Senior Sustainability Specialist, NA (Albany)

About Vantage Data Centers

Vantage Data Centers powers, cools, protects and connects the technology of the world's well-known hyperscalers, cloud providers and large enterprises. Developing and operating across North America, EMEA and Asia Pacific, Vantage has evolved data center design in innovative ways to deliver dramatic gains in reliability, efficiency and sustainability in flexible environments that can scale as quickly as the market demands.

Sustainability Team

Vantage's Sustainability team works cross-functionally to embed sustainability into the design, development, and operation of resilient digital infrastructure to deliver long-term value for stakeholders. We act as strategic thought partners, identifying sustainability-related risks and opportunities, and building compelling business cases for initiatives that advance our business and deliver measurable, cost-effective impact. Through data-driven insights, we shape global, regional, and site-level sustainability strategies, set enterprise standards, enable execution, and communicate with clarity - accelerating Vantage's growth while achieving shared sustainability goals.

Position Overview

This role can be based in Denver, CO; Port Washington, WI; or Shackelford County, TX.

Vantage is seeking an experienced Senior Sustainability Specialist to drive project-level implementation of green building, carbon, and sustainability initiatives. As a key member of the North America sustainability team, this role will work cross-functionally to evaluate sustainability risks and opportunities, define objectives and execution plans, and achieve green building certification.

The ideal candidate brings technical expertise in green building practices and decarbonization along with a strong command of project management. They will be adept at working with multiple teams, engaging with the local community, and aligning sustainability strategy to business objectives.

The Senior Sustainability Specialist supports the implementation of Vantage's sustainability strategy within specific North American projects, ensuring that sustainability is integrated from early project planning through to delivery. Working closely with project teams, the Sustainability Director, and Sustainability Engineer, this role translates strategic objectives and local priorities into actionable project-level initiatives, provides technical guidance throughout the lifecycle, and helps position Vantage as an industry leader in sustainable practices.

Essential Job Functions :

Provide technical sustainability expertise for specific North American projects, supporting site selection, community engagement, design, engineering, and construction.

Manage execution of green building certifications and sustainability initiatives at the project level.

Align project-specific sustainability strategies with regional and global goals, define project-level KPIs, and establish sustainability objectives.

Support identification and assessment of sustainability-related risks and opportunities within projects, including community, regulatory, environmental, and customer-driven factors.

Utilize internal sustainability tools to evaluate sustainability and business impact across the entire project lifecycle.

Customize specifications, scopes of work, and technical documentation to enable specific project sustainability objectives.

Communicate key sustainability context, emerging regulations, local considerations, and customer expectations to guide design decisions and tradeoffs.

Track, validate, and document project-level sustainability data for internal reporting, external communications, and third-party certifications (e.g., LEED).

Lead identification, preparation, and submission of applicable rebate and incentive applications.

Additional duties as assigned by Management

Job Requirements :

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Sustainability, Business, or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

3-5 years of relevant experience in sustainability-related project management, green building, or environmental strategy.

Experience working on LEED new construction projects; LEED AP preferred.

Experience working in data center design, construction, or engineering is a strong plus.

Understanding of greenhouse gas accounting, energy modeling, and life cycle assessment methodologies.

Highly analytical with strong problem-solving capabilities.

Strong communication skills, with the ability to translate technical concepts into actionable plans and communicate with a range of stakeholders.

Comfortable working cross-functionally with construction, engineering, and design disciplines.

Organized, self-motivated, and capable of leading initiatives with limited supervision.

Travel required is expected to be up to 20% but may increase over time as the business evolves

Physical Demands and Special Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to handle, or feel objects; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop or kneel; talk and hear. The employee must occasionally lift and / or move up to 25 pounds.

Additional Details

Salary Range : $105,000 - $115,000 Base + Bonus (this range is based on Colorado market data and may vary in other locations)

This position is eligible for company benefits including but not limited to medical, dental, and vision coverage, life and AD&D, short and long-term disability coverage, paid time off, employee assistance, participation in a 401k program that includes company match, and many other additional voluntary benefits.

Compensation for the role will depend on a number of factors, including your qualifications, skills, competencies, and experience and may fall outside of the range shown.

#LI-GS1 #LI-Onsite

We operate with No Ego and No Arrogance. We work to build each other up and support one another, appreciating each other's strengths and respecting each other's weaknesses. We find joy in our work and each other, actively seeking opportunities to inject fun into what we do. Our hard and efficient work is rewarded with an above market total compensation package. We offer a comprehensive suite of health and welfare, retirement, and paid leave benefits exceeding local expectations.

Throughout the year, the advantage of being part of the Vantage team is evident with an array of benefits, recognition, training and development, and the knowledge that your contribution adds value to the company and our community.

Don't meet all the requirements? Please still apply if you think you are the right person for the position. We are always keen to speak to people who connect with our mission and values.

Vantage Data Centers is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Vantage Data Centers does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firm agencies. Fees will not be paid in the event a candidate submitted by a recruiter without an agreement in place is hired; such resumes will be deemed the sole property of Vantage Data Centers.