Application Guide
How to Apply for Social Performance - Senior Consultant
at Environmental Resources Management
🏢 About Environmental Resources Management
Environmental Resources Management (ERM) is a global leader in sustainability consulting, uniquely positioned to help clients navigate the energy transition and advance ESG priorities. With a strong focus on social performance, ERM offers the opportunity to work on high-impact projects with multinational corporations, governments, and communities, making it an ideal place for professionals passionate about driving positive social and environmental change.
About This Role
As a Senior Consultant in Social Performance, you will lead and deliver social impact assessments, human rights due diligence, and community engagement strategies for major projects. Your work will directly influence how companies manage social risks and build trust with stakeholders, contributing to more sustainable and equitable outcomes. This role offers a blend of technical expertise, project management, and client advisory, with opportunities to mentor junior staff and shape business development.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might start with a team stand-up to review progress on a social impact assessment for a mining client, followed by analyzing community survey data and drafting a stakeholder engagement plan. You might then join a call with a government agency to discuss permitting requirements, and later mentor a junior consultant on best practices for human rights risk mapping. The afternoon could involve reviewing a proposal for a new renewable energy project and preparing slides for a client workshop on social investment programs.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Environmental Resources Management Is Looking For
- A seasoned social performance professional with 5–10+ years of experience in consulting, particularly in social impact assessments, human rights impact assessments, or social investment programs.
- Strong project management skills with the ability to oversee data collection, quality control, and multi-disciplinary team collaboration.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, adept at liaising with diverse stakeholders including government agencies, community groups, and corporate clients.
- A recognized degree in social science or related discipline; professional registration (e.g., SIA, HRIA) is a strong plus.
📝 Tips for Applying to Environmental Resources Management
Tailor your resume to highlight specific experience with social impact assessments (SIAs) and human rights impact assessments (HRIAs), mentioning the sectors (e.g., mining, energy) and scale of projects.
Quantify achievements: e.g., 'Led SIA for a $2B mining project involving 5 community consultations' or 'Reduced project delays by 20% through effective stakeholder engagement.'
Explicitly mention your project management methodology (e.g., Agile, PMP) and tools (e.g., MS Project, Smartsheet) to demonstrate organizational skills.
In your cover letter, reference ERM's recent projects or publications on social performance to show genuine interest and research.
Include examples of mentoring or team leadership, as the role requires guiding junior staff.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Emphasize your consulting experience and ability to manage complex social performance projects from proposal to delivery.', "Highlight your stakeholder engagement skills, especially with government and community organizations, and how you've navigated sensitive issues.", "Demonstrate your understanding of ERM's role in advancing sustainability and low-carbon futures, linking your work to broader ESG goals.", 'Mention any professional registrations or certifications relevant to social performance (e.g., SIA, HRIA, or PMP).']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Review ERM's latest sustainability reports and case studies on social performance, particularly in Australia or the Asia-Pacific region.
- → Understand ERM's 'Sustainability Institute' and its thought leadership on ESG and social impact.
- → Familiarize yourself with ERM's approach to the energy transition and how social performance integrates with climate and environmental projects.
- → Check recent news about ERM's acquisitions or partnerships in Australia to show awareness of their growth strategy.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting a generic application without referencing specific social performance methodologies (e.g., SIA, HRIA) or ERM's work.
- Overemphasizing academic credentials without demonstrating practical consulting experience or project management skills.
- Neglecting to mention stakeholder engagement experience with government or community organizations, which is critical for this role.
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to Environmental Resources Management!