Decarbonisation Lead – UK Sustainability

Edinburgh - Scotland - United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, London - England - United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Manchester - England - United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Job Title: Decarbonisation Lead – UK Sustainability
Location: London, Manchester or Edinburgh
As the UK lead for Decarbonisation - one of CBRE's core strategic sustainability services - you will shape and deliver client strategies and programmes that drive meaningful impact. This role combines technical expertise with strong stakeholder engagement and thought leadership, ensuring projects are delivered to the highest standards. You will report to the Sustainability Technical Delivery Lead and collaborate closely with our Contracted Account and Technical Delivery teams.

In The Role You Be Engaged In The Following

• Stakeholder Engagement: Build and maintain strong relationships with client stakeholders, helping them establish ambitious and achievable strategies and design programme approaches aligned with their sustainability objectives. Ensure clear communication on progress, risks, timelines, costs, and fees, addressing issues proactively.
• Project delivery: Lead sustainability projects from initiation to completion. Work with matrix teams from across Sustainability Advisory on technical assessments and leverage CBRE's wider expertise to deliver end-to-end solutions. Manage project plans, timelines, budgets, and team workload to maximise efficiency and pipeline opportunities. Ensure delivery teams are engaging and managing clients and project sponsors, team members, and external partners.
• Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing: Foster a culture of collaboration and continuous learning. Act as a subject matter expert in decarbonisation, promoting best practice across Sustainability Advisory and CBRE, and providing clients with market leading advice and insights.
• Risk Management: Identify, assess, and mitigate project risks, including sustainability, regulatory, and reputational factors. Maintain robust risk management strategies.
• Performance Measurement: Track key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the success and progress of all projects addressing any issues promptly.

What You'll Need
Strategic Advisory & Planning

• Able to demonstrate a detailed understanding of the drivers for, and barriers to, decarbonisation within Client organisations, and showcasing knowledge of how Clients think about decarbonisation at the asset, fund/portfolio and house level, as well as how they manage this with their own stakeholders.
• Ability to create phased decarbonisation strategies aligned with client goals.
• Deep understanding of regional and global regulations (e.g., UK Net Zero targets, EU Taxonomy).
• A natural collaborator, able to foster and maintain relationships across teams and geographies.
• Experience of preparing cost-benefit analysis, ROI for retrofit projects, and green financing mechanisms.
• Experience in consultancy and within Client organisations beneficial.

Implementation & Delivery

• Demonstrable experience in managing complex Sustainability projects, with an established track record in net zero/decarbonisation strategy delivery and project planning, execution, and closure.
• Knowledge of smart building tech, IoT, and data-driven performance optimization.
• Strong manager of project multi-disciplinary teams. Proven track record at getting the best out of others and providing the appropriate training or coaching to deliver their work and develop their career.
• Experience in identifying, assessing, and mitigating project risks and bringing forward recommendations for stakeholders to consider.
• Able to communicate concisely, clearly and articulately; and demonstrates natural ability to adapt their style to the audience.

Technical & Analytical Expertise

• Expert knowledge of regulatory, market and technological drivers with respect to decarbonization allowing clients to make decisions with confidence, manage risk and create value-add opportunities
• Proficiency in GHG Protocol, SBTi, and ISO standards.
• Knowledge of energy modelling tools (e.g. IES)
• Deep understanding of building systems, HVAC, and operational efficiency.
• Familiarity with material impact analysis.
• Expertise in on-site energy generation, PPAs, and grid decarbonisation pathways.
• Active engagement with industry organisations (e.g. CRREM, BBP, UK GBC etc.) with a passion for driving innovation and best practice.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, strong attention to detail, and the ability to translate technical insights into actionable strategies.
• Degree or similar profession qualification in engineering related field and chartered engineer status preferred.

Why CBRE
When you join CBRE, you become part of the global leader in commercial real estate services and investment that helps businesses and people thrive. We are dynamic problem solvers and forward-thinking professionals who create significant impact. Our collaborative culture is built on our shared values — respect, integrity, service and excellence — and we value the diverse perspectives, backgrounds and skillsets of our people. At CBRE, you have the opportunity to chart your own course and realise your potential. We welcome all applicants.

Applicant AI Use Disclosure
We value human interaction to understand each candidate's unique experience, skills and aspirations. We do not use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to make hiring decisions, and we ask that candidates disclose any use of AI in the application and interview process.

Service line:
Advisory Segment