Director, Sustainability - Strategy & Implementation

Essex Property Trust•San Mateo, CA

1d•$152,000 - $191,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director of Sustainability - Strategy & Implementation provides strategic leadership for the Company's sustainability program. The role oversees financial evaluation, project research, project delivery and implementation, and ongoing performance management. It requires extensive finance and project management experience, including independently building accurate financial models tailored to each project's technical, operational, and economic dynamics; evaluating investments against required financial metrics; and conducting forecasting and valuations. The Director leads a team delivering sustainability projects and applicable compliance requirements, aligning sustainability investments with corporate strategy, capital priorities, and long-term value creation. The Director leads sustainability project strategy and prioritization; serves as an enterprise subject matter expert on industry norms, trends, investments, technical solutions, and project costs; and guides feasibility assessment, design, investment analysis, budgeting, and project execution. The position manages projects from research and design through procurement, construction, commissioning, closeout, and performance review; oversees vendors and contracts; and provides technical, financial, and team leadership. The role also partners across the organization on sustainability reporting, data validation, compliance, and recommendations to the Sustainability Committee. Work is primarily conducted in an office environment using standard office equipment, with periodic travel potentially required for conferences, stakeholder meetings, community engagement, project sites, and corporate events. The position requires collaboration across functions and organizational levels, management of multiple priorities and deadlines, and the ability to sit or stand for extended periods. The position is based at the San Mateo corporate office and is tagged as hybrid.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Public Policy, Sustainability, Engineering, or a related field.
At least 8 years of progressive experience in sustainability or related initiatives, including substantial responsibility for project financial modeling, investment analysis, project management, and team leadership.
Extensive finance experience building and validating project-specific financial models, conducting cash-flow forecasting and valuations, and applying NPV, IRR, ROI, payback, lifecycle cost, and sensitivity analysis to investment decisions.
Understanding of capital management, budgeting, financial performance management, and the relationship between project economics, operating results, and long-term asset value.
Strong knowledge of sustainability industry norms, trends, technical solutions, green building standards, and typical project costs, with the ability to evaluate technical feasibility and commercial proposals for multifamily properties.
Experience selecting and managing vendors and negotiating project and service contracts in partnership with Legal and other stakeholders.
Experience supervising and developing a team, providing technical and financial guidance, reviewing work quality, and managing project delivery and applicable sustainability compliance obligations.
Knowledge of reporting frameworks and standards, including GRI, SASB, TCFD, ISSB, and emerging disclosure requirements.
Experience with sustainable ratings and assessments, including GRESB, MSCI, Sustainalytics, ISS, or similar organizations.
Experience contributing to sustainability reports, regulatory disclosures, and executive-level communications.
Project management experience delivering multiple sustainability or capital projects from research and design through implementation, commissioning, and performance review, including managing budgets, schedules, vendors, risks, and cross-functional dependencies.
Advanced analytical skills and ability to analyze high volumes of financial, utility, operational, and sustainability data, validate inputs, identify anomalies and trends, and communicate actionable findings.
Strong communication, presentation, and relationship-management skills.
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including complex project financial modeling, forecasting, scenario analysis, and large-dataset analysis; proficiency in PowerPoint and other Microsoft Office applications.
Ability to collaborate effectively with stakeholders across functions and organizational levels and manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and complex projects in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to sit or stand for extended periods and perform standard office-related activities.
Strong leadership skills, including setting expectations, delegating, coaching and developing a team, and holding team members accountable for project delivery, financial accuracy, and sustainability compliance.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including communicating complex ESG topics to diverse audiences.
Strong financial judgment, strategic thinking, and business acumen, balancing returns, capital constraints, technical feasibility, operational needs, and compliance obligations.
Ability to build collaborative relationships and influence stakeholders without direct authority.
Ability to translate complex financial and technical data into clear investment recommendations and performance updates.
High integrity, accountability, and attention to detail; ability to navigate evolving regulatory requirements and industry trends proactively.
Passion for sustainability, corporate responsibility, stakeholder engagement, and business and community impact.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead sustainability projects by establishing strategy and priorities, aligning investments with business objectives and capital plans, and driving continuous improvement in financial and sustainability performance.
Serve as the enterprise subject matter expert on sustainability industry norms, trends, emerging investments, technical solutions, and typical project costs; assess risks and opportunities and provide practical recommendations.
Lead research, feasibility assessments, and design planning for investments such as solar, EV charging, electrification, energy and water efficiency, and waste reduction.
Evaluate site conditions, technical alternatives, green building standards, implementation requirements, and expected costs with internal partners and technical specialists.
Develop, validate, document, and maintain project-specific financial models covering capital and operating costs, utility rates, production or savings assumptions, incentives, useful life, maintenance, replacement costs, and implementation timing.
Conduct investment analysis, cash-flow forecasting, valuations, sensitivity analyses, and scenario analyses using NPV, IRR, ROI, payback period, and lifecycle cost to assess whether proposed investments meet required financial metrics.
Prepare project business cases, capital budgets, and spending forecasts; prioritize investments with Finance and Investment Management; and update models and recommendations as project scope, costs, or assumptions change.
Analyze financial, utility, operational, and sustainability data; establish baselines and dashboards; monitor project performance against approved models; investigate variances; and recommend corrective actions.
Manage projects from research and design through procurement, construction, commissioning, and closeout, establishing scope, budgets, schedules, milestones, and accountability while coordinating stakeholders and vendors.
Lead competitive vendor selection and negotiate contract scope, pricing, payment terms, warranties, performance commitments, and service requirements in coordination with Legal and other teams; benchmark proposals and monitor vendor performance and contractual obligations.
Provide oversight, technical and financial guidance, and development support to the sustainability team; assign responsibilities, review deliverables, and establish controls for project completion and sustainability compliance.
Partner with the Director of Sustainability & Impact Report on development, execution, and enhancement of the annual Sustainability & Impact Report, helping ensure project alignment with goals and data accuracy.
Partner with cross-functional teams to deliver sustainability reporting and compliance requirements, establishing data validation and quality-review controls.
Represent the Sustainability Committee by identifying priorities, sharing market insights, and recommending strategic actions.