Sustainability Leader

CSO; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Disability benefits

Life insurance

PTO & holidays

401(k) match

Job summary

CSO, an Indianapolis-based architecture and interior design firm, seeks a Sustainability Leader to guide environmental responsibility, energy efficiency, carbon reduction, and resilience across the firm’s portfolio. This role sets strategy, mentors staff, and leads certification pursuits, shaping CSO’s sustainability vision beyond individual projects.

You will collaborate with design teams, influence clients, and contribute to thought leadership through industry forums and publications.

Qualifications

• Professional degree in Architecture or related environmental design field.
• LEED AP, WELL AP or similar credentials (Active AIA membership preferable).
• 5–8 years in sustainable design within architecture or related built environment fields.
• Experience leading project design teams and consultants through LEED certification.
• Strong knowledge of green building rating systems, energy standards, and carbon reduction strategies.
• Excellent communication and leadership, able to influence multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Set sustainability goals with project teams and integrate them across all phases.
• Advise on carbon reduction, energy efficiency, and resilience strategies; communicate outcomes clearly.
• Define roles for designers and managers pursuing green building certifications (LEED/WELL) and ensure certification goals.
• Research emerging sustainability trends, materials, technologies, and regulations for the built environment.
• Lead sustainability workshops, charrettes, and trainings to advance knowledge and adoption.

Skills

Sustainability leadership

LEED AP / WELL AP

Energy modeling

Carbon reduction strategy

Project team mentoring

Public speaking

Education

Master’s degree preferred

Architecture / Environmental Design degree

Tools

EnergyPlus/OpenStudio

IES VE

Tally for embodied carbon

Autodesk Insight / Forma

Job description

Indianapolis, United States | Posted on 06/02/2026

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

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

About CSO

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

Primary Responsibilities

• Collaborate with project teams, clients, andconsultants to set sustainability goals and integrate sustainability throughall project phases, aligning goals with scope, budget, and schedule
  
• Advise project teams and clients on bestpractices in carbon reduction, energy efficiency, and resilience; clearlycommunicate sustainable strategies and outcomes
  
• Establish roles and responsibilities, fromproject start to finish, for designers, architects and managers on projectteams pursuing green building certifications (e.g. LEED, WELL, Parksmart) toensure projects meet or exceed certification goals and client requirements
  
• Research and remain current on emerging sustainabilitytrends, materials, technologies, regulations, incentives, and best practices withinthe built environment
  
• Conduct sustainability workshops, eco-charettes,integrative design sessions, and internal/external trainings to advancesustainability knowledge and adoption
  
• Foster a culture of environmental stewardship bymentoring staff on sustainable design principles, tools, and processes
  
• Partner with CSO’s Sustainability Committee todevelop and implement a sustainability vision, standards, and initiatives,including the AIA 2030 Commitment and carbon neutrality goals
  
• Support business development by incorporatingsustainability narratives into proposals, interviews, and other marketingmaterials
  
• Monitor and evaluate project sustainabilityperformance, including post-occupancy assessments when applicable
  
• Contribute to thought leadership throughpublications, presentations, conferences, and engagement in regional andnational 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 (ActiveAIA membership preferred)
  
• 5 to 8 years of experience in sustainable designwithin architecture or related built-environment fields
  
• Experience leading project design teams,engineering consultants and General Contractors through the complete LEEDCertification process, advising on sustainable design strategy, maintaining theLEED scorecard, and advising/mentoring the team on specific requirements forearning points and for uploading documentation resulting in the LEEDCertification
  
• Strong knowledge of green building ratingsystems, building codes, energy standards, embodied carbon frameworks, andclimate adaptation strategies.
  
• Excellent communication, leadership,collaboration, and presentation skills; ability to influence and educatemultidisciplinary teams and clients
  

Preferred Skills

• Experience with regenerative design,net-zero/carbon neutral projects, or advanced certifications (e.g., LivingBuilding Challenge, Zero Carbon)
  
• Proficiency in sustainability analysis tools(e.g., energy modeling software such as EnergyPlus/OpenStudio, IES VE,Ladybug/Honeybee, Tally for embodied carbon, Autodesk Insight and Forma)
  
• Able to perform, guide, or interpret life-cycleassessments (LCA), energy modeling, carbon calculations, daylighting analysis,and performance simulations to inform design decisions and quantifyenvironmental impact
  
• Familiarity with life-cycle costing, ESGprinciples, and policy advocacy in the built environment
  
• Passion for driving industry changes toward alow-carbon, equitable, and resilient future
  
• Portfolio or other examples demonstratingimpactful sustainable outcomes on built projects
  
• 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