Sustainable Design Leader | Commercial/Mixed-Use

HKS, Inc; California, San Diego (MO, CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Sustainable Design Leader to drive innovative design projects focused on sustainability and environmental stewardship. This role offers the opportunity to lead project teams, mentor staff, and implement integrative design strategies that align with the firm’s mission. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in advancing environmental, social, and governance objectives while ensuring high-performance outcomes in design. With a comprehensive compensation package and a commitment to employee well-being, this is a chance to make a significant impact in the field of sustainable design.

Benefits

Health, dental, and vision care coverage

401(k) plans

Life & AD&D insurance

Short/long term disability plans

Paid days off (sick leave, parental leave, vacation)

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in sustainable design and project management.
• Ability to lead project teams and deliver high-performance outcomes.
• Strong knowledge of building systems and sustainability guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Lead project integrative processes and workshops for sustainability.
• Create annual ESG objectives and manage project workloads.
• Prepare client presentations and maintain communication throughout projects.

Skills

Sustainable Design

Project Management

Team Leadership

Communication Skills

Problem Solving

Negotiation Skills

Organizational Skills

Education

Accredited professional degree in Architecture

Sustainable Design accreditation

Professional licensure in architecture

Tools

REVIT

AutoCAD

Sketchup

MS Office Suite

Photoshop

Illustrator

Grasshopper

DIVA

Energy Plus

Job description

Overview:

HKS is seeking a Sustainable Design Leader to join our team.

A primary managerial position in integrative process, technical implementation and sustainable outcomes on design projects and shares responsibility for project successes. Recognized ability to impact revenue and growth. Manages the firm's resources (people, processes and tools) and assignments with proficiency, fluency and aptitude. Teaches and mentors staff and effectively embodies and expresses the firm's values and mission. Advances enterprise level objectives for Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG).

Responsibilities:

• Performs responsibilities (regional, subject expert or practice based) including creatively engaging project teams as the visible "go-to" for sustainability issues, content and leadership (for a region, this includes delivering strategic enterprise improvements across region, assisting with staff promotion advocacy and annual review and identifying regional business opportunities for service expansion; for a subject expert this includes the development and dissemination of specialized technical content servicing clients, elevating design quality and HKS objectives; for a practice lead, responsibilities include deep knowledge of sustainability issues for the building and client type servicing clients, elevating design quality and HKS objectives
• Assists with creating annual ESG objectives, key results and actions
• Leads project integrative process and workshops including team member coordination, Nature of Place research and development, identification of sustainable/high-performance project goals and strategies
• Successfully delivers project certifications for third-party rating systems applying best practice, integrated design and performance analysis as needed
• Coordinates technical and analytic needs with Director of Integrated Energy Engineering and regional staff
• Leads and manages project workload and prepares proposals for HKS internal and stand-alone external project services
• Delivers project outcomes that align with firm objectives
• Supports Director of Sustainability in recruitment, interviews, hiring and management of DesignGreen staff
• Works with geographic offices to support ESG objectives and align with design, research and process enterprise objectives
• Provides project focused commentary and usability feedback on data systems
• Leads and/or assists with specialized research activities; assists with the identification and implementation of targeted research
• Supports Regional and Office objectives
• Prepares client presentations and presents design concepts
• Maintains open communication with client and provides guidance through projects
• Exercises skills of persuasion and negotiation on critical issues
• Maintains awareness of risk management for potential project issues and involves PIC/PM if needed
• Participates in and may lead team meetings to discuss project issues, technical issues and coordination with other disciplines
• Attends on-site visits, field reviews and project meetings and documents as needed

Qualifications:

• Accredited professional degree in Architecture, Engineering, Sustainable Design or related field; advanced degree preferred
• Professional licensure in architecture or related field preferred
• Typically 8+ years of experience
• Sustainable design accreditation
• Experience in wholistic integrative design delivery including charette facilitation and in systems thinking
• Familiarity with design and energy modeling applications such as Rhino, Grasshopper, Radiance, DIVA, REVIT, AutoCAD, Sketchup, IES VE, Sefaira, Insight360, Energy Plus, EnergyPro preferred
• Experience with Photoshop, Illustrator, Sketchup and InDesign graphic software preferred
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite
• Experience in LEED, WELL, Living Building, etc. submission and regulatory compliance energy modeling
• Knowledge of sustainability and integrated design guidelines
• Strong knowledge in interpreting and applying high-performance building standards such as ANSI, ASHRAE, IESNA and ASTM as well as building energy codes such as IECC and T24
• Strong knowledge of architectural building systems and building science
• Knowledge of QA/QC and specification process
• Knowledge of building codes and ability to research and apply/incorporate into technical documents
• Experience in logistics management including connecting people and resources to the right place at the right time
• Strong presentation skills
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to work on multiple projects at the same time
• Ability to manage team with diplomatic and collaborative leadership style which puts value on relationships and collaboration, both internal and external
• Ability to maintain existing client relationships and build new client relationships
• Ability to communicate and present ideas in a clear, concise and professional manner both verbally and in writing
• Ability to problem solve and apply innovative solutions
• Ability to collaborate and encourage collaboration in a team environment
• Ability to effectively meet deadlines at expected quality
• Travel will be required

Base Salary Range: $90k - $130k annually - applies to Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, New York, and Washington D.C. locations only

The estimate displayed represents the general base salary range of candidates hired in Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, New York, and Washington D.C. locations only. Factors that may be used to determine your actual salary may include internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training.

HKS offers a comprehensive total compensation & benefits package with health, dental, and vision care coverage, 401(k) plans, life & AD&D insurance, short/long term disability plans, paid days off (sick leave, parental leave, vacation), and much more for benefits-eligible employees. To learn more about our benefits visit this page.

Application Deadline: 04/01/2025

If you currently work for HKS, please submit your application via the Internal Careers Portal.

HKS is an EEO/AA Employer: M/F/Disabled/Veteran