Sustainability Strategist – Climate Action & Sustainability – Mid Level

Gensler is hiring a mid-level Sustainability Strategist in Chicago, IL, to lead sustainability consulting for diverse clients and projects. Responsibilities include developing sustainability strategies, managing certification processes, conducting workshops, and analyzing project impacts. The role requires collaboration with interdisciplinary teams, client communication, and project management. Gensler aims for carbon neutrality by 2030 and seeks committed individuals to drive significant reductions in carbon associated with the built environment.
At Gensler we are committed to ensuring that by 2030 all our projects are carbon neutral. The

Gensler Cities Climate Challenge (GC3)
announced in September of 2019 is driving significant effort within our teams and in our partnerships with clients and industry toward aggressive reductions in all operating and embodied carbon associated with the built environment. We are looking for equally committed members to join our team of sustainable design leaders. Your Role Gensler is seeking an experienced Sustainability Specialist to lead or participate in consulting engagements that provide sustainability strategies for a wide range of world class clients and projects ranging from commercial interiors to ground up buildings and real estate portfolios. Additionally, you may manage the certification process and provide design guidance on projects pursuing LEED, Living Building Challenge, WELL Building Standard, Fitwel and/or Net Zero Building Certification.



As a Sustainability Specialist at Gensler, you will join a highly creative, collaborative team dedicated to innovative problem solving and design excellence. You will work with the North Central Sustainability Consulting team in providing a full spectrum of sustainability advisory and support to clients and project teams, from pre-design through post-occupancy.



What You Will Do




Lead and guide sustainability focused project work, with guidance from Sustainability Directors, including the development of design guidelines and materials standards, sustainable strategy identification and goal setting for single projects and portfolios of buildings



Design and support engaging workshops with internal teams, clients, and other stakeholders



Analyze complex and differing information from multiple sources to determine impact on clients project and organizational goals, and/or performance criteria for sustainable design solutions



Synthesize information and data into narratives told through presentations and reports



Develop compelling communications that help clients to visualize and understand the benefits and implications of our strategies and recommendations



Use interdisciplinary thinking and collaboration to ground all ideas in research insights and design constraints



Project work may also include third party certification management and performance analysis for projects of a variety of types and sizes



Lead the workflow planning, coordination, and administration for multi-disciplinary project teams of researchers, designers, strategists, and stakeholders to generate transformative ideas and implementable strategies



Provide leadership to our client and internal teams by communicating project objectives, scope, terms, and schedule



Scope and write proposals for new client engagements. Imagine new ways of working and craft project scopes that clients will be excited about



Be the primary point of contact for the client, responding to clients requests and communications in a timely manner



Arrange and prepare for client touchpoints, documenting decisions made, action items, and deadlines



Track and manage financial performance of project for success (e.g., work plan, schedule, fees, change orders, invoices, and collections)



Work closely with the Studio Director and other team leaders to address and resolve project and team member staffing needs



Continually seek opportunities to help us work in smarter and more effective ways



Assist in implementing firmwide sustainability goals within the North Central region, staying up to date with current industry trends, research, and Chicago, Minneapolis, and Detroit specific sustainability related building codes and initiatives.




Your Qualifications




Bachelor or master's degree in Sustainability, Architecture, Interior Design, or a related field



At least one built-environment specific degree is required



6 to 10 years of experience in the sustainability field



Experience developing sustainable design guidelines and frameworks



Deep knowledge of design and construction process and understanding of key stakeholders



Extensive knowledge of sustainable design strategies with specific expertise in sustainable materials criteria



Expertise in third-party sustainable building and product certifications



Ability to work independently and on multiple projects simultaneously



Strong written and verbal communication skills, excellent graphic presentation skills, and the ability to present in front of large groups



Intellectual curiosity, eagerness to engage with others, and willingness to contribute to a healthy workplace culture



Passion for sustainability and green building




Technical requirements




Proficiency with visual communication tools including Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign preferred), and Microsoft PowerPoint



Proficiency with the full Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, Outlook)



Fluency with digital collaboration tools such as Miro, Mural, Microsoft Teams etc.



Familiarity with Salesforce a plus




Life at Gensler



Gensler is committed to

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
. Through our Five Strategies to Fight Racism, we continue to create a just and equitable future for our colleagues and our communities with our clients. We are a solid voice for social change as we impact peoples lives and fight racism. At Gensler, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace environment.



As a people-first organization, we are as committed to enjoying life as we are to delivering best-in-class design. From curated art exhibits to internal design competitions to Well-being Week, our offices reflect our peoples diverse interests.



We encourage every person at Gensler to lead a healthy and balanced life. Our comprehensive benefits include medical, dental, vision, disability, wellness programs, flex spending, paid holidays, and paid time off. We also offer a 401k, profit sharing, employee stock ownership, and twice annual bonus opportunities. Our annual base salary range has been established based on local markets.



As part of the firms commitment to licensure and professional development, Gensler offers reimbursement for certain professional licenses and associated renewals and exam fees. In addition, we reimburse tuition for certain eligible programs or classes. We view our professional development programs as strategic investments in our future.