Senior Sustainable Design Architect

Placements24; Gqeberha; Hybrid; ZAR 700,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote work

Flexible schedule

Professional development support

Impactful green projects

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Sustainable Design Architect for a fully remote team in South Africa. You will lead sustainable design initiatives across projects, ensuring energy efficiency, healthy environments, and regulatory compliance.

The role requires 7+ years in architecture, with at least 4 years in sustainable design and proven experience with Green Star SA and LEED certifications. Remote collaboration and leadership are essential.

Qualifications

• Professional Architect 'registration with SACAP' preferred.
• Master's degree or equivalent in Sustainable Design or related field.
• 7+ years of architectural experience with 4+ years in sustainable design.
• Experience achieving green building certifications (Green Star SA, LEED) highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and integration of sustainable design strategies across all project phases.
• Conduct environmental impact assessments and life cycle analyses for proposed designs.
• Specify sustainable materials, systems, and technologies to meet environmental targets.
• Manage certification processes for green building rating systems (Green Star SA, LEED).
• Collaborate with design teams to optimize building performance for energy efficiency and water use.
• Research and present emerging sustainable design trends and tools.
• Prepare sustainable design reports and client presentations.
• Mentor junior staff on sustainable design principles.
• Engage in post-occupancy evaluations to assess performance.
• Advocate for sustainable design within the firm and industry.

Skills

Sustainable design

Green building certifications

Remote collaboration

Leadership

Communication

Education

Master's degree in Sustainable Design or Environmental Architecture

Professional Architect registration with SACAP

Tools

Energy modeling software

LEED/Green Star workflows

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a forward-thinking architectural firm committed to environmental stewardship, is seeking a passionate and experienced Senior Sustainable Design Architect to join their fully remote team. This role is central to integrating cutting-edge sustainable design strategies into all aspects of the firm's projects, from conceptualization to completion. You will lead the charge in developing energy-efficient, environmentally responsible, and healthy buildings that minimize ecological impact and enhance occupant well-being. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of green building principles, certifications (e.g., Green Star SA, LEED), and innovative sustainable technologies. This is a remote-first position, requiring strong self-discipline, excellent virtual collaboration skills, and the ability to influence design decisions across geographically dispersed teams. You will work on a diverse portfolio of projects, championing sustainable practices and contributing to a greener built environment from your home office. The role focuses on promoting sustainable architecture within South Africa.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and integration of sustainable design strategies across all project phases.
• Conduct environmental impact assessments and life cycle analyses for proposed designs.
• Specify sustainable materials, systems, and technologies to achieve environmental performance targets.
• Manage the certification process for green building rating systems (e.g., Green Star SA, LEED), ensuring compliance and documentation.
• Collaborate with design teams, engineers, and consultants to optimize building performance for energy efficiency, water conservation, and occupant health.
• Research and present emerging sustainable design trends, tools, and best practices.
• Prepare sustainable design reports, presentations, and documentation for clients and stakeholders.
• Mentor junior architects and design staff on sustainable design principles and practices.
• Engage in post-occupancy evaluations to assess the performance of sustainable features.
• Advocate for sustainable design within the firm and the wider architectural community.

Requirements

• Professional Architect registration with SACAP is preferred.
• A degree in Architecture, with a Master's degree or equivalent specialization in Sustainable Design, Environmental Architecture, or a related field.
• A minimum of 7 years of architectural experience, with at least 4 years focused specifically on sustainable design and green building certifications.
• Proven experience managing and achieving green building certifications (e.g., Green Star SA, LEED AP accreditation is highly desirable).
• In-depth knowledge of sustainable building principles, passive design strategies, renewable energy systems, and healthy building materials.
• Proficiency in building performance simulation tools (e.g., energy modeling software) is a plus.
• Strong understanding of South African environmental regulations and building standards.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and collaboration skills, particularly in a remote setting.
• Ability to work autonomously, manage multiple projects, and meet deadlines consistently.
• A strong commitment to sustainable development and environmental responsibility.

Benefits

• Competitive salary package for a specialist role in sustainable architecture.
• Fully remote work arrangement offering significant lifestyle flexibility.
• Opportunity to work on innovative and impactful sustainable building projects.
• Contribution to a greener and more sustainable built environment in South Africa.
• Professional development support and opportunities to lead in the field of sustainable design.
• Collaborative virtual team environment.