Principal Consultant, Climate Change

About the position The Principal Consultant, Climate Change & Sustainability Disclosure will advise influential organizations on climate disclosure, assurance readiness, greenhouse gas accounting, and decarbonization strategy. The role supports clients responding to frameworks and regulations including ISSB/IFRS S2, CSRD/ESRS, California SB 253 and SB 261, CDP, and TCFD, while helping build credible, assurance-ready climate programs. This position combines senior technical leadership with client, commercial, team, and solution-development responsibilities. The consultant will shape executive decisions, lead complex engagements, develop scalable methodologies and digital solutions, mentor climate professionals, and contribute to ERM’s market presence and growth. The role is based in Boston, Manhattan, Philadelphia, or Washington, DC, in a hybrid work environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead GHG inventories under the GHG Protocol and ISO 14064-1 across Scopes 1, 2, and 3, including Scope 3 screening and PCAF financed emissions.
• Advise on target setting, including SBTi, and develop decarbonization pathways and emissions abatement analyses.
• Guide clients through ISSB/IFRS S2, CSRD/ESRS, CDP, TCFD, and U.S. state disclosure requirements, including California SB 253 and SB 261.
• Lead assurance-readiness and pre-assurance work, including reporting criteria, controls, evidence, and methodology, process, and data gap assessments for limited or reasonable assurance.
• Perform quantitative analyses using Excel-based and bespoke models and ERM digital emissions platforms; act as a GHG subject matter expert.
• Direct independent technical reviews of deliverables and coach colleagues to produce high-quality, defensible outputs.
• Design standardized, scalable offerings, methodologies, templates, and toolkits for climate and disclosure engagements.
• Productize assurance-readiness and GHG data services, including Scope 1 and 2 data vouching and recalculation.
• Use ERM global delivery centers and hybrid delivery models, with clear quality review and escalation protocols.
• Contribute to ERM digital tool development, including methodology alignment and user acceptance testing.
• Lead multiple simultaneous engagements through scoping, proposals, contracting, budgeting, and delivery.
• Build client relationships and manage stakeholders across sustainability, finance, and executive leadership; co-develop value-driven solutions and influence decision-makers.
• Deliver executive communications and education, including on Scope 3 and assurance expectations.
• Be accountable for personal billability, revenue contribution targets, and engagement financial performance.
• Line manage direct reports, including performance management and career development; mentor junior and mid-level staff and support practice capability and knowledge transfer.
• Lead multidisciplinary and cross-border teams, including colleagues in ERM global delivery centers.
• Identify opportunities and lead proposals, pitches, and business development campaigns; support commercial strategies and sales goals.
• Collaborate across Corporate Sustainability Advisory, Transactions, and Digital Services, and cross-sell services such as air quality, environmental compliance, and ESG due diligence.
• Monitor regulatory and market developments and contribute to ERM thought leadership.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in environmental science, atmospheric science, engineering, energy policy, economics, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• At least 6 years of experience in climate and sustainability consulting, assurance, industry, or government.
• Deep expertise in the GHG Protocol and ISO 14064-1 across Scopes 1, 2, and 3.
• Hands-on experience with ISSB/IFRS S2, CSRD/ESRS, CDP, and TCFD.
• Experience in sustainability assurance or assurance readiness.
• Track record building scalable solutions and operating models, including global or offshore delivery.
• Demonstrated commercial ownership, including managing an approximately \$1M+ annual project portfolio and contributing to sales.
• Line management experience of 5+ staff and commitment to others’ professional development.
• Structured, effective communication skills, including shaping and delivering messages at executive level.
• High-level proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.
• Positive outlook, collaborative mindset, and commitment to ERM’s success as a global company.

Nice-to-haves

• 10+ years of experience in climate and sustainability consulting, assurance, industry, or government.
• Master's degree in environmental science, atmospheric science, engineering, energy policy, economics, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Sustainability assurance or assurance-readiness experience within a Big 4 firm or verification body.
• PCAF or financed emissions experience.
• Environmental compliance or air quality permitting experience.
• Sector experience in energy and utilities, financial services and asset management, industrial and manufacturing, transportation, consumer products, technology, or life sciences.

Benefits

• Paid time off, including vacation, sick, and floating holidays.
• Parental leave.
• Medical insurance.
• Dental insurance.
• Vision insurance.
• Life insurance.
• Disability insurance.
• AD&D insurance.
• 401(k).
• Other applicable benefits for eligible employees.
• The role may be eligible for bonus pay, subject to ERM discretion and policies.