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Sustainability Data Optimization Manager

JLL, Austin, TX, United States


Core Responsibilities
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; escape 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.

Global Utility Cost & Consumption Data Management

Lead the collection, validation, and centralized management of utility cost and consumption data (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.

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.

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.

Qualifications
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

Certified Energy Manager (CEM) – AEE

LEED AP or Green Associate – USGBC

Certified Sustainability Professional (CSP)

Project Management Professional (PMP)

Core Competencies & 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

Key Systems & Platforms

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

Additional Information
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

Location:

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

Personalized benefits that support personal well‑being and growth:

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

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

Jones Lang LaSalle ("JLL") is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected status. JLL adheres to the legal compliance framework including EEO policies and local, state, and federal laws.

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