Senior Sustainability Specialist

Technical Skills

• CAD & BIM: AutoCAD (advanced), Revit MEP; experience with Navisworks for coordination preferred.


• Familiarity with Autodesk BIM 360 / ACC for document management and RFI tracking.

Key Accountabilities and Responsibilities:

The successful candidate will be an authoritative voice on sustainable design within the practice, shaping projects from pre-concept through to post-occupancy evaluation. They will embed sustainability principles across all project disciplines, drive certification submissions to successful outcomes

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 Sustainability Strategy & Advisory

• Define and lead project-specific sustainability strategies tailored to client ambitions, budget constraints, and program requirements at each design stage.


• Conduct sustainability workshops, charrettes, and design reviews withmultidisciplinary project teams and clients.


• Advise on passive design measures including building orientation, massing, façade performance, shading, natural ventilation, and daylighting to minimize mechanical loads.


• Develop net-zero carbon roadmaps for projects targeting operational and/or embodied carbon reduction goals.


• Conduct embodied carbon assessments (up front carbon, whole-life carbon) using One Click LCA, EC3, or equivalent tools.


• Advise on sustainable materials selection, circular economy principles, and responsible sourcing standards (FSC, REACH, EPDs).

 Green Building Certifications

• Lead and manage certification programs across multiple frameworks: LEED v4/v4.1 (BD+C, ID+C, O+M), Estidama Pearl Rating System (PRS), BREEAM New Construction / In-Use, WELL Building Standard (v2), Fitwel, and GSAS.


• Prepare credit documentation, energy calculations, simulation reports, and supporting narratives for submission to certification bodies (USGBC, BRE, IWBI, GORD, UPC).


• Track credit status across all active projects, proactively identifying risks and solutions to maintain targeted rating levels.


• Liaise with local authority sustainability requirements: DM Green Building Regulations (Dubai), Abu Dhabi ESTIDAMA (UPC), UPDA (Qatar), and MOMRA (KSA).


• Manage relationships with certification body reviewers and ensure timely responses to RFIs and reviewer comments.

Energy Modelling & Technical Analysis

• Perform whole-building energy modelling using IES VE, DesignBuilder, or eQUEST for LEED/Estidama compliance, ASHRAE 90.1 baseline comparisons, and design optimization.


• Conduct parametric studies to evaluate design alternatives: glazing ratios, HVAC system types, building envelope performance, and renewable energy generation.


• Carry out daylighting and glare analyses using DIVA-for-Rhino, IES VE, or Radiance to support LEED/WELL daylight credits and occupant comfort strategies.


• Assess thermal comfort using PMV/PPD analysis, adaptive comfort models, and outdoor thermal comfort (UTCI, PET) for public realm and outdoor spaces.


• Prepare water consumption calculations and water budget models supporting LEED and Estidama water efficiency credits.

Develop renewable energy generation assessments (PV, solar thermal) and advise on on-site and off-site renewable energy procurement strategies.

 Environmental & Regulatory Compliance

• Prepare Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) and Environmental Management Plans (EMP) as required by local authority mandates.


• Advice on indoor environmental quality (IEQ) strategies: low-VOC materials, ventilation rates, acoustic performance, and biophilic design integration.


• Coordinate waste management frameworks, construction waste diversion plans, and operational waste strategies.


• Support climate risk and resilience assessments for infrastructure and masterplan projects.

Practice & Business Development

• Contribute to business development by preparing technical sustainability proposals, fee estimates, and participating in client interviews.


• Represent the firm at sustainability forums, green building council events (USGBC, UKGBC, Emirates Green Building Council), and CPD sessions.


• Develop and maintain internal sustainability design guidelines, calculation templates, and credit compliance checklists.


• Mentor junior sustainability team members and embed a culture of sustainability across all building services disciplines.

Person Specifications and Qualifications: 

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Architectural Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or Architecture with a strong sustainability focus.


• Master's degree in Sustainable Design, Environmental Engineering, or equivalent is advantageous.


• Minimum 8 years of experience in sustainability consultancy, with at least 4 years on projects in the Middle East.


• Track record of successfully achieving LEED Gold/Platinum, Estidama 2 Pearl or above, and/or BREEAM Very Good/Excellent on delivered projects.


• LEED AP BD+C (USGBC) required; WELL AP, BREEAM AP, or Estidama Accredited Professional are highly desirable.


• Chartered status (CEng, CEnv, or equivalent) is preferred.

Technical Skills

• Energy modelling: IES VE (advanced proficiency required), DesignBuilder, eQUEST, EnergyPlus.


• Daylighting & thermal comfort: DIVA-for-Rhino, Climate Consultant, Ladybug Tools (Grasshopper/Rhino).


• Embodied carbon: One Click LCA, EC3 (Building Transparency), Tally.


• Certification portals: LEED Online, Arc platform, BREEAM Online, Estidama Pearl portal, Fitwel portal.


• BIM familiarity: Revit (sustainability data extraction), Navisworks; AutoCAD.


• Advanced MS Excel (energy dashboards, data analysis), PowerPoint (stakeholder presentations).