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Carbon Advisor

Balfour Beatty plc • United Kingdom • Added on Aug 14, 2026
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This role centers on the technical quantification and management of carbon emissions across major infrastructure projects. You will own the carbon baselining and forecasting process, ensuring that every project stage from preconstruction to delivery has an accurate and auditable carbon budget. By analyzing data from tools like Candy and Moata, you will identify emission hotspots and provide project teams with the insights needed to implement real reductions on the ground.

Working within the construction sector is critical for global decarbonization, and this role puts you at the heart of that transition. You will be responsible for driving PAS 2080 compliance, ensuring that large-scale civil engineering projects move beyond vague promises to measurable carbon savings. Your work directly influences how infrastructure is built, helping one of the UK’s largest construction groups meet its ambitious net-zero targets while setting a benchmark for the wider industry.

This suits someone who possesses a strong technical or engineering background and enjoys digging into data to find efficiencies. You should be a clear communicator who can translate complex carbon metrics into actionable advice for site-based teams.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The primary mission is to provide technical carbon estimating and forecasting support across the Power Transmission & Distribution (PT&D) business. You will be responsible for creating robust carbon baselines for live projects, ensuring that all data is auditable and meets PAS 2080 standards. You will also conduct deep-dive carbon analysis to identify 'hotspots' during the preconstruction phase. By feeding this data back into benchmarking systems, you ensure that future projects benefit from accurate, real-world insights, ultimately helping the firm meet its internal and client-mandated carbon budgets.

Key learning opportunities for this job

Candidates will gain deep expertise in carbon accounting for infrastructure, specifically learning how to apply carbon factors to complex civil engineering materials and methods. You will become proficient in specialized software such as Candy and Moata, which are industry standards for cost and carbon management. Furthermore, the role offers a front-row seat to the implementation of PAS 2080, the global standard for managing whole-life carbon in infrastructure. This provides a high-value skillset that is increasingly in demand as the construction sector faces stricter environmental regulations.

How does the ideal candidate look like (experience, skills)?

The ideal profile combines a technical engineering or commercial background with a passion for sustainability. You should have experience in major civil engineering projects, understanding how construction sites actually operate, which allows you to make realistic carbon recommendations. Strong data literacy is essential, as is the ability to use carbon reporting tools. Beyond technical skills, Balfour Beatty looks for change-makers who have the interpersonal skills to influence project managers and site teams who may be new to carbon management concepts.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, emphasize your practical understanding of construction processes rather than just theoretical sustainability knowledge. The hiring team needs someone who can talk to engineers in their own language while championing carbon reduction. Highlight any specific experience with carbon quantification tools or involvement in projects where you successfully identified material efficiencies. Demonstrating an understanding of the relationship between cost estimating and carbon estimating will show that you understand the commercial realities of the industry.

What aspects of the company's sustainability is this role likely to focus on?

This role is a cornerstone of the company’s decarbonization strategy. It focuses specifically on 'embodied carbon' and operational emissions related to infrastructure delivery, which are the most significant environmental impacts for a construction firm. By focusing on benchmarking and data accuracy, the role ensures that sustainability claims are backed by rigorous science. You will also support the circular economy by identifying opportunities for material substitution and reduced resource consumption during the design and build phases.

What are the main challenges someone in this role might face?

One of the main challenges will be data consistency across diverse and complex project sites. You will need to influence various stakeholders to adopt standardized templates and coding, which can be difficult in fast-paced construction environments. Additionally, you may face resistance when pushing for low-carbon alternatives if they are perceived as more expensive or technically difficult. Balancing carbon targets with commercial constraints requires persistence and strong evidence-based advocacy.

How could a typical day look like for someone in this position?

A typical day might begin with reviewing carbon forecasts for a new bid, followed by a meeting with a preconstruction team to discuss how to reduce the footprint of a specific bridge or substation design. You might spend the afternoon visiting a site in the South of the UK to verify actual carbon data against the original estimates. The day often concludes with reporting duties, using digital tools to track project performance against the client's sustainability requirements.

What are the opportunities for professional growth and development in this role?

As the UK infrastructure sector moves toward mandatory carbon reporting, this role offers significant career progression into senior sustainability management or specialized carbon leadership positions. You will have high visibility across major projects, providing a platform to become a subject matter expert. There are also opportunities to move into strategic ESG roles or technical lead positions within the Power Transmission & Distribution division, as carbon expertise becomes integrated into every aspect of the business.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will interact heavily with preconstruction and delivery teams, including project managers, quantity surveyors, and site engineers. These interactions are focused on translating data into practical site-level changes. Externally, you will engage with clients and local authorities to report on carbon performance and demonstrate compliance with contract requirements. You will also collaborate with internal sustainability leads to ensure regional activities align with the broader Balfour Beatty strategy.

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