Sustainability Manager

Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield SE is seeking a Sustainability Manager in San Jose, CA, to lead utility decarbonization efforts and collaborate with teams on sustainability strategies. The role involves stakeholder engagement, overseeing sustainability contracts, advancing certifications like BREEAM and LEED, and contributing to long-term environmental action plans. The manager will also assess climate-related financial risks and integrate sustainable initiatives into business strategies.
What we offer URW distinguishes itself by its Better Places 2030 agenda that sets its ambition to create better places that respect the highest environmental standards and contribute to better cities. At the forefront of innovation, our 3,700 talented professionals are preparing for future generations of customers. Our skills, engagement and teamwork are key to driving performance and generating superior value.

Job Summary We're looking for a Sustainability Manager to be part of a growing sustainability program who is a collaborative professional and possesses the expertise necessary for this role. Reporting to the VP Tenant Coordination and Sustainability, the Sustainability Manager will primarily be responsible for helping to develop and oversee company-wide utility decarbonization efforts. This role will work directly with our Corporate and Shopping Center teams to develop and implement executable strategies that are aligned with our sustainability objectives.

Working closely with internal and external stakeholders the Sustainability Manager will play a key role in URW's mission of Creating Sustainable Places That Reinvent Being Together.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities Leadership and Stakeholder Engagement Prepare, lead and participate in group-level discussions on sustainability initiatives, reporting requirements, and long-term environmental action plans.

Own the decarbonization roadmap, update the strategy annually to meet evolving goals, and communicate vision to internal teams.

Collaborate cross-functionally with internal teams and external partners to improve utility tracking practices and provide data to support energy curtailment projects.

Work with Shopping Center Management teams to justify and prioritize capital investments in energy-saving initiatives, including the development of detailed payback models.

Oversee third-party sustainability contracts, ensuring deliverables are met on time and align with contractual standards.

Oversee the reconciliation of Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) to ensure financial optimization.

Advance current certifications in BREEAM and LEED, staying up to date with industry best practices and sustainability standards.

Strategic Planning and Climate Risk Continuously research and evaluate innovative sustainability solutions with high impact and strong return potential, aligning them with the decarbonization roadmap to drive meaningful environmental and economic benefits.

Partner with the Senior Director of National Operations to roll out sustainability initiatives, including biodiversity programs, food reuse efforts, and waste reduction strategies.

Actively contribute to the sustainability section of the annual 5-year business plan, including the development of clean energy, water, and waste curtailment strategies and actionable field-level sustainability roadmaps.

Contribute to future development planning by identifying and integrating sustainable initiatives, including biodiversity enhancement, clean energy solutions, energy storage, and other measures.

Work with finance and operations to leverage state and federal sustainability incentives.

Assess climate-related financial risks and opportunities in partnership with Operations that could impact asset valuation and long-term business strategy.

Sustainability Reporting Oversee the annual sustainability reporting process, ensuring compliance with both group-level objectives and regulatory disclosure requirements across all U.S. assets.

Prepare and deliver quarterly updates on energy performance, including analysis of energy intensity, emissions, and asset-level metrics for electricity, gas, and water usage.

Collaborate with the legal team to monitor and address emerging local, state, federal, and global regulations related to utility and carbon emissions disclosures, assessing potential business impacts.

Conduct monthly quality control audits of utility data to ensure accuracy and consistency ahead of the annual reporting cycle.

Stakeholder Engagement Partner with the marketing team to create and execute external communication plans that promote sustainability best practices and engage local communities.

Liaise with tenants to align on their sustainability goals and objectives, fostering collaboration to enhance mutual support in achieving shared sustainability initiatives.

Other Responsibilities Perform additional duties as assigned to support the company's sustainability objectives.

Demonstrated Skills Understanding of the regulated and deregulated energy procurement process, utility rate analysis and utility contracts.

Ability to lead cross functionally, effective delegation, and mentorship to drive team performance.

Proven record of providing excellent internal and external customer service; needs to have excellent interpersonal skills, negotiating and presentation skills, detail orientated, and strong verbal and written communication.

Capable of thriving in a team-oriented environment and can work independently with…