Principal Consultant, Cape Town

CSS is a specialist advisory firm working at the intersection of sustainable finance, climate strategy, and systems transformation. We partner with leading financial institutions, development organisations, corporates, and public sector stakeholders to solve complex sustainability and climate‑related challenges.As the Company grows, we are looking for a senior leader who can help strengthen both our strategic impact and our organisational effectiveness. The Opportunity

We are looking for a Principal to play a critical leadership role within CSS— helping the Company scale sustainably while maintaining high standards of strategic thinking, delivery quality, collaboration, and culture. This is not a traditional consulting leadership role focused on managing day‑to‑day project delivery or extensive execution oversight. Instead, the role is designed for a senior leader who brings strong strategic judgement, organisational leadership, and operational maturity.The Principal will act as a strategic advisor, organisational integrator, and senior thought partner to the Director and leadership team. The role focuses on: guiding complex strategic work strengthening organisational coordination and effectiveness mentoring senior team members and helping build the systems and leadership structures that enable sustainable growthThe role is intentionally designed as a flexible senior leadership opportunity, suiting an experienced professional seeking meaningful, high‑impact work within a more sustainable and balanced working model. Working hours are 8:30‑3:00 pm, with 3 days in office per week. Key Responsibilities

Strategic Consulting Leadership

Help shape the strategic direction and intellectual framing of complex consulting engagements. Guide teams toward clear, practical, and high‑impact recommendations. Support senior problem‑solving on complex sustainability, finance, and systems‑level challenges. Ensure major deliverables maintain strong strategic, analytical, and commercial quality.Act as a trusted advisor and thought partner to clients and internal teams. Organisational and Portfolio Leadership

Provide strategic oversight across the project portfolio, helping ensure alignment between priorities, team capacity, delivery quality, and commercial objectives. Support senior team members in navigating complex delivery environments, stakeholder challenges, and competing priorities. Strengthen organisational systems, management structures, and ways of working that improve coordination, visibility, and execution discipline across the Company.Help identify operational bottlenecks and support leadership teams in improving organisational effectiveness. Partner closely with the Engagement Lead and Director to strengthen portfolio coordination and leadership alignment. Support effective staffing, prioritisation, and deployment of leadership capacity across engagements.Contribute to building a sustainable and scalable operating model for the Company. Leadership and Team Development

Mentor and coach senior team members. Contribute to capability development, succession planning, and leadership growth across the Company. Help create an environment where individuals and teams can perform sustainably and effectively. Support a collaborative, high‑trust, and high‑accountability culture.Client Advisory and Business Development

Build and strengthen trusted relationships with senior clients and ecosystem partners. Support business development efforts, including strategic proposals, partnerships, and opportunity development. Contribute to the growth and positioning of CSS within the sustainable finance and climate advisory ecosystem.Represent the Company externally through thought leadership and strategic engagement where appropriate. Who Will Thrive in This Role

We are looking for someone who: combines strategic insight with strong organisational judgement; enjoys helping teams and organisations operate more effectively at scale; brings calm, clarity, and prioritisation to complex and fast‑moving environments; is highly collaborative and emotionally intelligent;can move fluidly between strategic thinking and practical organisational problem‑solving; enjoys mentoring and enabling others to perform at their best; is comfortable operating in entrepreneurial and evolving environments; values sustainable leadership and long‑term organisational health; and is energised by meaningful work at the intersection of sustainability, finance, and systems change.Qualifications and Requirements

8–10+ years of relevant experience in strategy consulting, sustainable finance, climate advisory, or related fields. Strong track record of leading complex projects, teams, or portfolios of work. Demonstrated ability to combine strategic thinking with organisational and operational leadership.Experience working with senior stakeholders and executive‑level clients. Strong systems thinking, communication, and leadership capability. Commercial awareness and business development experience. Willingness to travel locally and internationally from time to time.

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