Sustainable Operations Manager

Cushman & Wakefield • Chicago, IL

1d

About The Position

The Sustainable Operations Manager is responsible for developing and implementing sustainability programs to help our clients achieve their ambitious environmental, social, and governance goals and targets. You will lead development of the energy, carbon, water, and waste reduction strategies for our clients across their regional and global operations – assessing energy efficiency, renewable energy, fuel switching, and carbon offset opportunities. To seamlessly deliver sustainable operations programs and achieve targets, you will work closely with sustainability and operational teams including facility managers, engineering managers, building operating engineers, vendors, and strategic partners across multiple client account teams. You will also be responsible for tracking, monitoring, and reporting sustainability performance including third-party assurance of carbon emissions, as necessary. Finally, you will also monitor and report key sustainability trends globally to support continuous improvement of the clients’ sustainability program.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in subjects such environmental science, engineering, climate change, sustainability or related field.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience (related to corporate sustainability or ESG, consulting, or similar)
• At least 2 years of experience managing people and teams
• Broad understanding of sustainable operations within the real estate sector with deep expertise in the following:
• End-to-end utility management
• Energy, water and waste audits
• Energy, water and waste conservation measures
• Greenhouse gas accounting
• Sustainable operational excellence best practices
• Strong computer skills including proficiency in Excel, Word, Outlook and PowerPoint, online software platforms, with the ability to use spreadsheets and data analysis applications.
• Strong personal commitment to sustainability.
• Strong balance of strategic and technical skills.
• Exceptional and proven analytical, quantitative and problem-solving skills.
• A knack for innovation and problem solving with a collaborative, solutions-oriented working style.
• Versatility and ability to multi-task, work independently and collaboratively in a global work environment
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills, including experience making presentations to clients and their stakeholders – conveying complex technical information to a non-technical audience.
• Passion for serving clients and delivering a positive client experience.
• Able to build strong relationships with internal and external partners to deliver effective services.
• Possess a positive attitude with a flexible and responsive approach to problem solving.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute sustainability strategies for each client’s real estate portfolio, working collaboratively with stakeholders to successfully implement programs and initiatives to reach client’s objectives.
• Prioritize the suite of mechanisms to drive energy and carbon reduction – including energy efficiency, renewable energy, and carbon offset strategy – working with management, engineers, vendors, and strategic partners.
• Develop and recommend procurement strategies to help them achieve client’s objectives cost effectively.
• Identify resource efficiency projects (energy, carbon, water and waste) in collaboration with key stakeholders, develop business cases including identifying possible rebates or partnership opportunities, manage projects through client approval, and manage and coordinate with consultants to deliver projects.
• Track, analyze, and report on global sustainability metrics, including greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (Scopes 1, 2, and 3), energy, water, waste, and other ESG metrics.
• Report internally and externally on sustainability initiatives and metrics, including ESG compliance reporting at the local, state, and federal levels.
• Support third-party assurance for annual GHG emissions and oversee contract with partners.
• Develop and implement appropriate governance to structure for program – including communications on sustainability strategies, plans, and progress towards goals.
• Maintain awareness of global sustainability trends, tools and metrics, and support the integration of sustainability best practices into client’s sustainability program.
• Access current sustainability policies and processes, identify gaps to industry best practice and drive improvement including drafting new policies.
• Support client’s sustainable building certifications and work with client teams to achieve new certifications at facilities where possible.
• Develop engagement and outreach programs aligned with client’s sustainability goals – including employee engagement and volunteering events.
• Act as the subject matter expert to educate and guide key stakeholders on sustainability topics and requests.

Benefits

• Cushman & Wakefield also provides eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health, vision, and dental insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life, and disability insurance programs, and paid and unpaid time away from work.
• In addition to a comprehensive benefits package, Cushman and Wakefield provide eligible employees with competitive pay, which may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, total hours worked, job type, business line, and applicability of collective bargaining agreements.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level