Sustainability Strategist

Gensler • Houston, TX

4d • Onsite

About The Position

Gensler's work reflects an enduring commitment to sustainability and the belief that design is one of the most powerful strategic tools for innovation and enduring success. Our integrated sustainability delivery model provides complete sustainable design services including, strategic visioning, energy and daylighting analysis, and third-party certification coordination. Your Role 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 South 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 G uide sustainability focused project work, with oversight 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 Undertake performance analysis including but not limited to embodied carbon/whole- building lifecycle analysis, daylight, energy, and climate to determine impact on clients’ project and organizational goals, and/or performance criteria for sustainable design solutions Coordinate integration of BIM, lifecycle assessment, energy modeling, daylighting and other technical analysis in projects Synthesize information and data into narratives told through presentations and reports Identify and maintain awareness of current and emerging technologies, tools, and methods as they impact the delivery of green building design Track Federal, State, and local regulations and incentives and provide guidance to clients Ensure sustainable design projects status are integrated into Gensler Digital Library Your Qualifications Bachelor or Master’s degree in sustainable building, architecture, interiors or related field 0-3 years of experience in a related field LEED Accreditation, or commitment to obtaining it required Strong knowledge of lifecycle assessments, integration of embodied carbon into sustainability goals, and building performance analytics Strong knowledge of building systems, climatic and passive design principles, integrative design practices, and consultant coordination Ability to provide technical insight in other areas of high-performance sustainability a plus (e.g. certification management, specification writing, materials selection, cost and life cycle studies, etc.) Proficient with LEED Online, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, InDesign. building simulation and LCA software Proficiency with Texas State Energy Code, ASHRAE standards, and local laws Familiarity with Revit, Rhino, and Grasshopper Familiarity with digital collaboration tools such as Microsoft Teams, Miro and/or Mural Self-directed and able to synthesize new information quickly Strong writing, communication, speaking, organizational skills, and technical presentation ability Experience with organizational carbon footprinting, climate action planning, climate change resiliency assessment, and/or environmental and social governance (ESG) a plus Experience with data science, coding, and data visualization a plus Proficiency with Passivhaus and/or THERM a plus This position is in-person. Successful candidates will be located in the Houston, Texas area. If you’re open to relocating to the area, please apply! Non-local candidates are welcome. U.S. News & World Report’s 2025-2026 study ranks Houston in the top 10 Best Big Cities to Live in the U.S.! 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.

Requirements

• Bachelor or Master’s degree in sustainable building, architecture, interiors or related field
• 0-3 years of experience in a related field
• LEED Accreditation, or commitment to obtaining it required
• Strong knowledge of lifecycle assessments, integration of embodied carbon into sustainability goals, and building performance analytics
• Strong knowledge of building systems, climatic and passive design principles, integrative design practices, and consultant coordination
• Proficient with LEED Online, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, InDesign. building simulation and LCA software
• Proficiency with Texas State Energy Code, ASHRAE standards, and local laws
• Familiarity with Revit, Rhino, and Grasshopper
• Familiarity with digital collaboration tools such as Microsoft Teams, Miro and/or Mural
• Self-directed and able to synthesize new information quickly
• Strong writing, communication, speaking, organizational skills, and technical presentation ability

Nice To Haves

• Ability to provide technical insight in other areas of high-performance sustainability a plus (e.g. certification management, specification writing, materials selection, cost and life cycle studies, etc.)
• Experience with organizational carbon footprinting, climate action planning, climate change resiliency assessment, and/or environmental and social governance (ESG) a plus
• Experience with data science, coding, and data visualization a plus
• Proficiency with Passivhaus and/or THERM a plus

Responsibilities

• Guide sustainability focused project work, with oversight 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
• Undertake performance analysis including but not limited to embodied carbon/whole- building lifecycle analysis, daylight, energy, and climate to determine impact on clients’ project and organizational goals, and/or performance criteria for sustainable design solutions
• Coordinate integration of BIM, lifecycle assessment, energy modeling, daylighting and other technical analysis in projects
• Synthesize information and data into narratives told through presentations and reports
• Identify and maintain awareness of current and emerging technologies, tools, and methods as they impact the delivery of green building design
• Track Federal, State, and local regulations and incentives and provide guidance to clients
• Ensure sustainable design projects status are integrated into Gensler Digital Library

Benefits

• comprehensive benefits include medical, dental, vision, disability, wellness programs, flex spending, paid holidays, and paid time off
• 401k
• profit sharing
• employee stock ownership
• twice annual bonus opportunities
• Gensler offers reimbursement for certain professional licenses and associated renewals and exam fees
• we reimburse tuition for certain eligible programs or classes

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees