Sustainability Manager

JOB SUMMARY

The Sustainability Manager leads the property’s sustainability and social impact management system, translating Marriott International’s Serve 360 strategy, The Ritz-Carlton Community Footprints platform and the commitments of Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, into measurable operational results. The role integrates responsible operations, certification readiness, environmental stewardship and community impact into business planning and the luxury guest experience, while engaging Ladies and Gentlemen and collaborating with property leaders, ownership, Marriott resources, Peninsula Papagayo, Creciendo Juntos and external partners.

The position drives continuous improvement across energy, greenhouse gas emissions, water, waste, responsible sourcing, biodiversity, volunteerism, hospitality education and human rights. It ensures that performance, certifications, commitments and external claims are supported by accurate data, documented evidence, practical action plans and meaningful stakeholder engagement.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Management, Environmental Engineering, Sustainability, Sustainable Tourism, Natural Resources, Business Administration, Hospitality or a related field; 3-5 years of relevant experience in sustainability, environmental management, ESG, hospitality operations, project management or a related professional area.

Experience coordinating cross-functional projects, audits, certifications, data collection and performance reporting.

Hospitality, tourism, luxury resort, destination or multi-stakeholder experience preferred.

Professional proficiency in English and Spanish required.

Preferred Knowledge and Skills

Knowledge of Marriott Serve 360, the Serve 360 Scorecard, MESH, SPROUT and Just Report It, or comparable sustainability data and reporting systems.

Working knowledge of Costa Rica’s Certification for Sustainable Tourism (CST), including management, environmental and sociocultural requirements; experience with recognized third-party certifications such as ISO 14001, ISO 50001, Bandera Azul Ecológica, Green Key or equivalent is preferred.

Ability to analyze resource-consumption data, establish baselines, monitor key performance indicators, identify trends and present practical recommendations.

Strong project management, documentation, facilitation, communication and stakeholder-management skills.

Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint and Word; comfortable learning corporate reporting and analytics platforms.

CORE WORK ACTIVITIES

• Leading Sustainability Strategy and Governance
• Leads the property sustainability management system and annual action plan, with clear objectives, targets, owners, timelines, resources and review cycles.
• Translates Marriott’s Serve 360 coordinates—Nurture Our World, Sustain Responsible Operations, Empower Through Opportunity, and Welcome All and Advance Human Rights—into property-level priorities and measurable initiatives.
• Chairs or coordinates the Sustainability Committee and establishes disciplined follow-up, accountability, risk escalation and corrective-action processes.
• Maintains the property’s sustainability policy, stakeholder map, impact assessment, material risks and opportunities, procedures and evidence library.
• Partners with the Hotel Manager and Executive Committee to embed sustainability into business planning, capital priorities, operating decisions and the guest experience.
• Managing Serve 360 Performance and Data
• Owns property-level coordination of the Serve 360 Scorecard and Sustain Index, monitors results and develops recovery plans when performance is below target.
• Coordinates complete, accurate and timely utility and sustainability reporting in MESH, SPROUT, Just Report It and other required systems.
• Validates monthly energy, water, solid waste, food waste and renewable-energy information with Engineering, Finance, Culinary, Stewarding and Procurement, including units, source completeness and supporting invoices or records.
• Tracks energy use intensity, water use intensity, emissions-related performance, MESH compliance, waste reporting, certifications, renewable energy, volunteer hours and nature activities.
• Maintains dashboards and provides concise monthly and quarterly performance reports, trends, business cases and recommendations to property leadership and relevant stakeholders.
• Ensures data, claims and reports are traceable, validated and supported by reliable documentation.

Driving Responsible Operations

Partners with Engineering to assess and implement energy, water and emissions-reduction initiatives, including operational controls, preventive maintenance, audits, metering, efficient equipment and renewable-energy opportunities.

Leads waste minimization and diversion efforts, including accurate measurement, source segregation, recycling, food-waste prevention, food donation where permitted, responsible disposal and circular-economy opportunities.

Coordinates efforts to reduce single-use products and packaging while protecting luxury standards, hygiene, safety and the guest experience.

Works with Procurement, Culinary and operating departments to advance responsible sourcing, local sourcing, sustainable seafood, cage-free eggs, certified paper and other Marriott priorities where available.

Identifies measurable efficiencies, avoided costs and return-on-investment opportunities, and prepares practical proposals for leadership and ownership consideration.

Supports environmental compliance and maintains required permits, records, vendor documentation and operational controls in coordination with responsible departments.

Managing Certifications, Audits and Continuous Improvement

Leads the property’s CST process, including gap assessment, work plan, assignment of departmental responsibilities, evidence collection, internal review, submission, site-visit preparation and corrective actions, with the objective of achieving and maintaining the strongest feasible certification level.

Coordinates with Peninsula Papagayo, relevant hotels and partners to leverage shared destination information and avoid duplication while preserving clear ownership of Nekajui’s evidence and commitments.

Supports other approved sustainability certifications and recognition programs, including ISO, Bandera Azul Ecológica, Green Key or applicable equivalents.

Maintains an audit-ready repository of policies, procedures, training records, consumption data, supplier evidence, photographs, communications, meeting minutes and corrective-action records.

Conducts periodic internal reviews and follows findings through closure, measuring effectiveness and updating the strategy as needed.

Protecting Biodiversity and Strengthening Destination Impact

Coordinates initiatives that protect, restore or enhance nature and biodiversity in partnership with Peninsula Papagayo, specialists, authorities and community organizations.

Promotes responsible interaction with wildlife, native flora, protected areas, archaeological resources and cultural heritage, ensuring guest and associate guidance is accurate and consistent with applicable requirements.

Documents nature activities, participant information, outcomes and evidence required for Marriott and local reporting.

Supports destination resilience, emergency collaboration and initiatives related to water stewardship, ecosystem conservation and climate adaptation.

Advancing Community and Social Impact

Leads The Ritz-Carlton Community Footprints program at the property in alignment with the Gold Standards and Marriott Serve 360, translating validated community priorities into an annual plan of meaningful service, partnerships and measurable outcomes.

Serves as the primary property liaison with Creciendo Juntos, Peninsula Papagayo’s social impact initiative, aligning Nekajui’s participation with its 2026–2030 strategy across education, technical training and employability, health and well-being, community development, and Peninsula Papagayo catalytic projects.

Ensures initiatives are shaped through active listening, respectful dialogue and validated community needs, and coordinates participation by Ladies and Gentlemen, leaders, guests and Members with clear objectives, safeguards, approvals, communications and partner roles.

Supports relevant initiatives in environmental education, hospitality and technical skills, local employability, health and well-being, sustainable home gardens, local producers and entrepreneurs, inclusion, sports, arts and preservation of Guanacaste’s cultural identity.

Coordinates with Human Resources, Learning and Development and operating departments to connect community education and employability programs with responsible access to hospitality career exposure, training and local opportunities.

Defines and monitors social-impact indicators, including volunteer participation and hours, beneficiaries, satisfaction and feedback, economic and in-kind contributions, partnerships, program continuity and verified outcomes; maintains supporting evidence and reports eligible activities accurately in Just Report It and other applicable systems.

Coordinates needs-based community support during emergencies and supports programs that promote human rights, accessible and responsible tourism, and prevention of human trafficking and exploitation, in collaboration with designated internal and external partners.

Builds constructive, transparent and sustainable relationships with government agencies, tourism organizations, schools, municipalities, nonprofit organizations, local entrepreneurs, producers and community representatives, avoiding duplication and strengthening shared accountability.

Building Culture, Capability and Engagement

Develops an annual sustainability engagement and training plan for Ladies and Gentlemen, leaders and relevant third parties.

Delivers sustainability content during New Hire Welcome and provides department-specific training on resource conservation, waste segregation, biodiversity, responsible sourcing and other priorities.

Develops campaigns, tools and practical standards that enable departments to incorporate sustainability into daily work without compromising safety, quality or service.

Recognizes participation and shares verified progress internally to build ownership and reinforce Marriott’s core value to Serve Our World.

Supporting Responsible Communications and Guest Experience

Partners with Sales and Marketing, Public Relations, Rooms, Food and Beverage, Spa and The Explorers to translate verified programs into accurate guest-facing content and experiences.

Reviews environmental and sustainability claims to ensure they are specific, evidence-based, current and not misleading; maintains an approved fact base and supporting documentation.

Supports meetings and events sustainability efforts, including responsible materials, food-waste reduction, local sourcing and impact reporting where applicable.

Identifies appropriate opportunities for guests to participate in cultural, community and environmental activities while respecting local partners, heritage and ecosystems.

At Marriott International, we are dedicated to being an equal opportunity employer, welcoming all and providing access to opportunity. We actively foster an environment where the unique backgrounds of our associates are valued and celebrated. Our greatest strength lies in the rich blend of culture, talent, and experiences of our associates. We are committed to non-discrimination on any protected basis, including disability, veteran status, or other basis protected by applicable law.