Summary
Stantec is seeking a Sustainability Specialist in Dubai to guide sustainable design across projects from early concept through post-occupancy evaluation. The role includes developing sustainability strategies, leading green building certification submissions, performing energy and carbon analyses, and advising on environmental compliance and resilience. Candidates need at least 8 years of sustainability consultancy experience, including 4 years on Middle East projects, and a record of achieving recognized building certifications. LEED AP BD+C is required; a relevant bachelor's degree is also required.
The posting
As published on stantec.com. Pulled from the employer's site and shown as they wrote it.
Key Accountabilities and Responsibilities:
The successful candidate will be an authoritative voice on sustainable design within the practice, shaping projects from pre-concept through to post-occupancy evaluation. They will embed sustainability principles across all project disciplines, drive certification submissions to successful outcomes.
Sustainability Strategy & Advisory
▪ Define and lead project-specific sustainability strategies tailored to client ambitions, budget constraints, and program requirements at each design stage.
▪ Conduct sustainability workshops, charrettes, and design reviews with multidisciplinary project teams and clients.
▪ Advise on passive design measures including building orientation, massing, façade performance, shading, natural ventilation, and daylighting to minimize mechanical loads.
▪ Develop net-zero carbon roadmaps for projects targeting operational and/or embodied carbon reduction goals.
▪ Conduct embodied carbon assessments (up front carbon, whole-life carbon) using One Click LCA, EC3, or equivalent tools.
▪ Advise on sustainable materials selection, circular economy principles, and responsible sourcing standards (FSC, REACH, EPDs).
Green Building Certifications
▪ Lead and manage certification programs across multiple frameworks: LEED v4/v4.1 (BD+C, ID+C, O+M), Estidama Pearl Rating System (PRS), BREEAM New Construction / In-Use, WELL Building Standard (v2), Fitwel, and GSAS.
▪ Prepare credit documentation, energy calculations, simulation reports, and supporting narratives for submission to certification bodies (USGBC, BRE, IWBI, GORD, UPC).
▪ Track credit status across all active projects, proactively identifying risks and solutions to maintain targeted rating levels.
▪ Liaise with local authority sustainability requirements: DM Green Building Regulations (Dubai), Abu Dhabi ESTIDAMA (UPC), UPDA (Qatar), and MOMRA (KSA).
▪ Manage relationships with certification body reviewers and ensure timely responses to RFIs and reviewer comments.
Energy Modelling & Technical Analysis
▪ Perform whole-building energy modelling using IES VE, DesignBuilder, or eQUEST for LEED/Estidama compliance, ASHRAE 90.1 baseline comparisons, and design optimization.
▪ Conduct parametric studies to evaluate design alternatives: glazing ratios, HVAC system types, building envelope performance, and renewable energy generation.
▪ Carry out daylighting and glare analyses using DIVA-for-Rhino, IES VE, or Radiance to support LEED/WELL daylight credits and occupant comfort strategies.
▪ Assess thermal comfort using PMV/PPD analysis, adaptive comfort models, and outdoor thermal comfort (UTCI, PET) for public realm and outdoor spaces.
▪ Prepare water consumption calculations and water budget models supporting LEED and Estidama water efficiency credits.
Develop renewable energy generation assessments (PV, solar thermal) and advise on on-site and off-site renewable energy procurement strategies.
Environmental & Regulatory Compliance
▪ Prepare Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) and Environmental Management Plans (EMP) as required by local authority mandates.
▪ Advice on indoor environmental quality (IEQ) strategies: low-VOC materials, ventilation rates, acoustic performance, and biophilic design integration.
▪ Coordinate waste management frameworks, construction waste diversion plans, and operational waste strategies.
▪ Support climate risk and resilience assessments for infrastructure and masterplan projects.
Practice & Business Development
▪ Contribute to business development by preparing technical sustainability proposals, fee estimates, and participating in client interviews.
▪ Represent the firm at sustainability forums, green building council events (USGBC, UKGBC, Emirates Green Building Council), and CPD sessions.
▪ Develop and maintain internal sustainability design guidelines, calculation templates, and credit compliance checklists.
▪ Mentor junior sustainability team members and embed a culture of sustainability across all building services disciplines.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Architectural Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or Architecture with a strong sustainability focus.
- Master's degree in Sustainable Design, Environmental Engineering, or equivalent is advantageous.
- Minimum 8 years of experience in sustainability consultancy, with at least 4 years on projects in the Middle East.
- Track record of successfully achieving LEED Gold/Platinum, Estidama 2 Pearl or above, and/or BREEAM Very Good/Excellent on delivered projects.
- LEED AP BD+C (USGBC) required; WELL AP, BREEAM AP, or Estidama Accredited Professional are highly desirable.
- Chartered status (CEng, CEnv, or equivalent) is preferred.
- Energy modelling: IES VE (advanced proficiency required), DesignBuilder, eQUEST, EnergyPlus.
- Daylighting & thermal comfort: DIVA-for-Rhino, Climate Consultant, Ladybug Tools (Grasshopper/Rhino).
- Embodied carbon: One Click LCA, EC3 (Building Transparency), Tally.
- Certification portals: LEED Online, Arc platform, BREEAM Online, Estidama Pearl portal, Fitwel portal.
- BIM familiarity: Revit (sustainability data extraction), Navisworks; AutoCAD.
- Advanced MS Excel (energy dashboards, data analysis), PowerPoint (stakeholder presentations).