Principal Consultant - Financial Services

About Acre

We exist to create systemic change for our planet and society by activating people's potential.

Since 2003, we've been at the forefront of sustainability and impact-focused hiring. As a certified B Corp and global leader in our field, we partner with forward-thinking organisations to embed sustainability into the heart of business - especially in sectors where transformation is critical. With offices in London, New York, Amsterdam, and Singapore, we've placed purpose-driven leaders in over 55 countries and are proud to shape some of the most influential sustainability and finance teams globally.

Acre's Financial Services team operates at the intersection of capital and sustainable transition. We support banks, asset managers, insurers, and private markets investors in building investment and corporate leadership teams, strengthening ESG capabilities, and securing specialist talent. Our work spans a range of critical themes - from investing in energy transition solutions and mitigating physical climate risk, to unlocking sustainable finance opportunities and accelerating a just transition.

The Role: Principal Consultant - Financial Services

We're looking for a strategic, commercially minded Consultant to join our high-performing Financial Services practice in EMEA. You'll play a pivotal role in helping leading financial institutions embed impact led professionals at the core of their business.

This is a leadership-level role combining individual billings, mentoring, and ownership of a specialist market vertical. You'll partner with clients on high-impact mandates spanning sustainable finance and investing, stewardship, climate risk, and beyond - backed by our best-in-class research function and recognised global brand.

What You'll Do

• Own your market: Lead on business development, client partnerships, and end-to-end delivery within a defined financial services vertical (e.g. investment management, private markets, banking or insurance).
• Shape impactful teams: Deliver assignments and team builds that result in transformative hires - from ESG portfolio leads and Chief Sustainability Officers to climate risk and impact investment specialists.
• Drive revenue with purpose: Meet commercial targets with integrity, utilising Acre's internal research, data, and marketing functions to amplify your reach.
• Champion career journeys: Build deep relationships with candidates, supporting their long-term development and impact beyond the placement.
• Lead and collaborate: Where required, mentor junior team members, contribute to team culture, and help shape the evolution of our financial services offering.

What We're Looking For

• A proven track record in executive or senior professional recruitment, ideally within financial services.
• Comfort with delivering retained search assignments and managing complex stakeholder relationships.
• A strong grasp of how sustainability intersects with financial markets is advantageous along with the curiosity to keep learning.
• A values-led mindset: you care about the role of capital in building a more sustainable and equitable future.
• Entrepreneurial energy: you're ready to build and scale your niche, backed by a high-trust, high-support environment.

Why Join Acre?

• Impact Meets Commerciality: Our work directly supports the transition to a sustainable global economy. Every placement you make drives meaningful change.
• A Leading Name in Financial Services Recruitment: Our dedicated Financial Services team is recognised globally, partnering with leading institutions from Wall Street to global development banks.
• A Global Platform: With global reach, established partnerships, and market-leading infrastructure, you'll have the tools and network to thrive.
• People-First Culture: Our values - Drive Impact, Achieve More Together, Show You Care, Stand Up - shape every part of how we work.
• Growth & Ownership: You'll benefit from dedicated L&D support, leadership development, and a long-term incentive plan aligned with shared success.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

We believe diversity drives better outcomes - for our clients, our candidates, and the planet. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences. If you believe you can contribute to our mission, we'd love to hear from you.

Ready to build the future of finance with us?

If you're excited by the opportunity to lead high-impact searches and shape the sustainability agenda within the financial sector, you're in the right place.

To find out more, click through to our internal recruitment brochure here.