Associate- Materials & Circular Focus

Company Description Systemiq is a system change company and certified B Corp, driving the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement on climate change. We work across five critical systems—energy, nature and food, materials and circular economy, sustainable finance, and urban transformation—to deliver real, lasting impact. We believe systems change starts with people change. That means curiosity, collaboration, and inclusion are at the heart of how we work.

Since our start in 2016, we have grown to more than 300+ people working across locations in Brazil, Germany, France, Indonesia, Netherlands, UK and the US. We are a pure-play sustainability-focused company, dedicated exclusively to sustainability projects.

London Option

As a Strategy Associate, you will play a key role in delivering high-impact advisory work within the Materials and Circular Economy platform. This is a client-facing role requiring strong structured problem-solving, analytical thinking, and the ability to translate complex topics into clear, actionable recommendations.

You will work as part of small, fast-paced project teams supporting corporate and public sector clients on strategic questions related to circularity and sustainability. This includes framing problems, analysing data, developing insights, and contributing to client-ready outputs.

We are looking for someone who either brings experience from a strategy consulting or advisory environment, or who can quickly operate at that level—demonstrating strong analytical rigour, clear communication, and comfort working in ambiguity.

Responsibilities:

• Structure complex, ambiguous problems into clear workstreams and key questions
• Conduct rigorous qualitative and quantitative analysis to generate insights
• Translate analysis into clear, concise, and compelling recommendations (often in slide format)
• Support the development of client deliverables and presentations
• Work directly with clients and partners across private sector, government, and NGOs
• Contribute to shaping project approaches, hypotheses, and strategic direction
• Build strong, trust-based relationships with stakeholders across multi-partner initiatives

Leadership: You will be part of the Materials & Circular Economy team, led by Partner Ben Dixon. Ben works across the circular economy and energy platforms and has collaborated with clients like the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, the United Nations International Resource Panel, and large multinational companies in the packaging and chemicals industries. He also manages SYSTEMIQ’s work on plastics, contributing to a circular, less wasteful plastic packaging industry.

Requirements

Strategy & Analytical Capability

We are looking for candidates who can operate with the core toolkit of a strategy consultant, or demonstrate the potential to rapidly develop it. This includes:

• Strong structured problem-solving skills (ability to break down complex, ambiguous problems into clear components and hypotheses)
• Experience contributing to strategy, advisory, or decision-focused work
• Ability to synthesise complex information into clear, concise insights and actionable recommendations
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including developing clear, client-ready materials (e.g. slides, briefings)
• Comfort working in fast-paced environments with ambiguity and evolving priorities

Experience & Background

• 2+ years of experience in strategy consulting, advisory, or similarly analytical and fast-paced environments
• We also welcome candidates from start-ups, in-house strategy, investment, or project-based roles who can demonstrate equivalent analytical rigour and structured thinking
• Master’s degree or equivalent academic achievement
• Strong track record of professional and/or academic excellence

Sector & Content Awareness

• Understanding of key concepts and value chains across one or more relevant sectors (e.g. plastics, petrochemicals, energy, mobility, consumer goods, manufacturing, waste management, etc.)
• Interest in sustainability, circular economy, and system change

Amsterdam can  also work for this role for the right candidate and experience background.

 

 

Diversity & Inclusion At Systemiq, we believe that diversity and inclusion are crucial to system change and our mission. We are committed to:

• Embedding diverse and inclusive practices in all aspects of our work, including recruitment, performance management, and people processes and policies.
• Providing a supportive environment where everyone can be themselves and perform at their best, regardless of background, personality, gender, sexual orientation, race, mental health, religion, or other characteristics.
• Supporting our people through all life stages, accommodating personal priorities, and promoting a sustainable approach to work and life.

Reward and Recognition The remuneration and benefits package will reflect the successful candidate's experience and expertise.

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