Sustainability Program Manager

JLL empowers you to shape a brighter way.  

Our people at JLL are shaping the future of real estate for a better world by combining world class services, advisory and technology for our clients. We are committed to hiring the best, most talented people  and empowering them to  thrive, grow meaningful careers and to find a place where they belong.  Whether you’ve got deep experience in commercial real estate, skilled trades or technology, or you’re looking to apply your relevant experience to a new industry, join our team as we help shape a brighter way forward.   

Sustainability Program Manager, Waste & Water – JLL

What this job involves:

At JLL, we are driving sustainability through everything we do, across all service lines and job positions. As a Sustainability Program Manager on the Sustainable Operations team, you will lead the coordination and implementation of waste management and water stewardship strategies across commercial real estate portfolios. You will support comprehensive resource management initiatives, develop innovative programs, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to achieve client sustainability goals and deliver zero waste solutions. This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on environmental performance while working with diverse industries and global portfolios.

What your day-to-day will look like:

• Provide strategic support to sustainable operations team and internal cross-functional teams, specific to waste and water program strategy and execution across commercial real estate portfolios.

• Collaborate with internal team members, clients, and stakeholders to execute comprehensive resource management initiatives that meet or exceed client expectations and sustainability goals.

• Develop and lead comprehensive resource management initiatives with elevated quality and professionalism, including project timelines, budgets, milestones, and deliverables.

• Conduct forensic waste audits, water assessments, sustainability program evaluations, and gap analyses while providing oversight of team members for both desktop and field projects.

• Draft comprehensive reporting, trainings, playbooks, and policies related to waste reduction, water conservation, reuse strategies, and integrated resource management approaches.

• Present qualitative and quantitative results of resource management program initiatives utilizing complex data sets, spanning multiple waste and water reduction projects and their interconnected impacts.

• Coordinate procurement and deployment of assets, technology, vendors, and programs to streamline integrated resource management program deployment, including vetting potential partners and value-added market offerings.

Required Qualifications:

• University degree demonstrating subject matter expertise (e.g., Sustainability, Environmental Engineering, etc.).

• TRUE Zero Waste Advisor accreditation required.

• 5+ years' experience in sustainable operations and/or engineering of commercial buildings, with demonstrated experience leading complex waste and water management programs.

• Proven project management experience specific to successful achievement of zero waste certifications, including TRUE Zero Waste certification.

• Advanced data management experience, including comfort developing and presenting consolidated reports to diverse audiences from operations to C-suite level.

• Strong technical experience with waste vendor systems, services, assets/equipment, vendor management, as well as water management & automation systems and metering.

• Excellent relationship-building abilities with clients and internal teams, coupled with proven project management experience and exceptional communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• LEED accreditation preferred.

• Additional zero waste certification experience (such as UL) preferred.

• Knowledge of sustainability frameworks including CDP, GRI, SASB, TCFD, GHG Protocol, and rating/ranking agencies, plus comprehensive ESG knowledge.

• Deep understanding of regional geographic infrastructure impacts and opportunities related to waste processing, waste-to-energy, organics, composting/digestion, material recovery facilities, and water systems.

• Demonstrated experience influencing cross-functional teams and working effectively with corporate clients, commercial property stakeholders, and property managers with strong understanding of landlord-tenant relationships.

Location: Ideally located in Charlotte, Dallas or St. Louis. Travel locally ac