If you want to work for an award‑winning strategic communications consultancy, working on cutting edge corporate reporting with some of the world’s leading companies, this is the role.

Overview of the role

As an Associate Director, you will take the lead for Advisory services as a key member of the client team and help grow our business. Your remit will span four main areas:

Corporate reporting leadership (core of the role)

• Lead end‑to‑end delivery of specialist reporting advice on complex annual report and corporate reporting programmes, from initial scoping and best practice content strategy through to final review.
• Help clients shape a clear, compelling value creation story – connecting business model, strategy, risks, governance, performance, remuneration and sustainability.
• Advise clients on best practice alignment with relevant reporting frameworks and regulations (for example UK Companies Act, FCA Listing Rules, UK Corporate Governance Code, UK SRSs, ISSB, CSRD, TNFD, TPT), translating technical requirements into practical, engaging disclosures.
• Run client board and senior management workshops, interviews and working sessions to challenge, refine and bring their reporting narrative to life.
• Act as the senior point of client contact for reporting questions, providing calm, informed guidance through tight timetables and shifting stakeholder input.

Sustainability and ESG advisory (increasing share of role)

• Advise clients on integrating sustainability and ESG into their corporate narrative – including strategy, risk, KPIs, targets and governance.
• Support and, where appropriate, lead work on CSRD‑aligned Sustainability Statements, UK SRS first-time adoption, ISSB‑aligned reporting and related disclosure enhancements (e.g. climate transition plans, net zero roadmaps, other topic‑specific supplements).
• Work with clients performing double materiality assessments, gap analyses and benchmarking to inform both reporting and broader sustainability communications.
• Help clients balance compliance and storytelling – ensuring disclosures are robust and regulation‑ready, while still engaging for investors and other stakeholders.

Client development and thought leadership

• Lead and grow client accounts, becoming a trusted adviser to senior stakeholders (e.g. Company Secretary, Head of Investor Relations, Group Sustainability, Corporate Affairs).
• Shape and lead pitches and new business proposals across corporate reporting, ESG and broader strategic communications, working with multidisciplinary teams across the agency and the Positive Change Group.
• Proactively identify opportunities to extend our support, from enhanced narrative and structure through to multi‑year reporting roadmaps and integrated stakeholder engagement programmes.
• Develop a network (or extend or maintain your existing network), among industry regulators, commentators and experts to ensure Black Sun maintains our ability to provide our clients with the latest insights.
• Contribute to and lead Black Sun’s thought leadership, including research, best‑practice reviews, articles, webinars and events on corporate reporting, ESG and regulatory developments.

Team leadership and internal impact

• Participate and help to lead a small team of consultants (typically 3–5): creating an environment where people stretch themselves, feel supported and do their best work.
• Lead knowledge‑sharing and training sessions on reporting frameworks, regulation and best practice across the Advisory team and the wider business.
• Take ownership of internal workstreams and improvement projects, from process optimisation to new products or services in the reporting and ESG space.
• Represent Black Sun and The Positive Change Group externally at industry events, roundtables and networks, helping to raise our profile and build our community.

Qualifications, experience & skills required:

We recognise that there are different paths into a role like this. As a guide, we’re looking for someone who can demonstrate most of the following:

• 5+ years’ experience in a relevant environment (e.g. listed corporate, corporate reporting/sustainability consultancy, communications agency, in‑house IR or corporate affairs, Big 4/Advisory).
• Deep, up‑to‑date knowledge of corporate reporting best practice and relevant frameworks, with a strong track record of delivering high‑quality annual reports or equivalent flagship corporate reporting pieces.
• Hands‑on experience with sustainability/ESG reporting, ideally including:
  • Preparation or review of wave 1 CSRD Sustainability Statements or equivalent;
  • Strong working knowledge of ISSB standards and their implications for corporate reporting;
  • Familiarity with frameworks such as UK SRSs/TCFD/TPT, GRI, SASB, UNGC and relevant indices/ratings.
• Proven ability to make the complex simple – distilling regulation, strategy and performance into clear storylines, structures and messages for investor and stakeholder audiences.
• Experience leading and motivating project teams, coaching more junior colleagues and managing multiple workstreams in a fast‑paced, deadline‑driven environment.
• Confidence engaging with senior stakeholders – from ExCo members to functional leads – and acting as a strategic sparring partner.
• A balanced skillset: rigorous and detail‑oriented, but also collaborative, commercially aware and comfortable challenging thinking constructively.
• A genuine curiosity about how reporting, ESG and stakeholder engagement are evolving – and an appetite to keep learning and sharing what you learn.

If you’re not sure you meet every point but feel you could be successful in the role, we’d still love to hear from you.

How we work and what we offer

We want you to do the best work of your career, and we know that requires the right environment as well as the right role.

• Hybrid working – a blend of time in our London office, at home and, where relevant, at client sites, flexed around projects and team needs.
• 25 days’ holiday per year plus “bonus” days for long service.
• Competitive salary and bonus scheme linked to company and individual performance.
• Personal development opportunities, including formal training, knowledge sessions and on‑the‑job learning across different sectors, disciplines and geographies.
• Group life assurance, group personal pension plan and employee assistance programme.
• The chance to work within The Positive Change Group – alongside specialist partners in brand culture, strategic communications, reporting, ESG advisory, analytics and creative storytelling.

Our recruitment process

1. Initial conversation with our Talent Acquisition Manager.
2. First interview with the hiring Director from the Advisory team.
3. Second interview with the hiring Director and other Advisory Directors, including a short presentation or task.

We aim to keep the process focused, transparent and respectful of your time.

Inclusion and belonging

We are committed to offering equal opportunities to all potential employees and have zero tolerance for discrimination. We know that great ideas come from diverse perspectives. We welcome applications