Senior Sustainability Analyst

SmithGroup; San Diego (CA); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 129,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

3 weeks PTO first year

8 federal holidays

Health, dental, vision

401(k) with company match

Tuition reimbursement

Career coaching

Job summary

SmithGroup in San Diego is seeking a Senior Sustainability Analyst to lead the IMPACT sustainability team and guide project-level climate and decarbonization work. You will supervise certification work, performance modeling, and client-facing materials, while integrating sustainability across disciplines.

The ideal candidate has 10+ years in built-environment sustainability, professional licensure, and credentials (LEED/WELL).

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in engineering or related field; master’s preferred.
• Professional licensure and sustainability credentials (LEED AP, WELL AP, LFA, Fitwel)
• 10+ years of sustainability experience in design/construction of built environments, with 2+ years in supervision.
• Experience integrating green building strategies across markets and scales.
• Proven ability to manage multiple certifications and ESG documentation.

Responsibilities

• Lead a high-performing sustainability and climate team within the IMPACT group.
• Oversee technical excellence across projects, including narratives, models, and certifications.
• Guide strategic planning and design integration for complex projects.
• Supervise development of specifications, narratives, and client materials.
• Facilitate charrettes and workshops with clients and teams.
• Manage IMPACT team staffing, scope, and fee negotiations.
• Mentor junior staff and support professional development.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Client engagement

Facilitation

Strategic planning

Project management

Communication

Education

Bachelor of Science in Engineering / Environmental Sciences / Economics / Architecture

Master's degree preferred

LEED AP or WELL AP, LFA, Fitwel Ambassador credentials

Job description

SmithGroup is an integrated design firm with a reputation for cultivating a top-ranked culture while pioneering award-winning innovative design solutions. We blend research, data and technology with ingenuity and a creative spirit to deliver resilient, inclusive spaces that solve our clients' greatest challenges. Our teams create exceptional design solutions for healthcare, science and technology, workplace, mixed use, higher education, cultural, waterfront, parks and open spaces, and urban environments. We are looking for passionate problem solvers who want to elevate design, push boundaries and create a more resilient future.

The San Diegooffice of SmithGroupis looking for aSenior Sustainability Analystto join our team.

Working with us, you will:

• Lead a high-performing team of sustainability and climate professionals within the IMPACT group, including specialists in performance modeling, certification, climate adaptation, and decarbonization planning.
• Oversee technical excellence across projects, ensuring quality control of sustainability narratives, certification documentation, performance models, and climate risk assessments.
• Guide strategic planning and design integration for complex projects, establishing a cohesive sustainability vision across disciplines and markets.
• Supervise the development of technical specifications, design narratives, and client-facing materials, ensuring alignment with project goals and certification requirements.
• Facilitate project charrettes and workshops, leading goal-setting and decision-making sessions with clients and project teams.
• Manage IMPACT team staffing, scope, and fee negotiations in coordination with project managers, ensuring timely and high-quality deliverables.
• Mentor and coach junior and intermediate staff, conducting performance reviews and supporting professional development plans.
• Develop tools, processes, and standards to improve modeling efficiency and sustainability service delivery across the firm.
• Represent IMPACT in client meetings, technical conferences, and industry events, strengthening relationships and expanding business opportunities.
• Lead proposal development and strategic business development efforts, coordinating with marketing and sector leaders to position IMPACT services.
• Serve as a thought leader in sustainability, contributing to national organizations (e.g., USGBC, ILFI, IWBI) and driving innovation in wellness, equity, and resilience.
• Oversee internal education programs and staff training to elevate sustainability knowledge across project teams.
• Travel as needed to client sites and conferences to support project delivery and professional engagement.

An ideal candidate has:

• A Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Economics, Architecture, or a related technical field; Master's degree or equivalent preferred.
• Professional licensure and relevant sustainability credentials such as LEED AP, WELL AP, LFA, or Fitwel Ambassador.
• A minimum of 10+ years of experience in sustainability, specific to design and construction of the built environment, ideally LEED, WELL, LBC and other sustainability targets on projects, with at least 2 years of direct supervisory experience.Experinence in climate adaptation, performance modeling, or related topics is a plus.
• Proven expertise in integrating holistic green building strategies across diverse markets and project scales.
• Demonstrated success managing multiple sustainability certifications and ESG documentation simultaneously.
• Strong leadership and mentoring skills, with the ability to develop high-performing teams.
• Experience in strategic planning, project management, and client engagement, with a track record of delivering high-quality, impactful work.
• Excellent presentation and facilitation skills, with the ability to lead charrettes, workshops, and client meetings.
• Active involvement in industry organizations and thought‑leadership initiatives, preferably in a national leadership role.
• A collaborative mindset and the ability to influence across disciplines to achieve ambitious sustainability goals.

At SmithGroup, we are committed to helping our staff thrive with great projects and time to unwind. We offer flexible scheduling, a hybrid work environment, 3 weeks of PTO within your first year of employment with the option of purchasing additional time off, 8 paid federal holidays, plus 15 extra Fridays off! Our benefits plan includes medical, dental, and vision coverage, wellbeing resources, paid parental leave, a flex spending account and voluntary insurance options. We invest in your future through our 401(k) program with employer matching, tuition reimbursement program, one‑on‑one career coaching and professional development opportunities. While we may ultimately pay more or less than a posted salary range, at the time of posting the anticipated salary range for this position is $110,000 to $129,000 annually and you are eligible for a performance-based bonus each year.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws.If you require reasonable accommodation to complete this application, interview, or otherwise participate in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to [e-mail].