Director Building Decarbonization

Working for Equity Residential (EQR), a leading multi-family real estate investment trust (REIT), means being part of a community and striving to provide the best in apartment living, speaking boldly about new ideas for innovation, and inspiring creativity in the ways we work together. Our portfolio of high-quality properties in urban growth markets – New York City, Boston, Washington DC, Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles – provides homes where people most want to live, work and play. We've got the best people in the business, and our experience shows in our dedication to our residents and in how much we value each other as colleagues. That’s why our employees say they are proud to work at Equity, a company that gives our residents a place where they can “Live Remarkably,” and offers a culture where our employees have the opportunity to make their mark.

Under the direction of the Vice President, Environmental & Climate Adaptation, the Director, Building Decarbonization uses their technical expertise in building systems optimization and engineering to develop and execute the Company’s decarbonization capital program, which includes, but is not limited to: central systems, electrification, building tech, energy conservation capital projects, clean and renewable energy projects, and to provide in-house expertise on various building energy conservation, operation, and decarbonization efforts.

The Director, Building Decarbonization partners across all levels and departments of the organization (e.g., Investments, Facilities, Operations) with the shared goal of planning, budgeting, and executing a capital plan to reduce emissions and minimize regulatory exposure. This position requires someone who will autonomously vet and ideate potential ideas and solutions, solicit feedback, and clearly communicate key learnings and findings.

As a Director, you will help to drive organizational learning and change with respect to new and emerging technologies involving energy and decarbonization through independent research (including field research), participating and becoming a thought leader in leading organizations and consortia, and leading pilots and tests in our portfolio.

WHO YOU ARE

• A Leader. You build effective teams and provide direction to help those teams achieve goals and operate cooperatively and cohesively.
• A Strong Communicator. Your writing and speaking skills are clear, articulate, and effective, demonstrating your ability to interact with all levels and helping you connect well with others.
• Organized, Efficient, and Accountable. You have a keen eye for detail and pride yourself on delivering quality work. You multitask well, re-prioritize accordingly, and meet deadlines consistently. Above all, you are flexible and able to juggle the needs of changing priorities of the business.
• Analytical and Creative. You are comfortable analyzing and deciphering data, and evaluating trends. You’ve got strong quantitative skills and you know how to apply them accordingly. You also like thinking outside the box to come up with smart solutions to new challenges, and embrace the day-to-day construction management activities that challenge you to live in the gray.
• A Solution-Oriented Team Player. You enjoy partnering with others —whether internal or external— in order to get work done and deliver great results. You are united with teammates and follow through on commitments.
• Decisive. You have a sense of urgency to drive great results, are precise with executing your work, and have successfully demonstrated your ability to effectively influence others.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Develop and create a proactive and overarching strategy to optimize Equity’s building systems and structures for energy efficiency, cost reduction and carbon reduction. Partner closely with Investment Officers and Construction Services Teams in Equity’s markets to understand capital needs and maintain a 10 year sustainability capital plan for all properties.
• Serve as the enterprise’s subject matter expert for energy and decarbonization, including reviewing, assessing, and interpreting existing and new energy conservation measures along with new building technologies to recommend go-forward strategies and influence organizational decisions that optimize return on investment. Provide technical leadership and support to sustainability colleagues.
• Support Equity’s strategic compliance plan for municipal building energy performance standards, electrification/natural gas ban regulations, and net zero energy codes
• Lead the technical development and strategy for on-site renewable energy systems, grid interactive technologies, energy storage, and microgrid strategies.
• Support the Energy Manager as the strategic and technical lead for the Company's central BMS/EMS monitoring and control platform.
• Review emerging climate-focused technologies with a focus on controls, real time energy monitoring, equipment fault detection, passive house, electrification retrofits, heat pumps, renewable energy, and other energy efficiency and decarbonization technology. Provide technical guidance and recommendations. As necessary, seek, research, recommend, and pilot new technologies.
• Engage and oversee external consultants to evaluate existing mechanical, electrical, HVAC, plumbing systems, document energy performance and perform energy calculations, where needed.
• Demonstrate experience with sustainability and corporate energy/carbon reduction targets.
• Collaborate regularly with Operations, Accounting, Facilities, Investments, Development, Property Management, and Capital teams. Serve as an owner's-representative with third parties to vet and help drive new initiatives and collaborations.
• Regularly engage with external industry professionals to actively monitor trends within building systems, prop-tech, and energy and markets. Build go-forward relationships with those involved with ACEEE, ASHRAE, ULI and NMHC (among other organizations) on related topics including joining an ASHRAE Technical Committee. Understand market specific changes in technology, regulation, disclosure, etc.
• Perform other duties and/or special projects, as necessary.

REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's Degree required, preferably in Engineering, or Energy Management. A Graduate Degree is preferred.
• Professional Engineer (PE), LEED Accreditation, and/or Certified Energy Manager (CEM) preferred.
• 10+ years experience with mechanical building systems in multifamily or commercial building environments.
• Expertise with sustainability and corporate energy/carbon reduction targets.
• Must have experience working in a collaborative team environment driving cross departmental initiatives.
• Must have excellent analytical and quantitative data skills (including advanced knowledge of MS Excel), significant project management experience at an enterprise scale, and demonstrated experience developing and executing strategy across a large organization.
• Ability to influence others and make good business decisions, to think creatively when problem solving for new solutions, to work on numerous projects concurrently while effectively prioritizing workload.
• Must have excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Must have excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to build positive working relationships (both one-on-one as well as in a team setting).
• Familiarity with various Energy Building Performance Regulations, energy codes, net zero development codes, and natural gas ban/electrification requirements.
• Demonstrated expertise with clean and renewable energy systems and battery storage.
• Experience with EV charging systems is a plus.
• Willingness and ability for overnight travel to visit markets/properties, as necessary (up to 50%).

REWARDS

We recognize everyone has different needs outside of work. That’s why, in addition to a competitive benefits package (medical, dental, vision and paid time off), we offer many unique options to employees, like adoption benefits and paid time off for community service projects. To learn more, view our Total Wellbeing page here.