Sustainability Data Optimization Manager

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At JLL, we are driving sustainability through everything that we do, across all service lines and job positions. Specifically, we are growing our Sustainability practice to drive end-to-end sustainability solutions in real estate data optimization. 

The Sustainability Data Optimization Manager serves as the organization's central authority for utility cost management, consumption data governance, and sustainability reporting integrity. This role is accountable for the timely and accurate payment of utility invoices across the United States and Canada, the collection and integration of global utility cost and consumption data into enterprise systems, and the execution of a rigorous client-facing data verification process. The position bridges the disciplines of energy management, financial operations, and data integration, making it a critical enabler of both operational efficiency and corporate sustainability goals.

The ideal candidate brings a combination of certified energy management expertise, accounts payable process knowledge, and proficiency in data integration tools and platforms. This individual will collaborate daily with Finance, Sustainability, Facilities, IT, and external clients to ensure that energy and utility data are accurate, timely, audit-ready, and actionable.

1. Utility Bill Payment — United States & Canada

• Oversee the end-to-end utility invoice payment process through client’s payment systems for all US and Canadian accounts, ensuring accurate coding, timely payment, and elimination of late fees.
• Review and audit all assigned utility invoices (electricity, natural gas, water/sewer, steam, and other commodities) against applicable rates, tariffs, and contracted terms.
• Serve as the primary liaison between the Energy & Sustainability team and client Accounts Payable (AP) and Procurement teams to facilitate seamless invoice approval workflows and general ledger coding.
• Identify and resolve billing discrepancies, duplicate charges, rate misapplications, and missing invoices in collaboration with utility vendors.
• Maintain complete, accurate vendor account records and ensure that account transfers, new accounts, and disconnections are reflected promptly in bill management systems.
• Monitor and manage utility payment exceptions; escalate unresolved issues and track resolution to closure.
• Support the development and maintenance of utility payment procedures, internal controls, and compliance documentation aligned with AP policy.

2. Global Utility Cost & Consumption Data Management

• Lead the collection, validation, and centralized management of utility cost and consumption data (examples include: electricity, natural gas, water, fuel, steam, and waste) across the client’s portfolio.
• Administer and optimize the enterprise utility bill management platform (e.g., SmartExpense, SAP/Ariba, or equivalent), ensuring data completeness, integrity, and timeliness across all regions.
• Establish and enforce standardized data quality protocols, including unit normalization, currency conversion, time-period alignment, and standard data entry processes.
• Develop and maintain automated data pipelines and integration frameworks that facilitate the timely ingestion of utility data from multiple sources — including electronic data interchange (EDI), utility portals, manual entry, and third-party providers.
• Coordinate with regional energy managers, facility teams, and country-level contacts to obtain missing data, resolve gaps, and ensure global data coverage.
• Maintain and manage accounts within EnVizi and other benchmarking platforms, ensuring data is current and accurate for performance benchmarking and regulatory reporting.
• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual utility cost and consumption reports with variance analysis and commentary for senior leadership, finance, and client stakeholders.
• Support the development and tracking of energy budgets, accruals, and forecasts by providing accurate historical consumption and cost data.
• Lead the client’s quarterly and annual data verification process for assigned portfolio location.

3. Data Integration & Systems Management

• Design, implement, and manage integrations between the utility bill management platform and enterprise systems including ERP/financial systems (e.g., SAP, Ariba), sustainability reporting platforms, and BI/visualization tools (e.g., EnVizi, Power BI, Tableau).
• Collaborate with IT and third-party software vendors to develop API connections, ETL pipelines, and automated data flows that reduce manual entry and improve data reliability.
• Troubleshoot and resolve data integration issues, platform errors, and feed failures; maintain integration documentation and version control.
• Evaluate and recommend new technologies, platforms, and tools to enhance data integration capabilities and reporting efficiency.
• Support the rollout and adoption of new data management capabilities, including training internal staff and client teams on platform use and data processes.

4. Data Verification & Client Reporting

• Execute and continuously improve the client-facing data verification process, ensuring that all reported utility cost, consumption, and emissions data are accurate, complete, traceable, and audit-ready.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for external assurance providers, auditors, and client representatives during data verification and assurance engagements.
• Prepare documentation, source data evidence, audit trails, and data dictionaries required for limited or reasonable assurance reviews.
• Investigate and communicate significant data variances to clients, providing root cause analysis and corrective action recommendations.
• Develop and maintain standardized data verification templates, checklists, and procedures to ensure consistency across the global portfolio.
• Respond to client inquiries regarding data methodology, platform outputs, and sustainability reporting, translating technical findings into clear, non-technical summaries.

Education

• Bachelor's degree required in Energy Management, Environmental Science, Engineering, Accounting, Finance, Sustainability, or a closely related field.
• Master's degree in a related discipline is a plus.

Required Experience

• 5+ years of progressive experience in energy management, utility data management, sustainability reporting, or a closely related role.
• Demonstrated experience managing utility bill payment processes and/or accounts payable workflows in a multi-site, corporate environment.
• Hands-on experience with utility bill management or energy management software platforms (e.g., ExpenseSmart, SAP, Ariba, EnVizi or equivalent).
• Experience developing or managing data integrations between energy management systems and enterprise platforms (ERP, BI tools, or sustainability platforms).
• Experience with client-facing data verification, audit support, or assurance processes related to sustainability or financial data.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel (advanced), Power BI, or other data analysis and visualization tools.

Preferred Experience

• Experience supporting utility bill management across both the United States and Canada.
• Familiarity with US and Canadian utility market structures, provincial rate regulations, and energy reporting requirements.
• Experience with ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager administration, including API data integrations and municipal benchmarking submissions.
• Background in corporate real estate, facility management, or outsourced energy/sustainability services.
• Knowledge of ESG and sustainability reporting frameworks: CDP, GRI, TCFD, ISSB, CSRD, GRESB.
• Experience with ETL pipeline development, SQL, or scripting languages (Python, R) for data management.
• Experience with GHG accounting frameworks (GHG Protocol Scope 1, 2, and 3), including preparation of emissions inventories and regulatory or voluntary disclosures.

Certifications

Preferred / Strongly Preferred

A Plus / Beneficial

• Certified Energy Manager (CEM) — AEE

• LEED AP or Green Associate — USGBC
• Certified Sustainability Professional (CSP)
• Project Management Professional (PMP)

Technical Skills

Professional & Leadership Skills

• Utility rate analysis & tariff interpretation
• Energy management software administration
• GHG Protocol Scope 1, 2, & 3 accounting
• Data integration & ETL pipeline management
• Advanced Excel, Power BI, or Tableau
• Accounts payable workflow & GL coding
• Variance analysis & financial reporting

• Client relationship & stakeholder management
• Cross-functional collaboration (Finance, IT, Ops)
• Strong written & verbal communication
• Attention to detail & data accuracy discipline
• Problem-solving & root cause analysis
• Project & process management
• Ability to manage multiple priorities globally
• Continuous improvement mindset

Candidates should have experience with, or demonstrated ability to quickly learn, the following types of systems:

• Utility Bill Management: ExpenseSmart, SAP, Ariba, EnVizi or equivalent
• ERP / Accounts Payable: SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, or equivalent
• Data Visualization: Power BI, Tableau, or similar BI platforms
• Productivity & Collaboration: Microsoft 365 (Excel, SharePoint, Teams), Box

This position does not provide visa sponsorship. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Estimated compensation for this position:

120,000.00 – 130,000.00 USD per year

This range is an estimate and actual compensation may differ. Final compensation packages are determined by various considerations including but not limited to candidate qualifications, location, market conditions, and internal considerations.

Location:

On-site –Austin, TX, New York, NY, Poughkeepsie, NY, San Jose, CA, Yorktown Heights, NY

If this job description resonates with you, we encourage you to apply, even if you don’t meet all the requirements.  We’re interested in getting to know you and what you bring to the table!

Personalized benefits that support personal well-being and growth:

JLL recognizes the impact that the workplace can have on your wellness, so we offer a supportive culture and comprehensive benefits package that prioritizes mental, physical and emotional health. Some of these benefits may include:

• 401(k) plan with matching company contributions

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental & Vision Care

• Paid parental leave at 100% of salary 

• Paid Time Off and Company Holidays

• Early access to earned wages through Daily Pay

At JLL, we harness the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to efficiently accelerate meaningful connections between candidates and opportunities. Using AI capabilities, we analyze your application for relevant skills, experiences, and qualifications to generate valuable insights about how your unique profile aligns with the specific requirements of the role you're pursuing.

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