Associate | Climate Strategy & Mitigation Specialist

About Buro Happold

Buro Happold is focused on shaping the cities and built environment of the future. From visioning to implementation, we work alongside our clients to develop tailor‑made and highly effective solutions, providing expertise in policy design, sustainability and resilience, infrastructure, land use, governance, and operations. We take an interdisciplinary approach to each project, using data analytics, evidence‑based planning, and stakeholder engagement to bring new ideas, critical thinking, leadership, facilitation skills and an understanding of what it takes for cities today to meet the challenges of tomorrow.

Expect the exceptional. From the projects you will work on to the clients we work with. From career‑defining opportunities to an inclusive and diverse practice where we all contribute to a more equitable world. From our reputation to our relationships. Wherever your Buro Happold career takes you, it’ll be anything but ordinary.

We are looking for a full‑time candidate to join our Advisory team, with a preference for location in Los Angeles. Projects are anticipated to be a mix of strategic planning and technical analysis, ranging across different scales and sectors. This role is to provide project leadership, technical guidance and support for climate action planning and GHG emission reduction modelling and contribute to the delivery of high‑quality materials to our clients.

This role’s responsibilities include helping to lead complex projects, conducting quantitative and qualitative research, data analysis and modelling, producing data visualization and graphics, and contributing to the delivery of high‑quality materials to our clients. Projects span the public sector, higher education, and corporate environment.

During your time in this role, you can expect to work on some of the following:

• Lead complex climate‑related projects for external clients, such as climate action plans, GHG inventories, sustainability plans, and other projects focused on mitigation and/or resiliency
• Manage climate‑related projects, including developing project work plans, scopes, timelines, costing, and specific analyses to be completed
• Manage internal teams and external sub consultants, providing clear direction, feedback, and structure to engagements
• Support business development, by authoring proposals, joining client pitches, and writing scopes of work in collaboration with Buro Happold leadership
• Research and provide direction in development of recommendations
• Oversee creation of, or personally create and deliver reports, presentations, models, and other deliverable for key stakeholders
• Build and maintain relationships with governmental and quasi‑governmental entities, private sector clients, civic and community organizations, cultural and professional organizations, and advocacy groups
• Facilitate workshops clients around sustainability, resilience, and climate mitigation
• Provide overall guidance and management of junior staff
• Participate in local Professional Associations

The successful applicant will have a degree in urban planning, urban policy, economics, real estate, sustainability management, engineering, or similar. The following experience and skills are expected:

• 7‑10 years of consulting experience in a climate‑, resilience‑ or sustainability‑related field.
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills
• Well‑versed in GHG Protocol and carbon accounting approach & frameworks
• Well‑versed in GHG mitigation strategies and pathway options for achieving Net Zero emissions
• Strong quantitative analysis skills and experience delivering projects which include complex data analysis, energy assessments, GHG accounting and forecasting
• Ability to manage projects against tight timelines, manage the contributions of internal and external collaborators, and have a proactive and collaborative style
• Ability to effectively communicate complex climate mitigation and GHG emissions concepts, in written and oral form, to a diverse range of professionals
• Extensive experience with Microsoft Excel and Power Point
• Experience with Adobe Creative Suite products (InDesign,…