ERM Consulting: Careers, Practice Areas, Salaries, and Opportunities

ERM consulting is a global firm specializing in environmental sustainability, risk management, and health, safety, and social consulting services. The firm helps organizations address complex environmental and operational challenges while promoting sustainable business practices. This article explores ERM’s services, history, careers, internships, practice areas, salaries, culture, and opportunities for aspiring consultants.

TL;DR - What You Need to Know

• ERM consulting helps clients improve sustainability, manage environmental risks, and optimize operations across industries worldwide.
• CEO Tom Reichert leads ERM, a global firm with 6,000+ employees, 160+ locations, and $1.2 billion in revenue.
• ERM practice areas include corporate sustainability, EHS management, low-carbon transitions, and operational performance consulting.
• ERM careers and internships provide hands-on sustainability consulting experience, global exposure, and professional growth opportunities.
• Experience at ERM opens strong exit opportunities in ESG roles, corporate sustainability, strategy consulting, and environmental management careers.

What Does ERM Consulting Mean and What Does the Company Do?

ERM consulting, short for Environmental Resources Management, helps organizations improve sustainability, manage environmental risks, and comply with health and safety regulations. Its services combine strategy, technical expertise, and data-driven solutions to enhance long-term environmental performance across industries such as mining, energy, chemicals, and technology.

Key areas of their work include:

• Corporate sustainability and climate change: Reducing carbon footprints and developing low-carbon strategies
• Environmental, health, and safety (EHS) management: Ensuring compliance and safe operations
• Operational performance: Optimizing processes for efficiency and sustainability
• Digital services: Leveraging technology and analytics to track performance
• Product stewardship and liability management: Managing risks and remediation

Who Leads ERM and What Are the Key Firm Stats?

ERM consulting is led by CEO Tom Reichert and operates in 160+ countries with over 6,000 employees, generating around $1.2 billion in annual revenue. The firm’s global reach and scale enable it to deliver complex environmental, sustainability, and operational solutions for clients worldwide.

Key statistics:

• CEO: Tom Reichert
• Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
• Employees: 6,000+
• Locations: 160+ countries
• Annual Revenue: $1.2 billion

What Is the History of ERM Consulting?

Founded in 1987 through the merger of ERM and ERL, ERM consulting has grown globally by acquiring more than 30 firms, including Pacific Environment Consulting and SustainAbility Ltd. These strategic moves expanded its sustainability, EHS, and operational performance capabilities while strengthening its international presence.

Timeline highlights:

• 1987: Formation through ERM and ERL merger
• 1990s to 2000s: Expansion into North America, Asia, and Europe
• 2010s to Present: Strategic acquisitions to broaden consulting services
• Current: 160+ locations worldwide

What Are the Main Practice Areas of ERM Consulting?

ERM consulting provides services across corporate sustainability, low-carbon economy transition, EHS management, operational performance, and digital solutions. Consultants work across industries to improve environmental compliance, efficiency, and resilience, helping organizations achieve both regulatory and sustainability goals.

Practice areas include:

• Corporate sustainability and climate change
• Mergers and acquisitions support
• Capital project delivery
• Low carbon economy transition
• Operational performance consulting
• EHS management and compliance
• Liability portfolio management and remediation
• Safety services
• Digital services and analytics
• Product stewardship

How Can You Build a Career at ERM Consulting?

Careers at ERM consulting offer roles in sustainability, environmental management, and operational consulting with global exposure and professional growth opportunities. Positions include consultants, senior consultants, specialists, and leadership tracks, allowing hands-on experience in complex sustainability projects across multiple industries.

Opportunities include:

• Consultant and Senior Consultant roles
• Specialist positions in climate change, energy, water, and EHS
• Leadership and management tracks
• Global project experience

Does ERM Offer Internships and How Can You Apply?

ERM internships typically last 8–12 weeks and provide students and recent graduates with project-based experience in sustainability, EHS management, and operational performance. Applicants can apply via the ERM careers portal, gaining mentorship, global exposure, and practical consulting skills that can lead to full-time roles.

Internship highlights:

• Duration: 8 to 12 weeks
• Roles: EHS, climate change strategy, digital services, operational performance
• Application: Resume and cover letter via ERM careers portal
• Learning outcomes: Hands-on consulting experience, client engagement, mentorship

What Is the Culture Like at ERM Consulting?

ERM consulting fosters a collaborative, inclusive, and sustainability-driven culture. Employees are motivated by meaningful projects, professional growth, and global exposure, while navigating client-focused responsibilities, mentorship programs, and opportunities to develop expertise across environmental and operational consulting.

Key aspects:

• Collaboration across offices and disciplines
• Passion for sustainability and meaningful work
• Inclusion and diversity programs
• Mentorship, internal training, and professional growth
• Challenges: client-focused billable hours and detailed processes

How Are ERM Consulting Interviews Structured?

ERM interviews focus on behavioral and situational questions, assessing teamwork, problem-solving, and alignment with sustainability consulting values. Candidates typically meet with HR, recruiters, and senior consultants, discussing experiences, project approaches, and understanding of ERM’s practice areas.

Example questions:

• What is your ideal role in sustainability consulting?
• Describe a time you faced difficulty during a team project
• Where do you see yourself in five years?
• How would you pitch a sustainability proposal to a client?

What Are the Salaries and Benefits at ERM Consulting?

ERM consulting offers competitive salaries and benefits, including health coverage, paid time off, and professional development programs. Typical roles include Consultant (~$109,750/year), Senior Consultant (~$133,500/year), Project Manager (~$106,400/year), and Staff Engineer (~$130,200/year), with opportunities for global project experience.

What Exit Opportunities Does ERM Consulting Experience Offer?

Experience at ERM opens strong exit opportunities in ESG roles, corporate sustainability, strategy consulting, government agencies, NGOs, and specialist technical positions. Professionals gain expertise in environmental risk, operational performance, and ESG initiatives, making them highly competitive in sustainability-focused industries.

Key exit paths:

• Corporate sustainability and ESG leadership roles
• Strategy and management consulting
• Government and regulatory advisory
• Nonprofit and NGO sustainability programs
• Specialist technical roles in EHS, low-carbon transitions, and analytics

Frequently Asked Questions 

Q: What is ERM consulting?
A: ERM consulting is a global consulting firm specializing in environmental, health, safety, risk, and sustainability services. ERM consulting helps clients address ESG challenges, manage compliance, and transition to a low carbon economy.

Q: Does ERM pay well?
A: ERM salaries are competitive compared to other environmental sustainability consulting firms. Whether at the graduate or senior level, ERM pay reflects industry standards and varies by role, region, and experience.

Q: Is ERM consulting a good company to work for?
A: ERM consulting is considered a good company to work for, offering diverse ERM careers, international projects, and strong training in sustainability and risk management. Employees highlight the firm’s mission-driven culture and global opportunities.

Q: How much do ERM graduate consultants make?
A: ERM graduate consultants typically earn entry-level salaries aligned with the environmental consulting industry. Exact ERM salaries vary by country and office, but compensation is competitive with similar consulting career paths.

Q: Is it hard to get hired at ERM?
A: It can be challenging to get hired at ERM because the firm attracts candidates passionate about ESG consulting services and sustainability. Success usually requires strong academic credentials, relevant experience, and clear motivation for ERM careers.