Senior Consultant (Maternity cover)

Contract: 12-month maternity cover to start as soon as possible.
Salary: £32,000 - £50,000 per annum for 37.5 hours per week (full-time). Part-time hours will be considered for the right candidate.

About Resource Futures

We want to create a future where organisations, people and communities can thrive using material resources.

Resource Futures is an organisation accelerating the shift towards a circular world: putting restorative practices of reuse, repair, recycling at the heart of the fight to address the climate crisis. We help governments, businesses, NGOs and non-profits embrace regenerative change and rebalance their relationship with resources.

We are non-profit-distributing and have a close-knit team of 50+ trusted employees who collaborate across various areas of the business. Our multi-disciplined and connected approach sets us apart from the competition and enables us to build robust solutions that have a meaningful impact in the world.

We are passionate not only about what we do but how we do it, and we’re proud to be a part of the global B Corp movement to use business as a force for good. Employee-owned and independent, we’re all about helping each team member grow, and together striving towards our goal of creating a sustainable world.

The opportunity

We are seeking an experienced and capable individual to join our Consultancy team as Senior Consultant. The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate experience in either delivering research in one or more relevant policy areas or supporting businesses and other organisations to develop and adopt circular models. You will also have strong project management skills and a positive attitude to problem-solving. Your knowledge and skills may have been developed in consultancy, government policy, the third sector, industry, academia or a combination of roles.

We are looking for a team member who will complement our existing experience and bring their own specialisms. You may have a particular interest in either quantitative or qualitative analysis, but at this level a combination of strong data analysis and report writing skills is a must.

We operate at the forefront of environmental policy, and support national governments in the UK and overseas with policy development, implementation and evaluation. We also support businesses and industry organisations in a range of sectors to explore opportunities and navigate the transition to a circular economy. Our work reflects the experience and passions of our team members. As a Senior Consultant, you’ll have the opportunity to shape the service areas you work in, as we build on recent successes and develop new areas of growth. You will also play a role in training and mentoring junior colleagues.

Recent policy work in the UK has focused on tackling marine litter and waste issues from fishing and aquaculture gear, exploring digital innovation in a UK deposit return scheme, and an assessment of fiscal policies for a circular economy, alongside projects looking at extended producer responsibility, better management of unsold consumer goods, textiles, construction, energy infrastructure, the Landfill Tax, and illegal waste disposal. Internationally, we have been supporting governments of low- and middle-income countries to develop the evidence and strategies needed to tackle plastic waste, including delivering a workshop in Panama for Central American governments.

Recent circular business support projects have included strategic support for Genuine Solutions in meeting its ESG and CSR commitments and reporting needs; delivering circular economy and sustainability training for chemical engineers; and establishing robust carbon footprint metrics and modelling for disabled childrens’ charity, Newlife.

What you will be doing

UK/devolved nation policy research and analysis: Clients may include government departments and public bodies, environmental NGOs and other progressive organisations with an interest in circular economy, resources and waste policy.
Strategic business support: research and analysis for corporates and third sector organisations looking to embed circular thinking into their organisation and business processes.
Project management: You’ll manage a range of projects, with the support of the project director, using project management software.
Client relationship management: You’ll maintain excellent relationships with clients, ensuring they are well-informed, engaged and receive the value they seek from our work.
Business development: You’ll develop and manage proposals for new work, supporting the Policy and Circular Economy Leads as well as the wider consultancy team.
Strategic planning: You’ll work closely with the Head of Consultancy Services and service area leads to shape the strategic direction of our consultancy work and impact.
People management: You will have some line management responsibilities and will be supported to build skills in this area.
Other responsibilities applicable for Senior Consultant grade.

The essentials

A keen interest in environmental issues and sustainable resource use.
Undergraduate degree in a relevant subject, or equivalent training or experience.
At least five years’ relevant work experience (including any postgraduate research).
A track record of successfully managing and delivering projects on time and on budget, for example in a consultancy, thinktank, government body, NGO or similar.
Demonstrable subject knowledge related to circular economy/waste policy, e.g. EPR, DRS, reuse, eco-design, product passports, electronics, textiles, construction, plastics, packaging, waste crime, waste exports, marine litter, etc.
Strong quantitative analysis skills, primarily using Excel.
Qualitative analysis skills (could include designing and conducting interviews, surveys, literature reviews or other methods).
Strong communication skills, with experience of producing written reports and giving presentations tailored to different audiences.
Highly competent IT user, particularly Microsoft packages.
A positive and proactive approach to problem-solving.
Ability to travel easily around the UK, by public transport or with your own transport and the necessary current full driving licence and business use insurance.

Great to haves

Postgraduate degree or research experience in a relevant subject.
Understanding of the interactions between the climate, resources and nature policy areas; interest/experience in systems thinking.
Data modelling experience, e.g. in economic/environmental impact assessments, carbon modelling, scenario modelling, benchmarking, etc.
Additional analytical skills and interests, for example in GIS, R or other software.

Benefits

Embedded flexi working culture.
25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, each year (pro rata for part-time hours) – flexibility to work or use some bank holidays for annual leave.
Buying and selling annual leave policy to add further flexibility around how you manage your work/non-work time and give you better control over how much and when you take leave from work.
Paid volunteer time each year (a full day for those working 19 hours or more per week, half day for those working up to 18.75 hours per week).
Enhanced maternity and paternity pay.
Enhanced sick pay.
Scottish Widows pension plan – the company will match up to 7% of your contribution.
Group life assurance cover.
Healthcare portal offering 24/7 GP access, mental health support, wellbeing advice, financial and legal guidance.
Mental health and wellbeing group with trained mental health first aiders and responders, maintaining a focus on support for our team.
A cycle to work scheme for all and on-site showers at the Bristol office.
Home and tech scheme – costs at Currys and Ikea spread across 12 months, and up to 10% savings.
On-site charging points for electric vehicles at the Bristol office.
Paid professional membership such as CIWM or IEMA.
An opportunity to become a company member, contributing to decision making and the future of our business.
Consultative Group – a group of employees providing an anonymous vehicle for employee voice, raising issues, proposing changes and engaging senior management.
Regular line manager 1:1s and performance reviews, with opportunities to discuss and build targets that inspire and push you professionally.
Annual training budget to ensure continued progression and development, as well as regular internal ‘Lunchtime Briefs’ and other sessions to share skills and knowledge across all roles.
Two annual team activity days, each followed by evening socials.
Green and accessible Bristol office, surrounded by nature, and close to the harbourside.
Accessible central Glasgow office close to local public transport links as well as cafés and shops, with various complementary facilities, events and networking opportunities.
An opportunity to join a friendly, fun, professional, challenging, and supportive place to work, and a team that is collectively focused on making a positive impact.

We will carry out an initial shortlist of applications after 9am on Monday, 7th July 2025 and will hold first interviews on Wednesday 16th July 2025.

We will continue to accept applications for this vacancy until the role has been filled.