Managing Principal, Sustainable Finance SEA

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Company Description

ABOUT THE RAMBOLL GROUP

Ramboll was established in 1945 as a partnership between Professor B.J. Ramboll and Professor I.G. Hannemann. The purpose was to create a technically excellent company that in a wide sense would develop the company and benefit its employees, clients and society at large. This purpose stands today and it is built on an ethical and responsible business behaviour with a focus on how the company can contribute to improved social and environmental outcomes.

Today, Ramboll is a global multidisciplinary engineering firm of 18000 people operating from 300 offices across 35 countries including Australia, Singapore, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, South Korea, Japan and India in the APAC region. In 2022, Ramboll released our strategy to become the Partner of Sustainable Change, reiterating our commitment to contributing to society. Through this strategy we aim to be a leader in the Green Transition by investing in our sustainability service portfolio and bolstering our strong geographical platform. This strategy presents opportunities in the APAC region which has been identified as a focus growth area for Ramboll through a centralised ‘hub’ in Singapore and increased ambitions for growth in Australia, particularly as Australia experiences the green energy transition.

With this ambition Ramboll is strengthening all markets within the APAC region with a focus in the energy transition, livable cities, green buildings, climate change and resilience, and information management among others. The Environment and Health team are the largest of the markets in APAC and can leverage the Ramboll investment delivering sustainability consulting which has been, and continues to be, a priority service area.

The Sustainable Partner strategy aligns with Ramboll’s ownership structure by the Ramboll Foundation. The Foundation is the major shareholder of the Ramboll business, with the remaining shares purchased by or awarded to employees. According to the Ramboll Foundation’s Charter, the purpose of the Foundation is to own and support Ramboll and to ensure the financial and commercial continuance and development of Ramboll and its affiliated companies or associates in such a way that as many employees as possible can experience an exciting and inspiring workplace in a long-term perspective.

Key to the Foundation ownership and Ramboll’s way of doing business is our value basis. It is a mutual obligation of the Foundation Board and the Group Board of Directors to uphold and cultivate ‘Our

Legacy’ as a recognisable part of doing business in Ramboll. Ramboll is a value based business operating from four value pairs that guide how we do business. Our Fundamentals is our set of core beliefs and ambitions that capture the essence of being Ramboll. It describes four equally important value statements: We behave decently and responsibly; Our employees are our strength; We are an active member of society, and Excellence and insights are our hallmarks. Our Fundamentals define our company purpose, what we strive to achieve, how we act, and how we create value for our key stakeholders - respecting Our Legacy and defining our future.

Job Description

MANAGING PRINCIPAL, SUSTAINABLE FINANCE, SOUTH EAST ASIA

Principals in Ramboll are core to delivering our strategy and are at the centre of the Ramboll fabric. They emulate firm focussed behaviour and lead teams that deliver on Ramboll’s ambition through this value-based setting.

Successful Principals of Ramboll maintain a superior consulting service line striving always to be technical leaders in their field. Through their own branding and reputation, combined with Ramboll, they have a primary responsibility for generating firm revenues and have annual targets that reflect the business ambition, though also recognize other roles that Principals may hold. They strive to continually improve performance in their technical area throughout their career, and assist in the career development of others, always aiming to reach our combined potential. Principals are responsible for ensuring quality of client deliverables, technical excellence and advancement in the service line.

As the SEA regional lead, you would have responsibility for setting strategic and operational objectives aimed at enhancing the service. In this role the Principal is expected to work closely with other Principals and senior leaders across APAC and across the Sustainable Finance sector within the IA, B&E GSL to develop and grow Ramboll’s Sustainable Finance advisory offering, supporting clients in integrating environmental, climate, and social considerations into financial decision making. The growth of Sustainable Finance in APAC will leverage Ramboll’s global sector wide client relationships and capability and pivot towards the specific requirements of Lenders and Project Sponsors in the APAC region, specifically those located in India, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan and South Korea.

Ramboll sees strong and growing demand across APAC for Sustainable Finance services, particularly from financial institutions, investors, developers, corporates, and public sector entities seeking to align capital allocation with sustainability and resilience objectives. The demand for these services in APAC calls for proven expertise with diverse subject matter expertise and a familiarity of the cultural and commercial context of the specific APAC markets.

Key Objectives of the Sustainable Finance Role


  • Develop and implement a Sustainable Finance business plan for SE Asia, defining priority services, target clients, and a clear implementation roadmap.
  • Lead business development activities to establish Ramboll as a trusted advisor in Sustainable Finance across the region, including leading global client relationships for APAC based lenders and sponsors.
  • Deliver and oversee high quality advisory services, including (but not limited to):
    • Independent Lender’s environmental and social advisory
    • Strategic environmental and social advisory to project sponsors to support project finance.
    • Environment and Social Impact Assessment and associated risk-based services including:
      • Climate Change Risk Assessment
      • Human Rights Risk Assessment
      • Biodiversity Assessments
      • Collaborate with Ramboll’s Environment & Health, Energy, Water, Buildings, and Management Consulting teams to deliver integrated, multi‑disciplinary solutions.
  • Leverage Ramboll’s global sustainability expertise to support capability development and knowledge transfer into APAC.
  • Develop specific cost competitive sector and subject matter expertise in APAC to support continued global Sustainable Finance growth.

Team and Capability Development


  • Initially utilise Ramboll’s existing APAC teams and global experts to deliver Sustainable Finance services.
  • In collaboration with APAC management, build regional capability over time through targeted recruitment, capability development, and structured career pathways.


Core Responsibilities

Regional Business Leadership (REH – SEA)


  • Set and execute the SEA REH strategy, aligned with Ramboll’s global REH and market strategies
  • Own regional revenue growth, profitability, and backlog development, ensuring sustainable financial performance
  • Drive market positioning and differentiation of REH services across Southeast Asia
  • Oversee portfolio prioritisation, investment decisions, and resource deployment across countries and service lines.


Client & Market Leadership


  • Act as a senior client sponsor for key public and private sector clients in SEA
  • Lead development of strategic client relationships, complex pursuits, and flagship engagements
  • Represent Ramboll externally as a thought leader in resilience, environment, health, and sustainability led transformation
  • Collaborate with Ramboll’s Environment & Health, Energy, Water, Buildings, and Management Consulting teams to deliver integrated, multi‑disciplinary solutions.


People & Organisation Leadership


  • Lead, inspire, and develop senior leaders, Principals, and high potential talent across SEA
  • Build a strong performance, inclusion, and learning culture, rolemodelling Ramboll’s Leadership Principles
  • Ensure robust succession planning, capability development, and talent retention
  • Active collaboration with other Principals and senior leaders in client delivery and business development.


Revenue and Profit Generation

Principals have primary responsibility for revenue and profit generation at Ramboll through client development, business origination, and stewardship of key accounts. Evidence of this responsibility includes:


  • Sustainable revenue and profit generation equivalent to approximately SGD2,000,000 annually in net revenue (net of project expenses)
  • Achievement of this revenue level within a reasonable establishment period (typically within 18 months), with continued growth thereafter to support APAC business expansion
  • Significant contribution to broadening and deepening Ramboll’s client base, both individually and in collaboration with other Principals and Managers
  • Demonstrated ability to leverage existing client relationships into new opportunities across Ramboll service lines and geographies
  • Demonstrated collaboration with Ramboll Business Areas to support the One Ramboll approach to clients.


Superior Consulting Practice

Principals are expected to be actively engaged in client work and recognised by clients as trusted advisors. Evidence includes:


  • Consistent track record of client satisfaction, retention, and repeat engagements
  • Active involvement in project delivery, with a typical personal billing ratio of ~60%, recognising variation depending on leadership and management responsibilities
  • Delivery of high‑quality consulting outputs that reinforce Ramboll’s reputation for technical excellence and insight
  • Application of unique or advanced technical, commercial, or advisory expertise that provides competitive advantage
  • Competence in business and project management, including commercial and contractual oversight.


FIRM FOCUSED BEHAVIOR

Principals are expected to display firm-focused behavior, which includes being active in firm management, at the office, business unit, Division, and/or firm-wide levels. Evidence of this attribute includes the following:


  • Demonstrated collaboration with other Principals and Managers to provide expertise/resources to solve client’s problems.
  • Demonstrated collaboration with other Principals and Managers in Environmental & Health and other markets, in client and business development.
  • Appropriate and effective utilization, direction, development and treatment of staff.
  • Significant demonstrable contribution to the attraction and retention of staff.
  • Competence in aspects of business management and project management (including contracting) to ensure successful projects and a profitable service line.
  • Successful coaching and mentoring of junior level staff.
  • Participation in office, business unit, Division or Ramboll committees


Qualifications


  • B.S./M.S./Ph.D. degree in Engineering or Environmental Sciences, or related discipline
  • Demonstrated technical leadership in core service area
  • Strong written and oral communication skills
  • Demonstrated capabilities in understanding, interpreting, and applying environmental regulations to real-world situations
  • Ability to externally manage client and regulatory agency relationships and internally manage staff and competing project priorities
  • Demonstrated business development capabilities
  • Minimum 15 years experience in environmental consulting