Principal Recruitment Consultant - ESG & Sustainability

About the role

Talent Nation is a specialist recruitment agency focused on ESG, environment and sustainability, and is looking for a Principal Recruitment Consultant to join its Melbourne team. This is a senior, market-facing position for someone who acts as a trusted advisor to clients, not just a service provider. The agency operates on a retained model and wants someone who has built a genuine book of retained relationships, ideally at C-suite and board level.

Key responsibilities

• Own senior and complex retained search mandates in ESG, sustainability, climate and energy, often at executive and board level
• Win new retained client relationships at a senior level through your own reputation and network
• Advise clients on talent strategy and market conditions, not just fulfill briefs
• Contribute to the firm's commercial strategy, market positioning and growth priorities alongside the Directors
• Raise the quality of how the team searches, briefs and advises, and share that expertise informally with less experienced consultants
• Represent Talent Nation publicly as a recognised voice in the ESG and sustainability recruitment market

Required profile

• A substantial track record as a recruitment consultant at senior or principal level in an agency environment
• Demonstrated ability to win and retain significant client relationships through own business development, ideally including retained search
• Deep experience working on a retained basis, understanding how to sell, price and deliver it
• A genuine network and reputation in ESG, sustainability, environment or a closely adjacent professional market
• The judgement and credibility to advise clients at a senior level and the maturity to represent the firm in the market
• Alignment with Talent Nation's B Corp values

What we offer

• A competitive salary and a generous bonus plan reflecting the seniority of the role
• An Employee Share Options Plan
• Direct involvement in shaping firm strategy alongside the Directors

To apply, send your CV and a short note explaining why you are interested in the role to the recruiter named in the original posting; applications are treated confidentially.