Job Description

Principal Consultant - Strategy, Transformation & Reporting

Department: Strat, Trans & Reporting : Advisory

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Australia - Melbourne

The Principal Consultant for the Anthesis Strategy Transformation and Reporting (STaR) team in Australia is a senior, client-facing role responsible for leading complex STAR consulting engagements, managing high-quality project delivery, and providing technical leadership across voluntary and mandatory reporting as well as Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategy topics. Based in any major Australian city, this role requires strong client relationship management, project leadership, people management, and business development capabilities. The Principal Consultant will play a key role in shaping STaR strategy, strengthening governance and reporting practices, and supporting the growth of Anthesis’ STaR services in Australia and the region.

Key Responsibilities

Client & Project Delivery

• Lead the end-to-end delivery of sustainability consulting engagements, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to agreed quality standards.
• Provide senior-level technical oversight, expert input, and quality assurance on deliverables.
• Build and maintain trusted client relationships, acting as a senior advisor on reporting and sustainability strategy, governance, and performance.
• Draft, review, and present high-quality reports, presentations, and workshops in line with agreed project scope and objectives.

Business Development

• Lead the development of proposals related to mandatory and voluntary sustainability reporting, sustainability strategy, materiality assessments, human rights, and other ESG-related topics.
• Support opportunity conversion through client relations, pitch delivery, and senior-level technical input.
• Contribute to the development, refinement, and scaling of STaR service offerings, including delivery tools, growth strategy and tactics, proposal templates, and internal capability-building materials.
• Act as an internal subject-matter expert on several areas of sustainability frameworks, governance, and reporting.
• Contribute to thought leadership, brand development, and marketing content related to our growth strategy.

Organisational & Personal Development

• Manage and mentor senior and junior consultants, supporting performance management, professional development, and career progression.
• Contribute to strategic internal initiatives, proposition development, innovation, and continuous improvement across the STaR practice.
• Actively engage in personal and professional development through the Anthesis Centre of Excellence (ACE) and regular coaching with the line manager.

Skills, Knowledge & Expertise

• A degree/relevant qualification in a related field (sustainability, finance, enterprise risk management, corporate governance, or related disciplines)
• More than 6-years’ experience in various sustainability advisory fundamentals, such as double materiality assessments, sustainability strategy setting, mandatory and voluntary sustainability reporting, human rights, climate risks and opportunities, or others.
• Lead small teams to deliver complex projects aligned with global sustainability frameworks such as GRI, SASB, IR, TCFD, UNGPs, ASRS AASB S1 & S2, IFRS ISSB S1 & S2, ESRS, CSDDD, BCorp, or others. Considering the Australia-location for this role, experience guiding clients to comply with ASRS or ISSB is highly valued.
• Design and implement sustainability governance structures, policies, and management systems to support responsible business practices.
• Present reports that convey key messages, inform strategic decision-making, and enable executive and board-level decisions.
• Support organizations in identifying, assessing, and managing sustainability-related risks and opportunities, including supply chain, social, and governance risks.
• Integrate sustainability considerations into broader corporate strategy and business operations, aligning sustainability objectives with commercial priorities.
• Lead stakeholder engagement activities, including collaboration with senior management, boards, investors, and external stakeholders.
• Provide team leadership and capacity building, including mentoring, technical guidance, and contribution to STAR training initiatives.
• Oversee project budgets and resourcing, ensuring financial discipline and feasibility of STAR initiatives.
• Strong working familiarity with MSOffice Suite is required, with high levels of numeracy and good Excel programming and workbook skills preferred.

What we offer you

• Five weeks paid annual leave.
• Opportunity to be mentored by leading experts in the field in a supportive learning environment.
• Opportunity for travel and get out in the field.
• Best in class employee assistance program (EAP) program for you and your immediate family.
• Flexible working hours and hybrid working environment.
• Exposure to diverse industries and projects within the fields of carbon, energy and nature-based solutions.
• Positive workplace culture and a like-minded team.
• Opportunity to develop the skills to launch your career in this emerging area.