Job Title
Managing Director, Sustainability & ESG Advisory
Job Description Summary
Cushman & Wakefield's Sustainability & ESG team is seeking an experienced Managing Director to support the development and implementation of sustainability and ESG advisory solutions for our investor and occupier clients in the Americas. Our directors form the leadership backbone of our Sustainability & ESG Practice. As a director, you will lead the day-to-day execution of client engagements, client satisfaction and growth, and guide and develop team members. The Managing Director will also collaborate with our real estate partners to develop innovative solutions to accelerate progress toward our clients' ambitious sustainability goals at the corporate, portfolio, and/or asset levels. While this individual will have broad sustainability knowledge, they will have a passion for developing and delivering strategic solutions to drive sustainability results for our clients.
Job Description
Primary Responsibilities:
Strategy Development & Execution-
- Lead a team of sustainability professionals focused on delivering sustainability consulting services at the asset or portfolio level across our service lines (Global Occupier Services, Asset Services, CW Services, etc.).
- Provide overall vision, strategy, and leadership to the Sustainability & ESG Advisory team by translating our global and regional sustainability strategies into functional plans and guiding their execution.
- Oversee Sustainability & ESG Advisory P&L, including accountability for revenue targets, business development, and client satisfaction, showing significant impact on the overall P&L for Sustainability & ESG Practice in partnership with your peers across our Sustainability & ESG Practice.
- Oversee the development and implementation of sustainability reporting solutions to a diverse group of Fortune 500 companies - ensuring occupier and investor clients achieve their sustainability and ESG goals.
- Provide leadership, day-to-day oversight, and management supervision over assigned teams and projects; and hold direct and matrixed team members accountable for delivering outstanding business results.
Business Development-
- Develop go-to-market strategy to drive revenue growth for the team including building new sustainability solutions for our real estate clients.
- Communicate Sustainability & ESG advisory value propositions to internal and external stakeholders.
- Actively lead proposals in collaboration with global and regional sustainability leaders.
- Serve as Sustainability & ESG Advisory Lead on pursuits with our service line teams (Global Occupier Services, Asset Services, CW Services, etc.).
Client Delivery-
- Manage suite of sustainability consulting solutions in collaboration with counterparts in EMEA and APAC.
- Develop and maintain strong working relationships with key internal and external stakeholders (including Business Line Leads, Client Relationship Managers, Sales teams, Account Directors).
- Ensure high level of execution and client satisfaction for all services performed and that the team meets or exceeds targets.
- Drive consistency of delivery of sustainability consulting solutions across accounts through development of playbooks, toolkits, manuals, and other resources.
- Identify new potential strategic partnerships with global sustainability providers and vendors to support delivery of new or existing services.
Marketing Support and Thought Leadership-
- Support the development and execution of our marketing efforts by participating in thought leadership, speaking engagements and other opportunities to increase C&W's visibility, differentiation, and reputation.
- Support the development of case studies; marketing materials; and other tools and resources as needed.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in subjects such as sustainability management, science, engineering, business, or equivalent through experience (master's degree preferred)
- At least 15 years of relevant experience (related to engineering and technical services in commercial real estate, corporate sustainability, consulting, or similar)
- At least 8 years of experience managing people and teams
- Ability to inspire, motivate, and guide team members towards achieving their goals.
- Proven experience in leading diverse teams, fostering a collaborative work environment.
- Strong decision-making skills with the ability to take responsibility for team outcomes.
- Strong balance of strategic and technical skills
- Exceptional and proven analytical, quantitative and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, managing multiple priorities effectively and meeting deadlines on schedule
- Passion for serving clients and delivering a positive client experience
- Exceptional written and oral communication skills, including experience making presentations to clients and their stakeholders
- Strong consultative selling skills and ability to act as a trusted client advisor
- Broad understanding of sustainability and ESG advisory within the real estate sector with expertise in the following:
- GHG accounting
- Benchmarking
- Materiality assessment
- Goal setting (SBTs, net zero, etc.)
- Sustainability strategies and programs
- Decarbonization roadmaps and pathways
- Climate risk assessments
- Green lease strategies and programs
- Sustainability and ESG reporting (GRI, SASB, TCFD, GRESB, CDP, etc.)
