Senior Manager, Climate Strategy

cw; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 135,000 - 159,000; Full time

Job summary

Cushman & Wakefield is seeking a Senior Manager, Climate Strategy to lead the firm’s net zero commitments and SBTs. You will own strategy, governance, and emissions reduction initiatives across the global operations and value chain.

You will manage a Net Zero Analyst and collaborate with Real Estate, Procurement, Finance, HR, and business lines to embed sustainability. Strong data, reporting, and communication skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Strategic leader with ability to translate data into actionable sustainability insights.
• Proven experience managing cross-functional programs and change initiatives.
• Advanced analytical and data management capabilities (Excel, Power BI, or similar).
• Experience in sustainability, ESG, climate strategy, or related field.
• Experience in commercial real estate or professional services preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of enterprise-wide Net Zero and SBT strategy, including roadmap development and execution planning.
• Develop and manage decarbonization initiatives across operations, supply chain, business travel, and real estate portfolio.
• Support governance processes and KPI frameworks to ensure integrity and auditable performance tracking.
• Partner cross-functionally with Real Estate, Procurement, Finance, HR, and business lines to embed sustainability into operations.
• Oversee Scope 1, 2, and 3 GHG emissions accounting, ensuring alignment with GHG Protocol standards.
• Oversee climate-related technology stack including GHG accounting tools, APIs, energy/building tools.
• Lead environmental disclosures including CDP, GRI, SBTi and annual reporting.
• Support business development and client engagement with sustainability thought leadership.
• Build and lead education and change management initiatives across the organization.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Leadership

Communication skills

Analytical thinking

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree or certifications preferred

Tools

Excel

Power BI

GHG accounting tools

Job description

Senior Manager, Climate Strategy

Job Description Summary

Cushman & Wakefield is seeking a Senior Manager, Climate Strategy to lead the strategy, execution, and governance of the firm’s global net zero and science-based target (SBT) commitments. This role will sit within the Corporate Sustainability team and will be responsible for driving enterprise-wide decarbonization across operations and value chain emissions. This leader will own the development and implementation of net zero strategy and environmental performance tracking, and partner with stakeholders across the business to deliver measurable emissions reductions. The role will combine strategic leadership, technical expertise, and program management, and will oversee junior resources including a Net Zero Analyst.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead development ofenterprise-wide Net Zero and Science Based Target (SBT) strategy, including roadmap development and execution planning
• Develop and manage decarbonizationandenvironmentalinitiatives across operations, supply chain, business travel, and real estate portfolio
• Supportinternal control design, governance processes, and KPI frameworks to ensure the integrity, consistency, and auditability of performance tracking and reporting against environmental sustainability goals
• Partner cross-functionally with Real Estate, Procurement, Finance, HR, and business lines to embed sustainability into operationsand relevant services
• Oversight responsibilityacross Scope 1, 2, and 3GHGemissionsaccounting process, ensuring alignment with GHG Protocol standards
• Operationaland strategicoversightresponsibility forclimate-related technology stack includingGHG accounting tools, related APIstool and building energy tools, as applicable
• Oversee data analytics, modeling, and scenario analysis to inform decision-making and emissions reduction strategies
• Manage external partnerships including consultants, auditors, and data providers
• Lead contributions toenvironmentaldisclosures including CDP, GRI, SBTi, and annual reporting
• Support business development and client engagement with sustainability thought leadership
• Build and lead education and change management initiatives across the organization

Team Leadership

• Directly manage and develop Net Zero Analyst
• Set priorities, provide coaching, and ensure high-quality analytical outputs
• Build scalable processes, tools, and playbooks for sustainability program delivery
• Work with relevant business and operational leaders and stakeholders to drive partnership and collaboration for climate transition actions

Qualifications & Experience

• 7+years of experience in sustainability, ESG, climate strategy, or related field
• Strongexpertisein GHG accounting, climate frameworks (SBTi, CDP, GRESB, GRI), and decarbonization pathways
• Proven experience managing complex, cross-functional programsandimplementing change management initiatives
• Advanced analytical and data management capabilities (Excel, Power BI, or similar tools)
• Experience in commercial real estate or professional services preferred
• Bachelor’s degreerequired;Master’sdegree or relevant certifications preferred

Key Skills & Competencies

• Strategic thinker with ability to translate data into actionable insights
• Strong leadership and stakeholder management skills
• Excellent written, presentation, and communication skills
• Ability tooperatein a fast-paced, global environment
• Highly collaborative, self-motivated, and results-driven

Cushman & Wakefield also provides eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health, vision, and dental insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life, and disability insurance programs, and paid and unpaid time away from work. In addition to a comprehensive benefits package, Cushman and Wakefield provide eligible employees with competitive pay, which may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, total hours worked, job type, business line, and applicability of collective bargaining agreements. The compensation that will be offered to the successful candidate will depend on factors such as whether the position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement, the geographic area in which the work will be performed, market pay rates in that area, and the candidate’s experience and qualifications. The company will not pay less than minimum wage for this role. The compensation for the position is: $ 134,725.00 - $158,500.00Cushman & Wakefield is an Equal Opportunity employer to all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. Discrimination of any type will not be tolerated.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position at Cushman & Wakefield, please call the ADA line at 1-888-365-5406 or email [e-mail]. Please refer to the job title and job location when you contact us.

INCO: “Cushman & Wakefield”