About the Role
CSO is seeking a full-time Sustainability Leader to serve as the firm's primary expert and advocate for sustainable design, guiding the integration of environmental responsibility, energy efficiency, carbon reduction, and resilience into all projects. This role provides strategic direction on sustainability across the firm's portfolio, advises project teams, leads project certification pursuits, and drives thought leadership to position the firm as a leader in sustainable architecture. This position focuses on firm-wide sustainability strategy and expertise rather than day-to-day project management.
This is an opportunity to step into a leadership role at CSO where your expertise will directly shape the sustainable future of the built environment. You will be part of a design practice that values innovation, continuous learning, and meaningful impact. Your leadership will help develop what sustainability means as a component of CSO's core purpose.
About CSO
CSO is an Indianapolis-based architecture and interior design firm committed to creating environments where people and communities thrive. Our collaborative culture and multidisciplinary expertise allow us to deliver innovative, client-focused solutions across a wide range of markets. We believe that design has the power to inspire, connect, and improve the way people live, work, and interact. Learn more at www.csoinc.net.
Primary Responsibilities
- Collaborate with project teams, clients, and consultants to set sustainability goals and integrate sustainability through all project phases, aligning goals with scope, budget, and schedule
- Advise project teams and clients on best practices in carbon reduction, energy efficiency, and resilience; clearly communicate sustainable strategies and outcomes
- Establish roles and responsibilities, from project start to finish, for designers, architects and managers on project teams pursuing green building certifications (e.g. LEED, WELL, Parksmart) to ensure projects meet or exceed certification goals and client requirements
- Research and remain current on emerging sustainability trends, materials, technologies, regulations, incentives, and best practices within the built environment
- Conduct sustainability workshops, eco-charettes, integrative design sessions, and internal/external trainings to advance sustainability knowledge and adoption
- Foster a culture of environmental stewardship by mentoring staff on sustainable design principles, tools, and processes
- Partner with CSO's Sustainability Committee to develop and implement a sustainability vision, standards, and initiatives, including the AIA 2030 Commitment and carbon neutrality goals
- Support business development by incorporating sustainability narratives into proposals, interviews, and other marketing materials
- Monitor and evaluate project sustainability performance, including post-occupancy assessments when applicable
- Contribute to thought leadership through publications, presentations, conferences, and engagement in regional and national 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 (Active AIA membership preferred)
- 5 to 8 years of experience in sustainable design within architecture or related built-environment fields
- Experience leading project design teams, engineering consultants and General Contractors through the complete LEED Certification process, advising on sustainable design strategy, maintaining the LEED scorecard, and advising/mentoring the team on specific requirements for earning points and for uploading documentation resulting in the LEED Certification
- Strong knowledge of green building rating systems, building codes, energy standards, embodied carbon frameworks, and climate adaptation strategies.
- Excellent communication, leadership, collaboration, and presentation skills; ability to influence and educate multidisciplinary teams and clients
Preferred Skills
- Experience with regenerative design, net-zero/carbon neutral projects, or advanced certifications (e.g., Living Building 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-cycle assessments (LCA), energy modeling, carbon calculations, daylighting analysis, and performance simulations to inform design decisions and quantify environmental impact
- Familiarity with life-cycle costing, ESG principles, and policy advocacy in the built environment
- Passion for driving industry changes toward a low-carbon, equitable, and resilient future
- Portfolio or other examples demonstrating impactful sustainable outcomes on built projects
Benefits
Benefits
- 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
- Student loan repayment program
- Professional development opportunities
- and much more
