National Decarbonization & Carbon Management Lead

HDR, Inc.; Madison (WI); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

HDR, Inc. seeks a National Decarbonization & Carbon Management Lead to drive the growth of its Sustainability and Resiliency practice.

You will provide technical leadership for GHG accounting, decarbonization planning, net-zero strategies, climate disclosure, and carbon management services across HDR. Reporting to the Sustainability & Resilience Cross Sector Director, you will collaborate with business groups, pursue major opportunities, build client relationships, and mentor staff while

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Planning, Sciences, Architecture, Engineering or closely related field.
• At least 15 years of experience in related field.
• Professional engineering registration preferred if applicable.
• Experience leading diverse teams and cross‑sector collaboration.
• Willingness to travel to HDR offices and global clients.
• Strong knowledge of GHG accounting, decarbonization methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Lead Sustainability and Resiliency Practice and drive growth.
• Provide technical leadership for GHG inventories and decarbonization roadmaps.
• Mentor staff and develop capabilities across HDR's practice.
• Develop proposals, manage projects, and pursue strategic opportunities.
• Establish technical standards and QA/QC procedures.

Skills

Staff management

Travel willingness

GHG inventory

Decarbonization planning

Climate disclosure

Project leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Planning, Sciences, Engineering or closely related field

Professional engineering registration (if applicable)

Job description

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?

Watch Our Story: https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story

Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.

At HDR, our employee-ownership model shapes everything we do, including how we support and care for our people. Our diverse service lines, including Water, Architecture, Building Engineering Services, Field Services, Power, Waste, Industrial, and Transportation reflect our commitment to shaping resilient, sustainable, and forward‑thinking communities around the world. Across these disciplines, our teams design and deliver solutions that safeguard public health, enhance quality of life, power innovation, and drive responsible growth. Whether advancing clean water, creating healing and learning environments, engineering next‑generation facilities, or building the infrastructure that moves people and energy, our work is rooted in technical excellence and a shared sense of purpose. Our employee-owners collaborate across specialties, combining creativity, precision, and deep expertise to solve the most complex challenges facing our clients and communities.

National Decarbonization & Carbon Management Lead

Our Sustainability and Resiliency team seeks a candidate who will lead the development and growth of the practice in coordination with local operational leadership and the S&R global leadership. Reporting to the Sustainability & Resilience Cross Sector Director, this individual will serve as HDR’s National Decarbonization & Carbon Management Lead, providing technical leadership for greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting, decarbonization planning, net‑zero strategies, climate disclosure, and carbon management services across HDR. Working across business groups, regions, and global programs, this leader will support project delivery, major pursuits, client engagement, and the continued expansion of HDR’s decarbonization capabilities.

Responsibilities

The successful candidate will lead the Sustainability and Resiliency Practice by developing the business through strategic initiatives, AI innovation, writing proposals, managing projects, staff development and strategic growth. The successful candidate will advance HDR’s decarbonization and carbon management services through technical excellence, practice development, AI‑enabled innovation, strategic pursuits and growth initiatives, staff development, quality assurance and mentorship. The role will support clients in developing and implementing GHG inventories, decarbonization strategies, net‑zero roadmaps, climate disclosure programs, mitigation‑focused climate action plans, and carbon management initiatives. This individual will collaborate across HDR business groups and geographies to develop innovative solutions, support project delivery, influence strategic growth, and strengthen HDR’s position as a leading advisor in decarbonization and climate action.

The position encompasses a focus on technical leadership, networking and establishing client relationships, developing leads, and strategic thinking in future directions for both our clients and programs. Incorporating cross‑sector and advisory services and engagement with multiple stakeholders will be an important part of the job and your projects.

Additional activities include the following:

• National/global technical leader for GHG accounting, decarbonization, net‑zero strategies, and climate disclosure.
• Participate in strategic and tactical planning activities and the development of strategic positioning with Business Development Leads.
• Assess marketplace opportunities, gage HDR prospects, and development of prioritized client targets.
• Lead and participate in direct project pursuits including targeted client relationship development and premarketing, preparation of qualifications, proposals, interview content, scopes of work, project budgets and contractor negotiations.
• Participate in project teams as SME, senior reviewer, QA/QC role and methodology owner.
• Serve as client manager for key clients.
• Build HDR’s visibility and reputation through industry presentations, publications, technical committees, conferences, and leadership in decarbonization, net‑zero, and climate disclosure initiatives.
• Identify key investments (talent, acquisitions, and technology) to improve our industry leadership position.
• Champion our culture: Client Service, Teamwork, Entrepreneurial Attitude, and “Do the Right Thing” Integrity
• Support major pursuits and strategic growth initiatives across North America and globally.
• Contribute to thought leadership through publications, presentations, training programs, and industry engagement.
• Lead firmwide development and implementation of AI‑enabled carbon accounting and decarbonization tools.
• Establish and maintain technical standards, QA/QC procedures, guidance documents, and communities of practice.
• Mentor and develop staff across HDR's Sustainability & Resiliency practice and related business groups.
• Support strategic pursuits.
• Support Sustainability & Environmental Advisory Services growth globally, particularly in Canada and the UK.
• Perform other duties as needed.

You should expect to be leading and coordinating projects across HDR, collaborating with staff in our various offices or with strategic partners. As part of the S&R team, you can also expect to be provided with opportunities to work on comparable, new, and exciting projects around HDR’s network.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior staff management and development experience
• Role or engagement in professional organizations
• Ability to travel to meet with staff across HDR offices and global clients
• Experience with GHG inventory development, emissions quantification, decarbonization planning, and associated methodologies, frameworks, and analytical tools.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a Planning, Sciences, Architecture, Engineering or closely related field
• A minimum of 15 years of experience in related field
• If applicable, maintains a professional or Engineering registration and has related technical experience
• Experienced in development and management of diverse teams
• Works cooperatively with other business class and cross sector directors, operations managers, technical directors and marketing managers on cross sector efforts
• Committed to quality, improvement and HDR values
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must

What We Believe

HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.

Our Commitment

As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.

Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.

We provide a comprehensive benefits package that promotes employee ownership, employee health, performance, and success, which includes medical, dental, vision, short and long‑term disability, life insurance, an employee assistance program, paid time away, parental leave, paid holidays, a retirement savings plan with employer match, employee referral bonus and tuition reimbursement. The expected compensation range for this position depends upon skills, experience, education and geographical location. (Stated benefits are for full‑time regular positions. Temporary and part‑time roles eligible for limited benefits.) Minnesota: $132,521 - $189,315

Primary Location:United States-Minnesota-Saint Louis Park

Other Locations:United States-Wisconsin-Madison

Industry:Environment/Sciences

Schedule:Full‑time

Employee Status:Regular

BusinessClass:Sustainability and Resilience

Job Posting:Nov 2, 2026

At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity. We are an affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer (https://www.hdrinc.com/equal-employment-opportunity-employer). We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.