Sustainability Data Optimization Manager

JLL•San Jose, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

JLL is seeking a Sustainability Data Optimization Manager to lead their Sustainability practice, focusing on real estate data optimization. This role is the central authority for utility cost management, consumption data governance, and sustainability reporting integrity. The position is responsible for timely and accurate payment of utility invoices across the US and Canada, collecting and integrating global utility cost and consumption data, and executing client-facing data verification processes. It combines energy management, financial operations, and data integration to drive operational efficiency and corporate sustainability goals. The ideal candidate has certified energy management expertise, accounts payable process knowledge, and proficiency in data integration tools. This individual will collaborate with Finance, Sustainability, Facilities, IT, and external clients to ensure energy and utility data is accurate, timely, audit-ready, and actionable.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Energy Management, Environmental Science, Engineering, Accounting, Finance, Sustainability, or a closely related field.
5+ years of progressive experience in energy management, utility data management, sustainability reporting, or a closely related role.
Demonstrated experience managing utility bill payment processes and/or accounts payable workflows in a multi-site, corporate environment.
Hands-on experience with utility bill management or energy management software platforms (e.g., ExpenseSmart, SAP, Ariba, EnVizi or equivalent).
Experience developing or managing data integrations between energy management systems and enterprise platforms (ERP, BI tools, or sustainability platforms).
Experience with client-facing data verification, audit support, or assurance processes related to sustainability or financial data.
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel (advanced), Power BI, or other data analysis and visualization tools.
Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in a related discipline.
Experience supporting utility bill management across both the United States and Canada.
Familiarity with US and Canadian utility market structures, provincial rate regulations, and energy reporting requirements.
Experience with ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager administration, including API data integrations and municipal benchmarking submissions.
Background in corporate real estate, facility management, or outsourced energy/sustainability services.
Knowledge of ESG and sustainability reporting frameworks: CDP, GRI, TCFD, ISSB, CSRD, GRESB.
Experience with ETL pipeline development, SQL, or scripting languages (Python, R) for data management.
Experience with GHG accounting frameworks (GHG Protocol Scope 1, 2, and 3), including preparation of emissions inventories and regulatory or voluntary disclosures.
Certified Energy Manager (CEM) — AEE
LEED AP or Green Associate — USGBC
Certified Sustainability Professional (CSP)
Project Management Professional (PMP)

Responsibilities

Oversee the end-to-end utility invoice payment process for all US and Canadian accounts, ensuring accurate coding, timely payment, and elimination of late fees.
Review and audit utility invoices (electricity, natural gas, water/sewer, steam, and other commodities) against applicable rates, tariffs, and contracted terms.
Serve as the primary liaison between the Energy & Sustainability team and client Accounts Payable (AP) and Procurement teams.
Identify and resolve billing discrepancies, duplicate charges, rate misapplications, and missing invoices in collaboration with utility vendors.
Maintain complete, accurate vendor account records and ensure prompt reflection of account transfers, new accounts, and disconnections in bill management systems.
Monitor and manage utility payment exceptions; escalate unresolved issues and track resolution to closure.
Support the development and maintenance of utility payment procedures, internal controls, and compliance documentation.
Lead the collection, validation, and centralized management of utility cost and consumption data across the client’s portfolio.
Administer and optimize the enterprise utility bill management platform, ensuring data completeness, integrity, and timeliness.
Establish and enforce standardized data quality protocols, including unit normalization, currency conversion, time-period alignment, and standard data entry processes.
Develop and maintain automated data pipelines and integration frameworks for timely ingestion of utility data from multiple sources.
Coordinate with regional energy managers, facility teams, and country-level contacts to obtain missing data and resolve gaps.
Maintain and manage accounts within EnVizi and other benchmarking platforms.
Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual utility cost and consumption reports with variance analysis and commentary.
Support the development and tracking of energy budgets, accruals, and forecasts.
Lead the client’s quarterly and annual data verification process for assigned portfolio locations.
Design, implement, and manage integrations between the utility bill management platform and enterprise systems (ERP/financial systems, sustainability reporting platforms, BI/visualization tools).
Collaborate with IT and third-party software vendors to develop API connections, ETL pipelines, and automated data flows.
Troubleshoot and resolve data integration issues, platform errors, and feed failures; maintain integration documentation and version control.
Evaluate and recommend new technologies, platforms, and tools to enhance data integration capabilities and reporting efficiency.
Support the rollout and adoption of new data management capabilities, including training internal staff and client teams.
Execute and continuously improve the client-facing data verification process, ensuring data accuracy, completeness, traceability, and audit-readiness.
Serve as the primary point of contact for external assurance providers, auditors, and client representatives during data verification and assurance engagements.
Prepare documentation, source data evidence, audit trails, and data dictionaries required for assurance reviews.
Investigate and communicate significant data variances to clients, providing root cause analysis and corrective action recommendations.
Develop and maintain standardized data verification templates, checklists, and procedures.
Respond to client inquiries regarding data methodology, platform outputs, and sustainability reporting.