At ERM, we have the opportunity, every day, to make an impact at scale with our clients to solve global climate, carbon, ESG, and sustainability challenges. We work on challenging and interesting projects with influential and exciting clients to get real results. In our professional business enablement functions, we provide solutions, advice and services to power our business, because what we do matters in the world.

People are at the heart of our operation. We are built around a Partnership model where ERM Partners are the shareholding managers and leaders of the organization. This creates a strong community, united by the impact of our work. Our people lean on and learn from each other, collaborating in a way that includes everyone's voices and encourages all to thrive. Inclusive collaboration is the driving force in creating a compassionate workplace that blends with our high performance culture.

Job Profile Summary

ERM is looking to hire a Managing Consultant focused on Mergers & Acquisitions to join our office in Johannesburg or Cape Town, South Africa.

What you’ll do

As a Managing Consultant with ERM’s Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) service line, you will work in a fast growing and entrepreneurial team of consultants. We have a global client base, and you will be exposed to an international environment. Your time will be split between supporting client projects, business development and developing knowledge and assets within the field of mergers & acquisitions, environmental and social due diligence assessments, and environmental site assessments.

You will be part of our growing Environmental and Social advisory team, with a main focus on due diligence and ESG aspects related to your clients and investors, while engaging with other business and technical professionals. You will work with all levels of technical expertise, from entry level team members to members with decades of experience, many of whom are subject matter experts in their own fields. You will engage in a continual learning environment through coaching, mentoring, and on the job tasks. You will split your time between office-based work, including drafting proposals, conducting site visits (including some local and international travel) and writing reports.

The successful candidate will have experience in conducting ESG screening and environmental and social due diligence assessments for Mergers & Acquisitions transactions. Required skills will include being competent in assessing the maturity of the processes in place to manage material ESG topics at companies and developing mitigation measures and action plans.  The successful candidate must be skilled in contextualizing developing country risks to European clients and audiences. Due Diligence assessments will range from complex commercial / industrial facilities, both locally and elsewhere in Africa, and/or facilities with long industrial histories, managing multi-site environmental due diligence projects, conducting and/or managing environmental compliance audits of commercial / industrial facilities, and assisting clients with post-transaction integration.

Additionally, you will support the team with developing client ready proposals, preparing sales pitches and other business development activities to grow ERM’s M&A service line. You will also provide your knowledge and insights to develop knowledge and assets to support our clients with managing their business opportunities and risks.

Who you’ll work with

You will be based in our South African office as part of ERM’s Mergers and Acquisitions – Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA) team. This is a team of management consultants focused on helping companies to manage the E&S, H&S and ESG risks at sites or projects that they are acquiring or investing in, and where due diligence is required.

M&A is a service with a unique blend of strategic, operational, data & analytics and technical expertise and knowledge. The team works across all financial and corporate sectors, with a strong focus on extractives, technology and financial services across Africa. At ERM, regardless of the sector in which you work, you will get the opportunity to work with multi- disciplinary teams and in different business environments.

You’ll bring (experience and qualifications):

At least 8 years of work experience in relevant environmental, health & safety, and social context.

A solid understanding of the implementation of the following standards in developing markets/countries: IFC performance standards, Equator Principles, World Bank EHS guidelines, OECD, International Labour Organization Standards, as they apply to due diligence assessments (African Development Bank E&S policy knowledge would be an advantage).

Excellent analytical and problem-solving and report writing skills.

Excellent advisory and business development skills.

Master's or PhD degree in business, economics, finance, environmental science or similar.

Hands-on and outstanding interpersonal and communication skills to interact with internal and external stakeholders while working in an international collaborative team environment.

Fluent in English (spoken/written) and competency in French, although not essential, will be a major advantage.

Who We Are:

As the largest global pure play sustainability consultancy, we partner with the world’s leading organizations, creating innovative solutions to sustainability challenges and unlocking commercial opportunities that meet the needs of today while preserving opportunity for future generations.

At ERM we know that creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive work environment is an essential part of making our company a great place to build a career. We also see our diversity as a strength that helps us create better solutions for our clients. Our diverse team of world-class experts supports clients across the breadth of their organizations to operationalize sustainability, underpinned by our deep technical expertise in addressing their environmental, health, safety, risk and social issues. We call this capability our “boots to boardroom” approach for its comprehensive service model that allows ERM to develop strategic and technical solutions that advance objectives on the ground or at the executive level.

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