Principal Consultant

About CRU:
CRU International is a leading provider of business intelligence and consulting services in the metals, mining, and fertilizer industries. With over 50 years of experience, we offer valuable insights and analysis that help our clients make informed decisions in an ever-changing global market.

About the role:
CRU is seeking a Principal Consultant to join our thriving consulting division and help drive growth across EMEA and globally. This is a senior leadership role for a commercially minded consultant who can develop client relationships, win new business, and lead the delivery of high-impact consulting projects. You will play a key role in shaping the future of the team through intellectual leadership, mentoring, and collaboration across the wider business.

Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain strong client relationships, promoting CRU consulting services across the EMEA region and globally
• Identify and develop new project opportunities using personal leads and leads from across CRU business units
• Contribute ideas to business development and departmental marketing discussions
• Negotiate project contracts, ensuring clear scope, timescale, value, and profitability
• Present, follow up, and resolve client queries related to projects and proposals
• Act as project director or senior advisor on consulting assignments
• Define project strategy, secure appropriate resource, and communicate objectives clearly to all stakeholders
• Lead and develop consultants through direct line management and mentoring
• Support the active development and appraisal process within the consulting team
• Collaborate with colleagues across CRU to improve client offerings and share best practices and case studies
• Contribute to internal initiatives led by the London management team
• Provide intellectual leadership through innovation, knowledge transfer, and original insight
• Support the development of new knowledge and content relevant to clients and the mining and metals industry

Requirements

Qualifications:

• Essential: Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, such as Economics, Engineering, or a related discipline
• Desirable: Master’s degree or MBA

Skills & Experience:

• Extensive project management experience, ideally in consulting
• Experience working across multiple locations and cultures
• Strong people management and mentoring experience
• Deep understanding of the metals, mining, and/or energy transition and battery value chains and markets
• Proven success in business development and marketing contributions
• Line management experience is desirable
• Strong leadership, influence, and motivation skills
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic, results-driven environment
• Confident decision-making and clear direction in ambiguous situations
• Commercially minded with a strong focus on client value and quality
• Positive, collaborative, and approachable working style
• Commitment to supporting cross-organisational initiatives
• Strong mentoring mindset and willingness to share knowledge constructively
• High energy, enthusiasm, and a goal-oriented approach
• Experience leading projects and teams with a focus on excellence

Benefits

What We Offer:

• Competitive salary and flexible benefits package.
• Opportunities for professional growth and development as part of a global company.
• A collaborative and supportive work environment.
• The chance to work with industry-leading experts and over a diverse range of topics and projects.