Location Chicago
Job-type Permanent
Salary $Competitive
Reference 22300

Location: Downtown Chicago, IL

Work Type: In-office role, not open to remote

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Company Overview:

Bridge Industrial is a leading and innovative commercial real estate company committed to creating sustainable and environmentally responsible properties. Bridge believes in the power of sustainability to drive value, enhance tenant experiences, and contribute positively to the communities they serve. Reporting to the Senior Vice President of Development & Construction, the firm is seeking a dynamic, experienced, and strategic Director of Sustainability to lead their sustainability and ESG efforts and champion their commitment to environmental stewardship as they continue to expand their development portfolio.

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Role and Responsibilities:

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1. Sustainability Strategy:

  • Develop and execute a comprehensive sustainability strategy aligned with the company's long-term goals and industry best practices.

  • Provide leadership, establishing a clear vision for sustainability within the organization and communicating its importance to all internal and external stakeholders.

  • Be the company's face of ESG with special attention paid to domestic and international capital partners, understanding their requirements and goals; and keeping Bridge's program in line with capital expectations.

  • Work closely with the executive team to further the long-term sustainability strategy and support programs and priorities around material ESG issues for the firm.

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2. Reporting and Compliance:

  • Ensure accurate and transparent reporting on sustainability performance, tracking progress against established goals.

  • Ensure compliance with relevant sustainability regulations and disclosure requirements.

  • Apply relevant standards and frameworks to Bridge Industrial's ESG efforts. Use data, benchmarks, and insights from the standards to evaluate Bridge's performance.

  • Be responsible for Bridge's annual disclosures of ESG reporting, partnering with various executives and consultants to gather and verify data for investor and other external requests.

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3. Stakeholder Engagement:

  • Engage with internal and external stakeholders, including investors, tenants, and community partners, to promote and communicate sustainability initiatives and foster a culture of sustainability within the organization.

  • Collaborate with industry associations, sustainability networks, and other organizations to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices.

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4. ESG Integration:

  • Collaborate with the investor relations and finance teams for recommendations to integrate sustainability metrics and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors into company reporting and decision-making processes.

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5. Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy:

  • In collaboration with the Development and Property Management teams, implement energy-efficient measures and renewable energy solutions to decrease energy consumption and decrease the company's carbon footprint.

  • Explore innovative technologies and partnerships to optimize energy efficiency in buildings.

  • Utilize previous experience to determine appropriate placements of both solar and other renewable technologies, as dictated by financial guidelines and relevant codes.

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6. Green Buildings:

  • Collaborate with the Development team to recommend and incorporate sustainable building practices and green technologies into new developments.

  • Communicate with stakeholders regarding relevant sustainability certifications (e.g., LEED, BREEAM, WELL) for projects to demonstrate the company's commitment to sustainability excellence.

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7. Environmental Impact Mitigation:

  • Under the direction and in collaboration with the firm's Development and Operations teams, identify environmental risks and opportunities across the company's operations, projects, and properties. Key risks include but are not limited to federal, state, and local laws pertaining to building efficiency, carbon limits, etc.

  • Under the direction of the VP of Development, design and implement strategies to minimize the environmental impact of upcoming developments.

  • Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to establish benchmarks and targets for resource conservation and carbon reduction.

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Qualifications and Requirements:

  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Sustainability, Environmental Science, Engineering, Business, or a related field or an equivalent level of experience.

  • Minimum of 6 years of experience in sustainability roles, preferably within the real estate or property development industry, progressively leading to leadership responsibilities.

  • Demonstrated experience in executing sustainability strategies, including successful implementation of green building initiatives and ESG criteria.

  • Deep understanding of sustainable building practices, energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies.

  • Strong knowledge of ESG data analytics and principles and their integration into business practices and cross-functional processes.

  • Familiarity with the USGBC LEED volume program and Embodied Carbon

  • Superior written and verbal communication and presentation skills, with the ability to engage, educate and influence stakeholders at all levels through effective data and storytelling.

  • Proven leadership, vendor and project management skills, fostering a collaborative and results-driven work environment.

  • Strategic thinker with a track record of implementing sustainability solutions.

  • Possess strong analytical and creative problem-solving skills.

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Experience and mastery with the following make you a strong candidate:

  • Certifications such as LEED AP, BREEAM Assessor, or similar credentials.

  • GRESB, CDP, GRI, TCFD, SASB, including climate risk strategies suitable for application to both corporate occupiers and investor clients to align with industry standards.

  • Green House Gas (GHG) Protocol, including data collection, calculations, and baselining for Scopes 1, 2 and 3 emissions.

  • Strategy assignments, including ESG roadmap development, reporting framework gap analysis, portfolio analysis for cost reductions, communications strategy, and ESG policy review and creation.

  • Financial calculations to support client decision-making for sustainability-focused projects, including IRR, NOI, payback, asset value.

  • ENERGY STAR, Building HVAC Systems, International Living Futures Institute, Net Zero Carbon, Passive House, Zero Waste.

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Join Bridge Industrial as the Director of Sustainability and be part of a progressive organization committed to making a positive impact on the environment while driving business success. If you are passionate about sustainability and ready to lead transformative change, we encourage you to apply. Please contact Shannon Lewis at shannon.lewis@acre.com with any questions.