Sustainability Specialist - Senior

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 operational 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 a sustainability specialist with expertise in sustainable design strategy and analysis, including: setting project goals for carbon and related performance metrics, quantifying performance of design options, and collaborating with design teams to develop effective strategies to improve performance. The focus of this role is a combination of technical skill, mentorship, and business development across all design types.  

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 New York Climate Action Studio 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 

• Integrate with design teams to identify opportunities and elevate sustainability for a wide range of world class clients, and projects ranging from commercial interiors to ground up buildings and real estate portfolios 
• Lead the workflow planning, coordination, and ongoing guidance for multi-disciplinary project teams of researchers, designers, strategists, and stakeholders to generate transformative ideas and implementable decarbonization strategies. 
• Design and support engaging workshops with internal teams, clients, and other stakeholders
• 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
• Develop compelling communications that help clients to visualize and understand the benefits and implications of our strategies and recommendations
• Provide oversight and coordinate integration of BIM, lifecycle assessment, energy modeling, daylighting and other technical analysis in projects, including fee management and staffing 
• Mentor and support the growth of sustainable design skills within both the Climate Action Studio and the larger New York office
• Oversee and manage development of internal tools and resources to deliver sustainable design efficiently and effectively
• Stimulate internal knowledge and interest in new innovations, technologies, and approaches, educating staff in their use and application; stay up to date with current industry trends, research, and New York specific sustainability related building codes and initiatives
• Support business development for sustainability consulting opportunities, including scoping and writing proposals for new client engagements. Imagine new ways of working and craft project scopes that clients will be excited about. 
• Interface with diverse leadership groups within the New York office on research and sustainability initiatives, with a focus on decarbonization.

Minimum Qualifications

• 6-10+ years of post-graduate experience in a similar role, preferable within the New York region
• Bachelor or Master’s degree in sustainable building, architecture, engineering, interiors or related field, or equivalent work experience 
• Extensive knowledge of sustainable design strategies with specific expertise in sustainable materials criteria, building systems, building performance analytics, climatic and passive design principles, and integrative design practice.
• Subject matter expertise in both embodied and operational carbon, developed through experience in delivering sustainability analytics and lifecycle assessment for buildings
• Comfortable facilitating large team discussions and navigating project-specific challenges
• Well-organized, with previous experience in project management and/or managing tasks across multiple projects and teams
• Intellectual curiosity, eagerness to engage with others, and willingness to contribute to a healthy workplace culture
• Detail-oriented, creative problem-solver with a collaborative, solutions-oriented working style 
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, excellent graphic presentation skills, and the ability to present in front of large groups Strong knowledge of integrative design practice, project management, and consultant coordination 
• Knowledgeable in third-party green building rating systems (LEED, WELL, Passivehaus, Living Building Challenge, ILFI Zero Carbon Certification, etc.)  

Preferred Qualifications 

• Experience with organizational carbon footprint calculations, climate action planning, climate change resiliency assessment and planning, and/or environmental and social governance (ESG)
• Proficient user of building simulation and LCA software including OpenStudio/EnergyPlus, Climate Studio, OneClick LCA, and/or Tally 
• Proficient user of design software including Revit, Rhino, Grasshopper, Dynamo 
• Previous experience developing and delivering training programs or educational courses
• Experience with relational databases and data analytics software such as R, Tableau, or PowerBI 

All applications must include a portfolio for full consideration.

**The base salary range will be estimated between $90-$115K plus bonuses and benefits and contingent on relevant experience.

Life at Gensler

At Gensler, 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 Awareness Week,” our offices reflect our people’s 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 firm’s 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.