Sustainability Director (Chicago)

At Gensler, we envision a future where every building and space is designed with the planet in mind, targeting carbon neutrality for all our projects by 2030. We seek dedicated leaders in sustainable design who are as passionate as we are about reshaping the worlds skylines responsibly. In this role, youll lead sustainable design efforts within a dynamic, collaborative environment, supporting our clients and internal teams as we work toward a carbon-neutral future. As a key member of Genslers sustainability and climate action practice, youll balance technical leadership, client engagement, and mentorship to drive sustainable design innovation. As part of Genslers sustainability practice, youll have opportunities for public visibility through collaborations, speaking engagements, and media interactions, reinforcing our leadership in climate action. Based in our Chicago office, you will play a key role in building Genslers sustainable design and climate action practice within the North Central Region, including Chicago, Minneapolis, Columbus and Detroit. Your focus will be to shape sustainable project outcomes while positioning Gensler as a leader in climate action and resilience. Project Leadership Guide clients and teams on high-performance, resilient design practices to set and achieve ambitious sustainability goals. Design Excellence Ensure that all projects maintain the highest level of design quality, with sustainability and performance-based measures integrated at every stage. Mentorship Foster professional growth by mentoring sustainability and design teams, developing the next generation of sustainability leaders. Industry Leadership Represent Gensler as a regional leader in sustainability through public speaking, publishing, and engagement with industry networks. Workshop Facilitation Lead workshops with teams, clients, and stakeholders to encourage and deepen their understanding of sustainability practices. Performance Integration Ensure key performance metrics, including energy, water, carbon, and materials impact, are tracked and leveraged across all projects. Workshop Facilitation Lead workshops with teams, clients, and stakeholders to encourage and deepen their understanding of sustainability and performance-based design. Clear Communication Translate complex data into compelling presentations and visuals, helping clients understand the value of sustainability strategies. Business Development Build and expand Genslers climate action services through new opportunities in Sustainability Strategy, Analytics, and Certification. Client Relations Cultivate trust and loyalty, positioning Gensler as a preferred sustainability partner. Operational Planning Coordinate with leadership on billing, fee management, and resource planning to support climate practice growth. Hands-On Work Contribute directly to project tasks as needed, particularly while growing the local team. Sustainability Knowledge Strong background in building science, high-performance systems, and sustainable strategies, with experience achieving building certifications. Performance-Driven Expertise Deep understanding of performance-based codes and ability to integrate innovative, data-driven solutions into design. Software Skills Knowledge of Revit for design and documentation; familiarity with Rhino, Ladybug, and Climate Studio for performance modeling. Client Engagement Proven ability to build trust, manage client relationships, and secure business, including a revenue target of $800k annually for climate action projects. Strategic Planning Experience driving change initiatives and developing strategic plans for team growth and climate action services. Integrated Collaboration Strong ability to work across disciplines, ensuring sustainability is seamlessly incorporated into management, technical, and design strategies. Adaptable Communication Skilled at aligning sustainability solutions with varied client priorities (e.g., Success in this role requires building rapport across generations and project roles, often with clients whose success metrics vary widely from Genslers sustainability goals. Education and Certification Masters degree in sustainable building, architecture, engineering, or a related field, with LEED Accreditation required (additional certifications are a plus). Familiarity with LEED and Other Certifications Strong knowledge of LEED, WELL, Fitwel, and other green building certifications, with a proven track record of successfully implementing and achieving certification goals. Leadership and Relationship Management Strong relationship-building and collaboration skills across internal and external teams. Curiosity and Engagement Passionate about sustainability and eager to engage with new perspectives to foster a healthy, collaborative workplace. Self-Starter Able to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment with resilience and adaptability. If you are driven by a commitment to sustainability, integrated design excellence and fostering the next generation of sustainability leaders, we encourage you to apply. **The base salary will be estimated between $125k-155k plus bonuses and benefits and contingent on relevant experience. 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 peoples diverse interests. 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 firms commitment to licensure and professional development, Gensler offers reimbursement for certain professional licenses and associated renewals and exam fees. We are a dynamic and collaborative design firm uniting creativity, research, and innovation to solve complex problems for our clients. Our work challenges conventional ideas about architecture and the built environment. Everything we do is guided by our mission: to create a better world through the power of design. All aspects of employment decisions will be based on merit, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of any status protected under federal, state, or local law. Individuals with disabilities and protected veterans are encouraged to apply. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with applicable federal, state and local law. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us . Regarding Genslers approach to recruiting new talent, we will never ask an applicant for sensitive or personal financial information during the recruitment process. We advise all applicants seeking employment with Gensler to review available information on recruitment fraud .