Sustainable Design Consultant – Job Description – Cape Town
About Our Client
Our esteemed client is a Cape Town-based environmental and sustainability consultancy with more than 20 years of experience and over 1,000 projects completed across Africa.
The Sustainable Design team works across the full project lifecycle, from early sustainability strategy and design integration through certification, construction, commissioning and operational performance. The work includes Green Star SA, EDGE and other green-building certifications; energy, water, waste and carbon strategy; Net Zero pathways; indoor environmental quality; existing-building performance; and practical sustainability support to professional teams and property owners.
They are not a generic sustainability advisory business. They work directly with clients, architects, engineers, contractors and other specialists to translate sustainability objectives into practical, technically credible and measurable project outcomes.
They are known for high professional standards, technical rigour, practical advice and dependable client service. They are also a close, people-centred business in which staff are given meaningful responsibility and the opportunity to grow.
Purpose of the Role
We are seeking a Sustainable Design Consultant with approximately two to three years of relevant, hands-on experience to join the Sustainable Design team.
This person will work closely with the CEO and Team Leader. In practical terms, we are looking for a capable consultant who can carry allocated projects and technical workstreams, remain ahead of programmes and deadlines, coordinate effectively with professional teams, and identify emerging issues before they become problems.
This is not an administrative support role. The successful candidate must have enough technical grounding and project experience to contribute meaningfully from the outset. At the same time, we are not expecting a finished senior consultant. We are looking for someone with a strong foundation, sound judgement and the appetite to develop into a significant long-term member of the team.
Key Responsibilities
- Taking day-to-day ownership of allocated sustainable-design and green-building projects or workstreams, with appropriate oversight from the Team Leader.
- Planning and coordinating project deliverables, programmes, certification requirements and submission deadlines.
- Working directly with clients, architects, engineers, contractors and other members of the professional team.
- Coordinating the collection, review and management of technical information, calculations, drawings, evidence and supporting documentation.
- Preparing clear, technically accurate reports, assessments, presentations, certification submissions and client deliverables.
- Undertaking first-line quality control of project information and ensuring that deliverables are complete, consistent and properly documented.
- Monitoring project progress, identifying risks or information gaps early, and communicating these clearly to the Team Leader and project team.
- Managing client expectations professionally and contributing to the consistently high standard of service expected from us.
- Supporting the development and improvement of sustainable-design services, methodologies, templates and product offerings.
- Building constructive relationships with clients, industry stakeholders, certification bodies and strategic partners.
- Representing our organisation professionally at relevant meetings, events, industry forums and conferences.
- Maintaining accurate project records, correspondence, evidence registers, time records and other required project administration.
- Maintaining and expanding relevant professional registrations, training and accreditations.
Candidate Requirements
- A relevant qualification in sustainable design, architecture, engineering, environmental design, sustainability, the built environment or a related discipline.
- Approximately two to three years of meaningful, hands-on experience in sustainable-design consulting, green-building certification or building-performance services.
- Practical experience with one or more recognised frameworks such as Green Star SA, EDGE, LEED, Existing Building Performance, Sustainable Precincts or an equivalent system.
- A relevant professional accreditation, such as Green Star Accredited Professional, EDGE Expert, LEED Green Associate/AP or equivalent, would be strongly advantageous.
- Experience working as part of a multidisciplinary professional team and coordinating inputs from architects, engineers, contractors and clients.
- Strong project-management, technical-writing, document-control and client-engagement skills.
- The ability to manage several concurrent deliverables without losing control of detail, quality or deadlines.
- The ability to produce structured, reviewable and professionally presented technical documentation.
- Sufficient confidence to manage allocated work independently, while knowing when to raise a question or escalate a risk.
- A genuine interest in the continued development of sustainable buildings, resource efficiency and measurable environmental performance.
The Person We Are Looking For
Technical knowledge matters, but the way this person works will be equally important.
We are looking for someone who is mature, dependable and organised; who takes ownership rather than waiting to be chased; and who communicates early and clearly when something needs attention. They should be comfortable receiving feedback, willing to learn quickly and able to work collaboratively without ego.
The right person will be practical rather than purely theoretical. They will understand that successful sustainable design depends not only on achieving certification points, but on coordinating people, information, design decisions and evidence throughout the life of a project.
They should reduce pressure on the Team Leader by carrying their share of the delivery load properly, not create another layer of work through poor follow-through, weak communication or constant supervision.
What’s on offer
The successful candidate will join an established and respected consultancy with a strong portfolio of significant green-building and sustainability projects.
The role offers:
- Direct involvement in meaningful and technically interesting projects.
- Exposure to different building types, clients and sustainability frameworks.
- Close collaboration with experienced technical and business leaders.
- The opportunity to take genuine project responsibility and grow professionally.
- Scope to help shape new services and contribute to the continued development of the Sustainable Design team.
- A professional, supportive environment in which good work, sound judgement and individual contribution are recognised.
Remuneration
Competitive market related remuneration will be on offer and will be negotiable depending on numerous factors such as experience, qualifications, current earnings etc. All eligible candidates are encouraged to send their updated CV’s to cvs4ruarke@therecruiters.co.za
