Principal, Climate Risk and Resilience

THE ORGANIZATION 

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is a global, nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C., working to improve environmental sustainability, human health, and resilience in the built environment through its programs and rating systems including LEED, PERFORM and ARC. Today, people in over 180 countries and territories live, work, and learn in LEED certified buildings, communities, and cities that protect health, climate, and natural resources, and enhance quality of life. 

USGBC is currently seeking a Principal, Climate Risk and Resilience to join our Innovation and Research Team. The Innovation and Research Team is responsible for driving thought leadership, identifying market trends and opportunities, informing product strategy and optimization, expanding the green building body of knowledge, and reporting impact of our work and influence. This role will lead our global research and innovation agenda on climate risks and resilience, adaptation strategies, and market divers and responses. 

The Principal, Climate Risk and Resilience provides strategic direction, coordination, and subject matter expertise in the domain and related sectors. This individual will have responsibility across the USGBC and GBCI platform, informing a wide range of products and programs and will be part of the Innovation & Research team. 

This position is approved to work remotely. 

Specific Responsibilities: 

Strategy Development 

• Develop and execute a roadmap to increase the relevance and quality of USGBC’s climate risk and resilience related activities. 
• Develop a deep understanding of USGBC’s existing capabilities, intellectual property, and relationships to identify and leverage the strategic opportunities for bolstering relevance and impact relating to climate risk and resilience. 
• Maintain an enterprise-wide vision and roadmap on climate risk and resilience opportunities in areas of relevance. 
• Collaborate with senior leadership to define the vision and long-term goals of this focus for USGBC. 

Product and Program Advisement 

• Serve as research and thought partner with technical subject experts across the organization maintaining expertise in market trends and developments to facilitate best-in-class products.  
• Provide climate resilience expertise and advisory services in the technical development of LEED, PERFORM, Arc, and other products. 
• Advocate for the integration of climate resilience into broader sustainability and risk management strategies and USGBC programs and products. 
• Partner with USGBC’s Advocacy team to track policy developments and opportunities related to climate risk management and resilience. 
• Advise Global and US-based Market Transformation and Development staff on outreach strategies and initiatives to engage relevant organizations. 

Research 

• Create research agenda to strengthen the linkage between green buildings, communities and cities, climate risks and resilience, and economic implications. 
• Recommend data needs and infrastructure to measure and track resilience-related KPIs of our work and impacts. 
• Stay up to date on the latest climate and economic data, research findings, policy developments, and market drivers.  
• Communicate findings through research reports, policy briefs, and presentations to various stakeholders, including senior leadership, policymakers, and the public. 
• Create and supervise working groups and engage consultants as needed.  

Capacity Building 

• Increase internal, cross-functional capacity in the domain of resilience to support standards development, education, advocacy, and other organizational initiatives 
• Develop and generate content for courses, workshops, and events focused on climate resilience and adaptation and green building certifications. 

Thought Leadership and Industry Influence 

• Serve as an internal and external thought leader, helping to affirm USGBC’s unique position and relevance through a range of activities, including speaking, writing, teaching, and mentoring. 
• Identify and establish strategic partnerships for advancing USGBC’s mission and business with an emphasis on resilience and its intersection the built environment and health, equity and decarbonization.    
• Convene real estate stakeholders, research organizations, and private sector partners to advance understanding and solutions regarding climate risks and resilience. 
• Represent the organization in key expert forums and professional bodies 
• Manage relationships with key stakeholders, including funders, USGBC member companies, industry experts, and government bodies, to support research initiatives. 

Employee Supervision 
 This position does not currently supervise staff. 
  
  
Travel Requirements 
 10-15% to serve as spokesperson and representative at industry events and strategic partner meetings, as well as periodic visits to DC for in-person meetings. 
  
Education & Training Requirements/Preferences 

• Minimum of 15 years' experience related to climate risk and resilience in the built environment at multiple scales (e.g. building to community) 
• Master's degree in a related field required, PhD preferred 
• LEED Green Associate required; LEED AP preferred 
• Strong knowledge of risk assessment tools and resilience frameworks. 

Other Required Skills and Qualifications 

• Comprehensive knowledge of related science, policy, market drivers, and stakeholders 
• Expertise in quantitative and qualitative research methods, data analysis, and risk modeling. 
• Familiarity with climate risk and resilience software or tools (e.g., GIS, climate modeling software). 
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for presenting complex research findings to diverse audiences. 
• Ability to influence decision-makers and drive action toward climate resilience. 
• Ability to manage multiple competing priorities. 
• Attention to detail to ensure high quality outputs. 
• Entrepreneurial and innovative spirit and ability to deliver unique solutions to complex problems. 
• Senior-level influence experience in related positions 
• Ability to develop long term strategic plans and lead execution of plans. 
• Outstanding public speaking ability 
• Ability to establish and maintain strong interpersonal relationships with a diverse array of individuals and constituents 
• Commitment to mission of the USGBC. 

Certifications/Additional Training (Optional): 

• Certifications in climate risk assessment or resilience planning  
• Knowledge of global reporting frameworks and guidelines (e.g., IPCC, UNFCCC, taxonomies and ESG frameworks). 
• Familiarity with LEED and other GBCI Programs 

Details: 

• Full Time, permanent, salaried, benefits-eligible, exempt status 
• Location: Remote or hybrid position in Washington, DC headquarters 
• Hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 5:30 pm EST, 40 hours per week, occasional evening and weekends 
• Travel – upon request and approval. 
• USGBC is an equal opportunity employer, committed to advancing social equity in our work and fostering a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion. 
• Salary for candidates located within the United States:  Non-negotiable annual salary is set between $150-$180K.

Benefits: 

Employees work for an established mission-based and member-driven nonprofit organization with a compelling vision, nonprofit competitive compensation that includes 401k matching, tuition reimbursement, comprehensive health insurance, employer sponsored Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) and pre-tax Flexible Spending Account (FSA), generous paid leave, in addition to a renewal leave of six weeks for employees celebrating monumental employment anniversary. 

The headquarters office is a LEED Platinum commercial interior space in a LEED certified building in the LEED Platinum certified central business district in the first LEED Platinum certified city, Washington, DC. The office serves as an example for green design and construction products and practices. It is close to public transportation and incorporates many healthy and environmentally friendly features, including an on-site gym, rooftop lounge and healthy snacks for staff.