Associate / Senior Associate - shape the global agenda on resources, political risk & sustainability

Shape the agenda on global resources, political risk & sustainability

Position: Associate / Senior Associate

• Have political risk, sustainability, development, or energy and natural resource issues been important themes in your career? Would you like them to be?
• Can you see yourself – or do you already have experience – providing analysis and high-level advice to some of the world’s leading companies on how they manage these issues?
• Are you entrepreneurial and eager to apply or strengthen your business development skills?
• We are seeking an exceptional candidate for a mid-senior level role within our core team, helping to drive the continued success of our influential and vibrant company

Please note that we are only able to accept applications from candidates who have the right to work in the UK and meet the professional and education requirements outlined below.

Background: Critical Resource is a leading advisory firm specialising in political risk and sustainability issues, advising major companies and investors and engaging with international stakeholders at the most senior levels. We have two main goals: to provide authoritative, independent analysis on such issues; and to assist clients to manage them in a strategic, far-sighted and responsible way. Our core team brings together high-level experience working for The Economist, McKinsey, the OECD, Chatham House and a number of major energy and resource firms. Our network of senior advisors spans over 75 countries and includes former senior executives in global companies, former ambassadors, government ministers, civil society leaders, and other leading opinion formers. www.c-resource.com

The opportunity: We are looking for a high-calibre candidate to join Critical Resource’s London-based core team. Depending on the relevant experience of the candidate, the position will be either at Associate or Senior Associate level.

This is an important role for the future of our successful, boutique company. The right candidate will work with other key team members to help drive the success of the business (as well as influence on-the-ground outcomes on a globally-important set of issues). The work will be highly challenging and engaging, often with tight deadlines, and require both intellectual rigour and strong entrepreneurship.

Depending on the experience and expertise of the successful candidate, the role will likely focus on:

• Leading client assignments – managing research processes on political and sustainability issues facing energy and natural resource investments around the world; liaising with clients; coordinating the input of advisers/researchers and delivering high-quality outputs
• Developing the business – driving Critical Resource’s growth strategy by building and maintaining client relationships; identifying new business opportunities; credibly communicating our capabilities to potential clients; and ultimately securing new contracts

Additional areas of work may include:

• Strengthening Critical Resource’s intellectual capital and external credibility – including through publications, media interviews, and representing Critical Resource at national and international events
• Managing and developing junior colleagues
• As part of a small, non-hierarchical team, the successful candidate will also be expected to undertake some administrative tasks.

This is an exciting opportunity for anyone who wants to further their experience and reputation in the sustainability / political risk field, as well as on business development, in an environment which values excellence and which is highly supportive of employees’ professional development.

We may create two positions if we identify more than one suitable candidate.

The ideal candidate will have:

Skills / qualifications

• A strong academic record (equivalent of a 2:1 or 1^st, preferably with a master’s degree, from a leading university)
• 2-10 years of experience in a field relevant to our work: e.g., political risk, sustainability or climate change consulting; management of socio-political or sustainability issues for energy and resource companies (at operational or group level); NGO work; management consulting; development work; diplomatic service; etc.
• Understanding of global business trends, political / international issues; direct experience of the energy and natural resource industries and/or sustainability issues is a plus
• Potential or proven ability to manage small teams and projects successfully and under tight deadlines
• Potential or proven ability to effectively market consulting or advisory work to potential clients
• Potential or proven ability to build strong client and stakeholder relationships (existing networks and relationships with the energy and resource industries are helpful, but not essential)
• Excellent writing ability in English and strong communication skills; other language skills (e.g. French) an advantage, albeit not essential
• Good IT skills, including familiarity with PowerPoint & Excel

Personal attributes

• A highly diligent and thorough work ethic
• Strong analytical and research skills; ability to quickly grasp and dissect complex issues
• Entrepreneurial and energetic with a strong appetite for business development
• Personable character and a good team player
• High ethical integrity and commitment to confidentiality
• Professional approach, reliability and ability to meet tight deadlines
• Eligibility to work in the UK

Location: Central London (nearest tube – Farringdon)

Time & availability required: We are looking for someone to start as soon as possible, ideally in January or February 2017, on a full-time basis. This will be a permanent role with a 6-month probationary period. Some international travel may be required.

Salary: Competitive overall package dependent on experience, comprising base salary and performance bonus. For senior associates there is potential for equity options after 1-2 years.

Please send a CV and a one-page cover letter to careers@c-resource.com as soon as possible, and by 15^th January 2017 at the latest. The position will be filled as soon as a suitable candidate is identified.