Sustainability - Strategy Associate - Summer / Fall 2026

PricewaterhouseCoopers • Rosemont, IL

7d

About The Position

At PwC, our people in sustainability focus on integrating environmental, social, economic, and governance considerations into business strategies and operations. They provide guidance and support to organisations by managing sustainability risks, identifying opportunities, and driving positive social and environmental impact. As a sustainability generalist at PwC, you will utilise your skills and experience across environmental, social, governance (ESG) topics and sustainability more broadly. You will analyse client needs and provide consulting services across different areas in the sustainability lifecycle, including strategy, transformation, and reporting. Driven by curiosity, you are a reliable, contributing member of a team. In our fast-paced environment, you are expected to adapt to working with a variety of clients and team members, each presenting varying challenges and scope. Every experience is an opportunity to learn and grow. You are expected to take ownership and consistently deliver quality work that drives value for our clients and success as a team. As you navigate through the Firm, you build a brand for yourself, opening doors to more opportunities. Examples of the skills, knowledge, and experiences you need to lead and deliver value at this level include but are not limited to: Apply a learning mindset and take ownership for your own development. Appreciate diverse perspectives, needs, and feelings of others. Adopt habits to sustain high performance and develop your potential. Actively listen, ask questions to check understanding, and clearly express ideas. Seek, reflect, act on, and give feedback. Gather information from a range of sources to analyse facts and discern patterns. Commit to understanding how the business works and building commercial awareness. Learn and apply professional and technical standards (e.g. refer to specific PwC tax and audit guidance), uphold the Firm's code of conduct and independence requirements. The Opportunity As a Sustainability - Strategy & Operations Associate, you will engage in projects that focus on sustainability initiatives, including carbon footprint measurement, climate change adaptation, and energy transition financing. You will contribute to client engagements by analyzing data, managing resources, and developing strategies to address climate change impacts and risks. As an Associate, you will be driven by curiosity and adaptability, learning to build meaningful client connections and deliver quality work. You will support senior staff, participate in project tasks, and develop your skills and knowledge to anticipate the needs of your teams and clients. In this role, you will be part of a dynamic team that leverages data analytics and resource management to drive impactful sustainability solutions. You will have the opportunity to deepen your understanding of sustainability governance and environmental policy, while contributing to the development of innovative strategies for climate finance and carbon accounting. This position offers a chance to grow your personal brand and technical skills, while navigating complex situations and embracing opportunities for professional development.

Requirements

• Currently pursuing or have completed a Bachelor's degree in at least one of the following field(s) of study: Environmental Economics, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Management, Environmental Science, Public Policy Analysis, Sustainable Resource Management
• At least a 3.0 overall GPA
• Client service associate positions are entry-level roles intended for job seekers who are completing or have recently completed their final academic year of educational requirements

Nice To Haves

• Preference for one of the following fields of study: Biological Sciences, Finance, Risk Management
• Preference for a 3.3 overall GPA
• Demonstrating proficiency in carbon accounting and carbon footprint analysis
• Applying knowledge of climate change impacts and risks in strategic planning
• Utilizing data analysis and data analytics for sustainability projects
• Engaging in climate change adaptation program design
• Developing resource management strategies for sustainable development
• Excelling in active listening and communication within team environments

Responsibilities

• Supporting client engagement by contributing to sustainability strategy and operations projects
• Assisting in the development and implementation of carbon accounting and carbon footprint reduction initiatives
• Engaging in data analysis to inform climate change adaptation program design and impact evaluation
• Participating in the assessment of climate change impacts and risks to develop mitigation strategies
• Collaborating with teams to design and execute energy transition financing and investment strategies
• Conducting maturity assessments to evaluate the effectiveness of sustainability processes and capabilities
• Analyzing transition risks and developing strategies to manage these during organizational changes
• Assisting in the preparation of climate reporting and sustainability governance documentation
• Contributing to the development of internal carbon pricing mechanisms and carbon trading strategies
• Engaging in resource management to optimize the deployment of organizational resources in sustainability projects

Benefits

• PwC offers a wide range of benefits, including medical, dental, vision, 401k, holiday pay, vacation, personal and family sick leave, and more.
• All hired individuals are eligible for an annual discretionary bonus.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees