Sustainability Leader

About the Role

CSO is seeking a full-time Sustainability Leader to serve as
the firm’s primary expert and advocate for sustainable design, guiding the
integration of environmental responsibility, energy efficiency, carbon
reduction, and resilience into all projects. This role provides strategic
direction on sustainability across the firm’s portfolio, advises project teams,
leads project certification pursuits, and drives thought leadership to position
the firm as a leader in sustainable architecture. This position focuses on
firm-wide sustainability strategy and expertise rather than day-to-day project
management.

This is an opportunity to step into a leadership role at CSO
where your expertise will directly shape the sustainable future of the built
environment. You will be part of a design practice that values innovation,
continuous learning, and meaningful impact. Your leadership will help develop
what sustainability means as a component of CSO’s core purpose.

About CSO

CSO is an Indianapolis-based architecture and interior
design firm committed to creating environments where people and communities
thrive. Our collaborative culture and multidisciplinary expertise allow us to
deliver innovative, client-focused solutions across a wide range of markets. We
believe that design has the power to inspire, connect, and improve the way
people live, work, and interact. Learn more at www.csoinc.net.

Primary Responsibilities

• Collaborate with project teams, clients, and
  consultants to set sustainability goals and integrate sustainability through
  all project phases, aligning goals with scope, budget, and schedule
  
• Advise project teams and clients on best
  practices in carbon reduction, energy efficiency, and resilience; clearly
  communicate sustainable strategies and outcomes
  
• Establish roles and responsibilities, from
  project start to finish, for designers, architects and managers on project
  teams pursuing green building certifications (e.g. LEED, WELL, Parksmart) to
  ensure projects meet or exceed certification goals and client requirements
  
• Research and remain current on emerging sustainability
  trends, materials, technologies, regulations, incentives, and best practices within
  the built environment
  
• Conduct sustainability workshops, eco-charettes,
  integrative design sessions, and internal/external trainings to advance
  sustainability knowledge and adoption
  
• Foster a culture of environmental stewardship by
  mentoring staff on sustainable design principles, tools, and processes
  
• Partner with CSO’s Sustainability Committee to
  develop and implement a sustainability vision, standards, and initiatives,
  including the AIA 2030 Commitment and carbon neutrality goals
  
• Support business development by incorporating
  sustainability narratives into proposals, interviews, and other marketing
  materials
  
• Monitor and evaluate project sustainability
  performance, including post-occupancy assessments when applicable
  
• Contribute to thought leadership through
  publications, presentations, conferences, and engagement in regional and
  national sustainability forums (USGBC, Greenbuild, etc.)
  

Requirements

Qualifications

• Professional degree in Architecture,
  Environmental Design, Sustainable Design, Engineering, or related field
  (Master’s preferred)
  
•  LEED AP, WELL AP, and/or similar credentials (Active
  AIA membership preferred)
  
• 5 to 8 years of experience in sustainable design
  within architecture or related built-environment fields
  
• Experience leading project design teams,
  engineering consultants and General Contractors through the complete LEED
  Certification process, advising on sustainable design strategy, maintaining the
  LEED scorecard, and advising/mentoring the team on specific requirements for
  earning points and for uploading documentation resulting in the LEED
  Certification
  
• Strong knowledge of green building rating
  systems, building codes, energy standards, embodied carbon frameworks, and
  climate adaptation strategies.
  
• Excellent communication, leadership,
  collaboration, and presentation skills; ability to influence and educate
  multidisciplinary teams and clients
  

Benefits

Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision insurance (HSA, Flexible Spending Account)
  
• Short and Long Term Disability
  
• Company sponsored life insurance policy
  
• Generous PTO, holiday schedule, and floating holiday  
  
• Competitive 401(k) with employer match in both Roth and Traditional
  
• Student loan repayment program
  
• Professional development opportunities
  
• and much more