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Sustainable Investments Manager, Real Estate

Aberdeen • United Kingdom • Added on Aug 7, 2026
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This role leads the sustainability strategy for a vast real estate portfolio across Europe and Asia. You will bridge the gap between technical environmental data and commercial investment decisions, ensuring that climate risk and net-zero targets are embedded throughout the entire asset lifecycle. From influencing acquisitions during due diligence to driving asset-level decarbonization, you own the narrative of how sustainable value is created within the direct real estate business.

Sustainability is no longer a peripheral concern in finance; it is the core of long-term asset value. By joining this specialist team, you will be at the forefront of the built environment’s energy transition, navigating complex regulatory frameworks like SFDR and GRESB to ensure high-performance standards. Your work directly impacts the carbon footprint of global property holdings and helps shape how institutional capital responds to the climate crisis.

This suits someone who possesses a blend of real estate commercial acumen and technical ESG expertise. You should be comfortable influencing Investment Committees and translating complex GHG modeling into actionable business strategies.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The primary mission is to lead the sustainable investment agenda for the direct real estate business across Europe and Asia. This involves embedding ESG considerations into every stage of the investment lifecycle, from initial acquisitions and due diligence to long-term asset management and eventual disposal. You will be responsible for implementing net-zero delivery strategies at both the fund and asset levels. This includes overseeing ESG data systems, ensuring regulatory alignment with frameworks like SFDR and TCFD, and providing technical guidance to Investment Committees to ensure sustainability ambition matches commercial performance.

Key learning opportunities for this job

Candidates will gain deep exposure to advanced carbon modeling tools such as CRREM pathways and PCAF methodologies, which are becoming the gold standard for real estate decarbonization. You will also master the complexities of global ESG regulations, including the EU Taxonomy and MEES, providing a rare technical-legal skillset. Beyond technical knowledge, the role offers a high-level view of global asset management operations. Working within a major investment house provides insights into how institutional capital is being reallocated in response to climate change, offering a unique masterclass in sustainable finance and stakeholder influence.

How does the ideal candidate look like (experience, skills)?

The ideal candidate brings a robust background in real estate investment or sustainability consultancy. Technical knowledge of building systems, energy performance, and flood risk is essential, alongside a clear understanding of how these factors translate into financial CAPEX and OPEX modeling. Soft skills are equally vital; you must be a persuasive communicator capable of engaging with fund managers and external investors alike. A degree in a relevant field like environmental science, engineering, or finance is expected, supported by experience navigating reporting frameworks such as GRESB and INREV.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, demonstrate your ability to bridge the gap between technical environmental data and investment returns. Avoid generic sustainability statements; instead, provide specific examples of where you influenced a transaction or asset strategy using ESG metrics or climate risk assessments. Align your application with Aberdeen's focus on decision-useful data. Show that you understand not just how to collect ESG data, but how to use it to drive commercial value and satisfy rigorous investor requirements in a transparent, evidence-based manner.

What aspects of the company's sustainability is this role likely to focus on?

The role focuses heavily on the decarbonization of the built environment. This includes managing transition risks, improving energy efficiency across varied property types, and ensuring that all assets have a credible pathway toward net-zero emissions to prevent them from becoming 'stranded assets'. There is also a significant focus on governance and transparency. You will be the point person for high-stakes reporting and regulatory compliance, ensuring the firm maintains its reputation for integrity and market-leading ESG performance in the eyes of global institutional clients.

What are the main challenges someone in this role might face?

One of the key challenges is balancing sustainability ambitions with commercial viability. You may face pressure to justify the CAPEX required for deep retrofits against short-term fund performance targets, requiring strong analytical and negotiation skills. Additionally, the fragmented regulatory landscape across different jurisdictions in Europe and Asia presents a significant hurdle. Staying ahead of evolving standards like the EU Taxonomy while maintaining consistent data quality across a global portfolio requires immense attention to detail and systemic thinking.

How could a typical day look like for someone in this position?

A typical day might begin with reviewing ESG due diligence reports for a potential acquisition, followed by a meeting with asset managers to discuss decarbonization progress on a specific property cluster. You might then transition to a client-facing session, presenting the fund's GRESB performance to institutional investors. Afternoons are often spent on strategic planning or data governance, ensuring that carbon reporting systems are accurate and aligned with the latest GHG Protocol updates. The day often concludes with industry engagement, perhaps contributing to a working group for a forum like the Better Buildings Partnership.

What are the opportunities for professional growth and development in this role?

As a manager within a high-growth 'vector' of a major investment group, there are clear paths toward senior leadership within Sustainable Investing. Success in this role could lead to global head positions or strategic roles overseeing multiple asset classes beyond real estate. Furthermore, the high visibility of this role—interacting with Investment Committees and major clients—positions the candidate for strategic internal moves into fund management or broader corporate ESG leadership, given the increasing integration of sustainability into all core business functions.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will interact daily with Fund Managers and Asset Managers, providing the technical ESG insight they need to manage their portfolios effectively. You will also be a key contact for the Investment Committee, providing critical risk assessments for new deals. External stakeholders include institutional investors and clients, who look to you for assurance on sustainability performance. You will also engage with consultants, building engineers, and industry bodies like GRESB to ensure the firm remains at the cutting edge of industry standards.

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