Sustainability Leader

Indianapolis, United States | Posted on 06/02/2026

CSO is seeking a full-time Sustainability Leader to serve asthe 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 onfirm-wide sustainability strategy and expertise rather than day-to-day project management.

This is an opportunity to step into a leadership role at CSOwhere 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 todeliver innovative, client-focused solutions across a wide range of markets. Webelieve that design has the power to inspire, connect, and improve the waypeople live, work, and interact. Learn more at  .

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) toensure projects meet or exceed certification goals and client requirements
• Research and remain current on emerging sustainability trends, materials, technologies, regulations, incentives, and best practices withinthe 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 todevelop 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, Green build, etc.)

Qualifications

• Professional degree in Architecture,Environmental Design, Sustainable Design, Engineering, or related field(Master’s preferred)
• LEED AP, WELL AP, and/or similar credentials (ActiveAIA 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 LEEDCertification process, advising on sustainable design strategy, maintaining theLEED scorecard, and advising/mentoring the team on specific requirements for earning points and for uploading documentation resulting in the LEEDCertification
• 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…