Current Opening at ojas.design
About the Role:
We are seeking a mission-driven Practice Manager – Sustainable Infrastructure & the Net Zero Economy to lead the development of this emerging capability at ojas.design. You’ll work at the intersection of sustainability, innovation, and systems design to help clients deliver infrastructure and place-based solutions that enable environmental, social, and economic resilience.
This role is ideal for someone who brings a strategic understanding of infrastructure systems, whether in transport, energy, utilities, housing, or public realm and can help clients translate bold sustainability goals into actionable delivery programmes that deliver lasting value.
Key Responsibilities:
Practice Development
Define and develop ojas.design’s sustainable infrastructure and Net Zero practice, including tools, methods, and signature offers
Shape service areas across decarbonisation strategy, green infrastructure design, Net Zero delivery planning, and just transition frameworks
Embed systems thinking and lifecycle sustainability into consulting methods across other practice areas
Client Engagement
Lead strategic and delivery engagements with clients in infrastructure, public bodies, energy, and transport
Facilitate system-wide collaboration across value chains, communities, and governing bodies
Deliver transition plans, implementation roadmaps, stakeholder engagement strategies, and measurement frameworks aligned with Net Zero goals
Capability Building
Build a multidisciplinary team with expertise in infrastructure planning, environmental strategy, innovation, systems modelling, and governance
Provide mentoring and professional development pathways for emerging consultants and delivery leads
Support integration of sustainability principles across the wider consultancy offer
Thought Leadership & Influence
Represent ojas.design in sustainability, climate innovation, and infrastructure design forums
Publish insights and frameworks on place-based transitions, resilient infrastructure, regenerative economics, and Net Zero governance
Monitor policy, regulatory, and funding shifts in infrastructure and climate adaptation
Skills and Competencies:
Essential
Strong experience in infrastructure consulting, capital delivery programmes, or sustainability strategy
Understanding of systems approaches to environmental and infrastructure challenges
Familiarity with Net Zero planning, carbon accounting, decarbonisation pathways, and climate risk
Proven ability to lead multi-stakeholder engagements across public, private, and civic sectors
Strong strategic communication, facilitation, and programme leadership skills
Ability to translate vision into phased delivery strategies that balance ambition with constraints
Desirable
Sector expertise in transport, housing, water, energy, digital infrastructure, or urban planning
Familiarity with tools such as whole-life carbon assessment, systems mapping, infrastructure resilience standards, or Net Zero maturity models
Knowledge of UK regulatory and funding environments (e.g. NIC, Ofgem, DfT, local development frameworks)
Experience with design charrettes, stakeholder co-creation, and nature-based or regenerative solutions
Training or certification in sustainability reporting (e.g., GRI, CDP), climate finance, or ISO standards (e.g., 14001, 50001)
About ojas.design
About ojas.design
ojas.design is a transformation and design consultancy helping organisations unlock purposeful growth through systems thinking, human-centred design, and innovation that serves people and planet. We work across public, private, and civic sectors on complex challenges where strategy, technology, and equity meet.
We believe that the path to a Net Zero economy demands more than decarbonisation, it requires a rethinking of how we build, power, move, and govern the infrastructures of everyday life. Our work supports clients in shaping and delivering sustainable, resilient infrastructure systems that are ready for the challenges of the 21st century.
Why Join ojas.design?
Lead a new capability that places climate, equity, and systems transformation at its core
Work on projects that influence the future of cities, energy, transport, and place-based resilience
Collaborate across disciplines to tackle the urgent transition to Net Zero
Enjoy flexible working, creative freedom, and a values-led culture committed to real-world impact
Equality and Diversity at ojas.design
At ojas.design, we believe that diverse perspectives create better outcomes. We are committed to building an inclusive workplace that welcomes people of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences.
We encourage applications from individuals who are underrepresented in consulting and design, including, but not limited to, people of colour, disabled people, LGBTQIA+ individuals, neurodivergent thinkers, and those from lower socio-economic backgrounds.
If you need adjustments to take part in the recruitment process or to support your work with us, we’re happy to accommodate. Contact Us.
About You
You are a systems thinker with a deep commitment to the transition to a low-carbon, high-resilience future. You’re comfortable operating across scales, from policy strategy to project delivery and thrive in complexity where trade-offs must be navigated and collective ambition turned into collaborative action.
You bring credibility and confidence in infrastructure environments, whether working with engineers, planners, community stakeholders, or funders. You believe infrastructure should be designed not only for function, but also for fairness, sustainability, and future resilience.
You’re ready to build a practice that redefines what infrastructure means in a Net Zero economy, less extractive, more regenerative; less top-down, more collaborative. You want to lead work that shapes the built environment and societal systems for generations to come.