Sustainability Strategist

The Gensler Cities Climate Challenge (GC3) is driving significant effort within our teams and in our partnerships with clients and industry toward aggressive reductions in all operating and embodied carbon associated with the built environment. We are looking for equally committed members to join our team of sustainable design leaders.

Your Role

Gensler is seeking an experienced sustainability strategist with design expertise in the built environment, including setting goals on carbon and related performance metrics, quantifying performance of design options, and collaborating with design teams to develop effective strategies to improve performance. The focus of this role is a combination of technical skills and mentorship across all design types.

As a Sustainability Strategist at Gensler, you will join a highly creative, collaborative team dedicated to innovative problem solving and design excellence. You will work with the Southcentral Climate Action and Sustainability 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

• Employing technical analysis and research, you will integrate with design teams to identify opportunities and elevate sustainability for a wide range of world-class clients and projects ranging from commercial interiors to ground-up buildings and real estate portfolios

• Design and facilitate work sessions with clients and design teams to build consensus, and develop sustainability strategies for individual projects and across portfolios

• Undertake performance analysis including but not limited to LEED energy modelling (ASHRAE 90.1 Appendix G), embodied carbon/whole building lifecycle analysis, daylighting and glare, solar, computational fluid dynamics, and climate assessments

• Identify and maintain awareness of current and emerging technologies, tools, and methods as they impact the delivery of green building design

• Coordinate integration of BIM, lifecycle assessment, energy modeling, daylighting and other technical analysis in projects related to sustainability and resilience

• Stimulate internal knowledge and interest in new innovations, technologies, and approaches, educating staff in their use and application

• Have a research-oriented approach

Your Qualifications

• 5+ years of post-graduate experience in a similar role

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in architecture, engineering, architectural engineering, sustainable design or related field, or equivalent work experience

• Innovator, ability to create and successfully implement new programs

• Expertise in building systems, building performance analytics, climatic and passive design principles

• Proficient user of design software including Revit, Rhino, Grasshopper, Dynamo

• Energy Modeling experience following ASHRAE 90.1 Appendix G methodology

• Proficient user of building simulation and LCA software including IES VE, EQuest, OpenStudio/EnergyPlus, Climate Studio, Ladybug/Honeybee, Therm, OneClick LCA, or Tally

• Detail-oriented, creative problem-solver with a collaborative, solutions-oriented working style

• Strong communication and relationship management skills

• Strong knowledge of integrative design practice, project management, and consultant coordination

• Strong writing, speaking, organizational skills, and technical presentation ability

• Knowledgeable in third-party green building rating systems (LEED, WELL, Passive House, Living Building Challenge, ILFI Zero Carbon Certification, Green Globes, BREEAM, Fitwel, etc.)

Preferred Qualifications

• ASHRAE Building Energy Modeling Professional

• Experience with organizational carbon footprinting, climate action planning, climate change resiliency assessment, and/or environmental and social governance (ESG) a plus

• Experience with relational databases and data analytics software such as R, Tableau, or PowerBI

• Coding or scripting experience, particularly Python, Ruby, or C#

• Familiarity with digital collaboration tools such as Microsoft Teams, and willingness to learn others such as Miro

Please provide a well-crafted introduction of yourself as a cover letter explaining your passion for environmental sustainability as it relates to the built environment, along with a portfolio of work. This can include notable projects from past work experience, innovative or environmental designs, or process-oriented tools you have built. Be prepared to discuss previous experience with modeling and project certifications.

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. 2025-2026 study ranks Houston in the top 10 places to live in Texas!

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 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.