Sustainable Design Leader

Sustainable Design Leader; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Parental leave policy

Flexible work policy

Inter-studio transfers

Wellbeing benefits

Development programs

Study assistance

Job summary

Hassell is seeking a Sustainable Design Leader to advance sustainability across project delivery and global practice. Based in Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane, you will lead teams, engage clients and translate ambitious sustainability goals into deliverable design.

You will balance roughly 70% project leadership with 30% global strategy, shaping frameworks, capability building and external positioning. The role requires seniority, collaboration and a track record in regenerative design.

Qualifications

• Senior practitioner capable of project delivery and strategic conversations.
• Significant built environment experience in sustainability and regenerative impact.
• Proven leadership delivering best-practice sustainability outcomes on projects.
• Expertise in social value, materiality and/or constructability.
• Strong systems thinking; translate complex challenges into practical strategies.
• Strong networks with industry and clients; influence senior stakeholders.
• Excellent facilitation, communication and storytelling skills.
• Qualification in Design, Engineering, Science, Environmental Management, Construction, Sustainability or related.
• Curiosity, generosity and willingness to share knowledge.
• Collaborative approach grounded in trust and respect.

Responsibilities

• Lead and embed sustainability and regenerative design thinking within project teams from early strategy through delivery.
• Partner with project leaders and design teams to shape project direction, not just performance outcomes.
• Translate technical sustainability knowledge into clear, compelling design and value-based propositions.
• Influence clients, consultants and stakeholders toward higher ambition and more holistic outcomes.
• Support major pursuits and proposals by articulating Hassell's sustainability and value-creation approach.
• Work with the global Sustainability Team to evolve Hassell's Sustainability Framework, regenerative design methodologies and value-creation approaches.
• Contribute to global capability building - including learning programs, tools, guidance, resources and communities of practice.
• Help shape Hassell's external positioning on sustainability and regenerative design.
• Share insights and lessons from projects to continuously improve frameworks and practice-wide approaches.
• Represent Hassell in industry forums, thought leadership, partnerships and advocacy where appropriate.
• Engage with Heads of Design, the Operations Executive and Board to support the long-term strategic ambition, capability and capacity of the practice.

Skills

Sustainability leadership

Project leadership

Social value

Materiality

Constructability

Systems thinking

Stakeholder influence

Facilitation

Communication

Education

Design/Engineering qual

Job description

Company Description

With eight design studios worldwide, chances are you've encountered our work. We specialise in architecture, landscape architecture, interior design, and urban design. Our diverse, multi-disciplinary team brings together a wealth of skills and perspectives that unlock the economic, social, and cultural potential of projects.

Across our studios we connect insight and creativity, creating a better future by designing the world's best places - places people love, is what drives us.

At Hassell, we're dedicated to sustainability and regenerative design. Our designers play a pivotal role in shaping a better future for communities and our planet. Join us in making a lasting impact.

Job Description

We are looking for a Sustainable Design Leader to join our team in Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane.

As Sustainable Design Leader, you will play a senior role in advancing Hassell's sustainability and regenerative design agenda across both project delivery and global practice development.

This role is deliberately structured as:

• ~70% project-facing leadership, embedded in live projects, client engagement, and design teams
• ~30% global strategy and practice contribution, helping shape frameworks, capability, positioning and influence across the practice

You will work closely with the Head of Sustainability, Heads of Design, studio leadership and the global Sustainability Team to deliver exemplary project outcomes and evolve how Hassell operates globally. While

Sustainable Design Leaders are expected to be strong generalists across sustainability, regenerative design and project leadership, this role will particularly value expertise and leadership in:

• Social Value: equity, inclusion, community benefit, stakeholder outcomes, social impact frameworks and/or
• Materials & Materiality: performance, quality and long-term outcomes and/or
• Construction & Buildability: sequencing and detailing, buildability, and translating design ambition into practical, deliverable outcomes.

What You'll Do:

Project Leadership (approx. 70%)

• Lead and embed sustainability and regenerative design thinking within project teams from early strategy through delivery.
• Partner with project leaders and design teams to shape project direction, not just performance outcomes.
• Translate technical sustainability knowledge into clear, compelling design and value-based propositions.
• Influence clients, consultants and stakeholders toward higher ambition and more holistic outcomes.
• Support major pursuits and proposals by articulating Hassell's sustainability and value-creation approach.

Global Practice & Strategy Contribution (approx. 30%)

• Work with the global Sustainability Team to evolve Hassell's Sustainability Framework, regenerative design methodologies and value-creation approaches.
• Contribute to global capability building - including learning programs, tools, guidance, resources and communities of practice.
• Help shape Hassell's external positioning on sustainability and regenerative design.
• Share insights and lessons from projects to continuously improve frameworks and practice-wide approaches.
• Represent Hassell in industry forums, thought leadership, partnerships and advocacy where appropriate.
• Engage with Heads of Design, the Operations Executive and Board to support the long-term strategic ambition, capability and capacity of the practice.

Qualifications

You are a senior practitioner who can move comfortably between project delivery and strategic conversations. You bring deep expertise, but also the openness and adaptability to embed that expertise within Hassell's design culture.

You bring:

• Significant built environment experience and a strong portfolio of sustainability and regenerative impact.
• Proven leadership delivering best-practice sustainability outcomes on projects.
• Expertise in social value, materiality and/or constructability, alongside broad sustainability capability.
• Strong systems thinking and the ability to translate complex challenges into practical, measurable strategies.
• Strong industry and client networks, with confidence influencing senior stakeholders.
• Excellent facilitation, communication and storytelling skills.
• A relevant qualification in Design, Engineering, Science, Environmental Management, Construction, Sustainability or a related discipline.
• Curiosity, generosity and a commitment to sharing knowledge and building capability.
• Strong self-awareness, integrity and a collaborative approach grounded in trust and respect.

Additional Information

Why Choose Hassell?

Our team enjoys a wide range of benefits to support their development and well-being:

• A progressiveparental leave policy
• A progressive flexible work policy that allows hybrid work, location flexibility and work pattern flexibility
• Inter-studio transfer opportunities
• Wellbeing benefits
• Development and training opportunities, including access to online training programs and our People Coach program.
• Study assistance

To learn more about the benefits we offer please visit our Benefits Page.

Hassell is an inclusive, equal opportunity employer that celebrates diversity. We demonstrate our commitment to reconciliation and cultural safety by fostering inclusive environments that value the cultural identities, perspectives, and practices of all individuals. We prioritise ensuring that everyone feels safe, included, and respected.

Our local studios serve as primary hubs for in-person connection and collaboration, and we offer flexible and hybrid work arrangements. Hassell encourages sustainable work hours and actively supports the holistic health and well-being of our people.