strong relationships with technical excellence. When we embark on a project journey, we are making a commitment to the client and to each other.

We are committed to demonstrating how positively balancing human-centric design with planet-conscious solutions is the ultimate measure of success through our North Star vision.

Our clients are industry leading, always striving to achieve the best and to push the boundaries of sustainability. We work on a wide range of projects in most sectors. For example, with a focus on human-centred, environmentally sustainable design, Hoare Lea delivered the world’s first workplace fit-out to achieve both BREEAM Outstanding and WELL Certified Gold (One New St Square).

Our DfP pioneer project (Timber Square) became the UK’s first NABERSUK Design for Performance project to achieve a 5* design reviewed target rating.

At Hoare Lea you’ll have the opportunity to not just work on exciting projects such as these, but to also engage with the industry. Hoare Lea regularly collaborate with UKGBC, CIBSE and were one of the first to sign up to support the Building Services Engineers Declare initiative.

You’ll be part of progressive and exciting projects, able to experience innovative schemes and gain knowledge across all sectors. With a structured Career Paths Framework, you’ll have a clear understanding of the pathway for advancing your career.

About the role

A fantastic career opportunity has arisen for a creative and driven Senior Associate Sustainability Consultant to join our Sustainability Group. The role is could be based in our Bristol or Cardiff office and will be part of our broader Sustainability Discipline group which has a presence in every Hoare Lea office across the country. Working alongside a range of specialist engineers and consultants, you will be joining a collaborative, knowledgeable, highly engaged team who love what they do, and offer a supportive, flexible, and high performing work culture.

Role expectations

• Take ownership and deliver large scale projects with industry leading clients – Experience working in the London and Bristol markets preferred
• Monitoring project expenditure and reporting to team leader
• Actively contributes to sharing technical knowledge across the firm
• Effectively reports and openly communicates at all levels internally and externally.
• Contribute to finding new opportunities for business growth and negotiate scope of Hoare Lea services and fee levels.
• Actively participate in regional work-winning initiatives and contribute to senior engagement in recognised industry organisations
• Takes responsibility for achieving design objectives
• Manage and motivate colleagues within the HL team.
• Reporting cost and resource requirements to the team leader on a regular basis.
• Contribute to the development of junior team members.
• Effectively delegate, manage and review work undertaken by others.
• Support in production of fee proposals and invoicing.
• Lead workshops with the client and design team and communicate information in a clear and concise manor.
• Undertaking a range of modelling and analysis, which may include but not limited to: embodied carbon of materials, circular economy opportunities, building performance simulation, operational energy use, energy generation, overheating.
• Lead the development of sustainability and energy strategies.
• Lead the delivery of environmental assessments (such as BREEAM, WELL, HQM, etc) from early design stages through to completion.
• Supporting the drive towards realising net zero whole life carbon in our projects.
• Working with other members of the Sustainability Group on research and development initiatives to allow us to stay at the cutting edge of knowledge in our industry.
• As well as project-related work, the Group engages directly with industry undertaking research and development studies, and authoring industry guidance. The role also presents the opportunity for involvement in this aspect of the Group’s work to those keen to have a direct influence on the industry.

About you.

Project delivery and technical expertise

You will have detailed knowledge, competence and qualifications in a selection of the following fields. It is not expected that applicants will have expertise in all of the below topics. Applicants will be expected to have focus areas and detailed knowledge within them and should demonstrate a willingness to gain expertise in other topic areas.

Core competencies

• Energy strategies
• Building Regulations Part L assessments using Elmhurst and IES
• BREEAM and HQM assessments
• Bespoke sustainability charters
• Production of planning documents including sustainability statements, energy statements, whole life carbon reports and circular economy statements
• Circular economy strategies.

Advantageous competencies

• NABERS UK modelling
• In-Use energy modelling and assessment
• Dynamic modelling for thermal comfort assessments and overheating risk assessments
• Health and wellbeing strategies and certification
• Net zero carbon strategies and embodied carbon calculations

To be successful in this role you’ll need:

• Experience working within sustainability consultancy, you will be looking for a new challenge within a practice at the very forefront of our field.
• Qualified and recognized in industry preferably with Chartered status
• You will bring expertise a passion for creating sustainable solutions.
• You will be confident in leading sustainability workshops with design teams.
• You will relish being part of dynamic team within a progressive and well-respected firm.
• You will have good communication skills and an enthusiasm for working within a team environment.
• Demonstrable experience working with clients / contractors / architects in a design oriented / consultant role.
• Excellent organisational and planning skills to effectively work to timescales and deadlines for multiple projects at one time.
• Self-awareness, an open mind, and a spirit of generosity
• Experience of supporting others to develop knowledge, skills, and confidence.
• Develop effective client and fellow professional relationships for future business growth.
• Show commitment to personal and continuing professional development.
• Actively contributes to the wider engineering and construction industry.

How to apply

To apply simply complete a CV profile and submit your application, or for further information please contact

If shortlisted, one of our recruitment team will be in touch to arrange an introductory call (about 30 minutes) to discuss the role and your experience in more detail. From there, successful candidates will be invited to attend a panel interview, either via Microsoft Teams or in person at one of our offices.

Adjustments and accommodations

If there are adjustments or accommodations that we can put in place to help you participate and give your best at any stage of the recruitment process (whether relating to disability, neurodivergence or anything else) please let us know.

Data privacy

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Recruitment agencies

We have a Preferred Supplier List of trusted partners who assist us when required. We do not acknowledge speculative CVs or unsolicited candidate introductions from agencies not on the list.