Sustainability Associate

Associate, ESG & Sustainability Programs Position Summary A growing real estate investment organization is seeking an ESG & Sustainability Associate to help advance environmental performance initiatives across a diversified property portfolio. This individual will play a central role in coordinating ESG-related data, investor communications, performance benchmarking, and regulatory reporting efforts. Working closely with investment professionals, portfolio leadership, consultants, and property teams, the Associate will help develop practical sustainability initiatives, oversee performance measurement programs, and support firmwide ESG objectives. The role requires a combination of analytical capability, project management skills, and an understanding of how sustainability initiatives intersect with real estate investment performance. This position reports directly to senior leadership within the sustainability function and offers significant exposure to portfolio operations, investor relations, and asset management teams. Key Responsibilities ESG Program Execution Assist in implementing environmental and sustainability initiatives throughout the real estate investment platform. Partner with acquisition, investment, and asset management teams to incorporate ESG considerations into decision-making processes. Support the assessment of environmental risks, operational efficiencies, and long-term value creation opportunities across properties. Contribute to the development and rollout of portfolio-wide sustainability objectives and performance targets. Investor & Industry Reporting Coordinate annual submissions and disclosures related to ESG benchmarking and reporting frameworks. Liaise with external advisors and consultants to ensure accurate data collection, quality control, and on-time reporting deliverables. Support responses to investor requests, diligence inquiries, ESG questionnaires, and reporting requirements. Prepare sustainability updates, metrics, and presentation materials for internal and external stakeholders. Participate in relevant industry organizations and professional forums to identify emerging market trends and leading practices. Data Analytics & Portfolio Performance Serve as a primary resource for collecting, validating, and maintaining utility, emissions, and environmental performance data. Monitor energy, water, and carbon metrics across the property portfolio and identify areas for operational improvement. Produce analyses and reporting dashboards that track sustainability performance and portfolio trends. Enhance data management processes through automation, visualization tools, and reporting efficiencies. Develop recurring reports that communicate performance metrics to business leaders and investment teams. Regulatory & Compliance Support Monitor changing environmental regulations affecting commercial real estate assets. Assist with compliance efforts related to energy benchmarking requirements, building performance mandates, emissions disclosure rules, and other sustainability obligations. Maintain documentation and reporting records necessary to support regulatory adherence across the portfolio. Help evaluate the potential impact of new climate-related legislation and reporting requirements. Qualifications Approximately 3 to 7 years of experience within sustainability, ESG, real estate operations, environmental consulting, energy management, or a related discipline. Bachelor's degree in Environmental Studies, Sustainability, Business, Real Estate, Engineering, Data Analytics, or a comparable field. Practical experience working with environmental performance metrics, utility data, and portfolio reporting systems. Familiarity with ESG reporting standards, sustainability disclosures, greenhouse gas accounting methodologies, and industry benchmarking programs. Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret large datasets and transform findings into meaningful business insights. Experience creating reports, dashboards, and visualizations using business intelligence and reporting tools. Knowledge of real estate operating practices, investment management, or asset management environments is highly desirable. Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to present technical information to a non-technical audience. Strong organizational capabilities, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple deadlines simultaneously. Demonstrated success collaborating across departments and building productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Preferred Credentials Professional certifications such as LEED AP, WELL AP, ENV SP, or similar sustainability-related designations. Experience supporting institutional real estate portfolios or real estate investment organizations. Exposure to ESG benchmarking programs, greenhouse gas inventories, energy management initiatives, and climate-related reporting frameworks. Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Power BI, PowerPoint, and data visualization platforms.