Principal Consultant, ESG
We have an opportunity for a Principal Consultant to lead our ESG practice and to work with an amazing team of like-minded humans to generate a major and positive influence on the world.
About Edge Impact
At Edge Impact, we’re a team of passionate, collaborative, experienced sustainability experts who work with leading multi-national businesses across a wide range of industries to pursue the critical shared vision where unsustainable is unthinkable.
As an Edger, you'll work alongside an amazing team of like-minded people to generate major positive influence on the world. Edge is also part of the RSK Group, a global leader in delivering sustainable solutions through environmental, engineering, and technical services, giving us the ability to create impact at scale.
The Role and Why You'll Love Working With Us
We are seeking a seasoned and strategic ESG Principal to join our team. In this senior leadership role, you will work directly with a diverse portfolio of clients, including listed companies, private businesses, government entities, and investors, to shape and implement ESG strategies that deliver both commercial value and lasting impact.
As ESG Principal, you will be responsible for leading client engagements, managing multidisciplinary project teams, contributing to business growth, and shaping our firm’s position on ESG thought leadership and innovation. You will also manage a team of consultants and ensure they are supported to achieve their goals.
Key Responsibilities:
Client Leadership
- Lead high-impact ESG engagements across strategy, disclosure, risk, and transformation.
- Serve as a trusted advisor to C-suite and Boards on ESG risks, opportunities, and emerging trends.
- Translate complex ESG and sustainability challenges into clear, actionable insights and plans for clients.
Strategy & Delivery
- Design and deliver ESG strategies aligned with materiality, stakeholder expectations, regulatory requirements, and business goals.
- Oversee client projects covering ESG integration, climate transition plans, sustainability reporting, responsible supply chains, human rights, and impact measurement.
- Ensure excellence in project delivery, including scoping, timelines, budgets, and outcomes.
Business Growth
- Drive business development through proposal development, relationship building, and identifying new opportunities with existing and prospective clients.
- Represent the firm at industry events and build visibility through thought leadership, publications, and forums.
- Contribute to the development and evolution of our ESG service offerings.
Team & Capability Building
- Lead and manage mid and junior level ESG team members
- Work alongside fellow Principals on ESG business unit Lead Team
- Lead and mentor project teams, supporting technical development and consulting capability in ESG.
- Build internal knowledge, tools, and methodologies to strengthen delivery and innovation.
- Foster a collaborative and inclusive culture aligned with our values and purpose.
To be considered, key experience includes:
Qualifications and Experience:
- 10+ years of experience in ESG, sustainability, responsible business, or risk, with at least 3 years in a consulting or advisory capacity
- Must have high proficiency in GRI 3, ISSB (Sustainability and climate related (S1 and S2) disclosure), AASB S1 & S2, SASB
- Strong track record of leading ESG projects across sectors, with deep expertise in one or more ESG domains (e.g., climate, human rights, sustainability reporting, governance, impact).
- A commercial mindset with experience scoping and delivering complex client engagements.
- Experienced in engaging C-Suite and fluent in engaging Boards
- Integrating sustainability into core business strategy and functions
- In-house and consulting experience are both valuable
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including comfort presenting to executives and boards.
- Strong project and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and balance competing priorities.
- Valuable but not essential CSRD, UN SDGs, UNGC, TNFD, SBTi, B Corp
The Rewards and Culture
As a new team member of this global consultancy, you will join a purpose-driven community, working alongside passionate experts to create a lasting, positive influence on the world. You will be joining 60+ specialists from 20 nationalities, working across five global offices, each contributing unique experiences, perspectives, and stories.
Other key benefits include:
Making a Real Impact – Work with a certified B Corp where purpose meets commercial success, driving meaningful change for a sustainable future.
Working Your Way – Enjoy true flexibility, giving you the freedom to balance your career, wellbeing, and personal life.
Professional Development – Invest in your future with tailored learning and development programmes designed to help you thrive.
More Time to Recharge – Take advantage of an additional week of annual leave every year to rest, recharge, and do what you love.
Thriving in a Purpose-Driven Culture – Join a supportive, passionate team dedicated to making a difference and shaping a better future.
At Edge, we believe the best solutions come from bringing together the best minds and a broad range of perspectives. These diverse minds and perspectives are critical to helping solve the environmental, social, and economic challenges society faces. We deeply care about creating a workplace where our team members feel valued, respected, and empowered, and are committed to providing equal opportunity regardless of gender identity, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, or life stage.
Applications close on 25 July 2025.
- Team
- ANZ Advisory
- Role
- Principal Consultant
- Locations
- Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide
- Remote status
- Hybrid
- Employment type
- Full-time

About Edge Impact
Edge Impact is an award-winning global sustainability consultancy. For over 15 years we have empowered organisations to be impact-focused, resilient and future-ready.
We combine science, strategy and storytelling to help business, government and industry leaders achieve extraordinary environmental and social outcomes.
Our team of 70+ experts deliver unrivalled expertise across the complete ESG lifecycle. From our hubs in Australia, New Zealand, and South America, we empower our clients to achieve authentic and practical sustainable transformation. Beyond advice, we work alongside your team to build capability and make sustainability instinctive - creating change that endures.
As a certified B Corporation, we hold ourselves to the highest standards of environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and transparent accountability. Because the future of business and the future of our planet are inextricably linked.
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