Principal Consultant- ESG Regulations

The Opportunity:

Principal Consultant is responsible for participating in and overseeing the delivery of various ESG-related client projects, primarily the implementation/review of existing or new ESG regulations (UK, EU) but may also include other ESG projects.

The Principal Consultant may take a lead role depending on the complexity and/or scale of the project and may be asked to assist with certain leadership or management tasks, or certain strategic initiatives. They will play a role in maintaining and enhancing the delivery of the firm’s products and services, ensuring high levels of client service and demonstrating technical competence across a range of ESG compliance areas applicable to our clients.

The Principal Consultant is also responsible for the development and maintenance of client relationships and the progression and oversight of other ACA staff.

The ideal candidate has at least 5 years of experience and is a highly motivated, passionate individual with strong analytical and writing skills.

What you’ll do:

• Lead or assist the delivery of ESG regulatory implementation projects and other ESG program management or development projects.
• Accountable for leading the preparation of relevant sustainability regulatory requirements as set out by the FCA, HMT, ESMA, ESAs and other financial regulators such as the SEC, as applicable, and keep abreast of regulatory developments.
• Provide ESG regulatory consulting services to clients, as required, answering ESG/Compliance-related questions from clients and delivering client training sessions.
• Demonstrating a commercial awareness such that additional ACA Group services can be supported through ESG expertise, and promoted for the benefit of clients where appropriate (via referrals to dedicated sales representatives)
• Full functional proficiency in at least one ESG technical subject or regulation, requiring no or minimal oversight.
• Manage assigned client relationships and projects proactively, including providing expert advice and an excellent client experience, as well as monitoring profitability and accounts receivable.
• Liaising with other internal departments as necessary (finance, sales, legal) where you are the designated account owner, including responding to clients’ questions and needs in a timely manner and ensuring that colleagues contributing to shared accounts do the same.
• Provide support for ACA special projects and internal initiatives (e.g., drafting articles for industry publications or speaking at events/on webcasts, conduct research on ESG issues, draft or assist with internal presentations).
• Supervise, train, evaluate, oversee, and provide feedback to colleagues in a supervisory and project manager capacity.
• May serve on key internal working groups such as the ESG Regulatory Updates group or wider compliance technical group.

To qualify for the role you must have:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Ideally, you’ll also have:

• 5-7 years of professional experience such as employment with the Financial Conduct Authority, with an FCA regulated firm, or in an Analyst or Consultant role with ACA or an equivalent role with a consulting organization comparable to ACA.
• Strong knowledge of ESG/sustainability regulations impacting asset managers (SFDR and EU Taxonomy, TCFD, SDR) as well as sustainability frameworks (TNFD, TPT, ISSB, ESRS)
• ICA Diploma in Compliance, CFA certificate in ESG Investing, or equivalent.
• Supervisory experience

Skills and attributes for success:

• Entrepreneurial spirit and ability to work independently
• Collaborative and team-oriented mindset
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills
• Creative thinker and problem-solver with a positive and flexible attitude
• Strong analytical skills
• Passion for ESG and sustainability
• High level of proficiency in Microsoft software applications and comfortable working in a tech enabled environment.

What working at ACA offers:

We offer a competitive compensation package where you’ll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to our business. Our Total Rewards package includes an annual discretionary bonus, pension, private medical insurance, group life insurance, group income protection, subsidized corporate gym membership, season ticket loan, employee assistance programme, and more. Our time off options include up to 26 days of annual holiday allowance and statutory bank holidays, as well as days off for your work anniversary, career development, and volunteering.

About ACA:

ACA Group is the leading governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) advisor in financial services. We empower our clients to reimagine GRC and protect and grow their business. Our innovative approach integrates consulting, managed services, and our ComplianceAlpha® technology platform with the specialized expertise of former regulators and practitioners and our deep understanding of the global regulatory landscape.

What we commit to:

ACA is firmly committed to a policy of nondiscrimination, which applies to recruiting, hiring, placement, promotions, training, discipline, terminations, layoffs, transfers, leaves of absence, compensation and all other terms and conditions of employment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or protected veteran status, or any other legally protected basis, in accordance with applicable law.