Advisor-Sustainable Finance

Careers; Brussel Hoofdstad; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Group and health insurance

Meal vouchers

Travel insurance

Additional leave days

Job summary

WSBI-ESBG, based in Brussels, is seeking an Advisor – Sustainable Finance to join its Brussels office. You will monitor EU regulatory developments, develop policy positions and support members translating complex rules into practical approaches.

You will lead advocacy on EU sustainability rules, coordinate with stakeholders, and help integrate sustainability into banks' risk management and operations, strengthening the association's policy voice in Europe’s green transition.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of EU sustainable-finance legislation, policies and regulatory frameworks.
• Experience in policy analysis and advocacy in financial services, banking or sustainability.
• Familiarity with EU regulatory-simplification initiatives and links between sustainability, competitiveness, resilience, security and defence.
• Demonstrated ability to engage effectively with senior stakeholders, including EU institutions, policymakers, regulators and industry representatives.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex issues clearly, concisely and practically.
• Strong organisational and project-management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities.

Responsibilities

• Monitor EU sustainable-finance legislation, regulation and supervisory initiatives; assess implications for European banks.
• Draft position papers, consultation responses and advocacy materials.
• Lead advocacy on simplification and practical implementation of EU sustainability rules.
• Contribute to WSBI-ESBG policy positions and advocacy strategies, including CSRD considerations.
• Lead the Sustainable Finance Committee and coordinate discussions on integrating sustainability into banks’ business models and risk-management frameworks.
• Engage with EU institutions, policymakers, regulators and industry representatives to represent members’ interests.
• Organise dialogues and knowledge-sharing events to promote implementation practices.

Skills

EU policy knowledge

Stakeholder engagement

Policy analysis

Communication skills

Project management

English proficiency

Job description

The World Savings and Retail Banking Institute (WSBI) and the European Savings and Retail Banking Group (ESBG) represent a global and European network of more than 6,400 savings and retail banks across five continents, serving 1.7 billion customers. Rooted in a century of responsible banking, WSBI-ESBG promotes financial inclusion, sustainable growth and a strong, diverse retail-banking sector, while supporting members as they navigate an evolving regulatory, economic and digital landscape.

Learn more: www.wsbi-esbg.org

About the role:

To strengthen our expertise and respond to a rapidly evolving regulatory, economic and geopolitical environment, WSBI-ESBG is seeking a motivated and proactive Advisor – Sustainable Finance to join its Brussels office.

In this role, you will help shape sustainable-finance policy for European savings and retail banks. You will monitor regulatory developments, develop policy and advocacy positions, engage with key stakeholders and support members in translating complex requirements into practical approaches.

Key responsibilities:

Monitor and analyse EU regulatory developments

• Monitor EU sustainable-finance legislation, regulation and supervisory initiatives at Levels 1, 2 and 3, including the EU Taxonomy, ESG risk management, sustainability reporting and disclosure requirements.
• Analyse how sustainable-finance developments interact with broader priorities such as competitiveness, resilience, security and defence.
• Assess the implications for European savings and retail banks and provide timely, practical insights to members and management.

Develop policy, advocacy and representation

• Draft and provide strategic input to position papers, consultation responses, industry letters and other advocacy materials.
• Lead advocacy on the simplification and practical implementation of EU sustainability rules, helping to promote proportionate, accessible and workable frameworks.
• Contribute to WSBI-ESBG policy positions and advocacy strategies, including on the role of sustainable finance in Europe’s green transition and strategic competitiveness.

Lead the Sustainable Finance Committee

• Lead the Committee and ensure that ESBG members are informed and actively engaged in regulatory and market developments.
• Coordinate discussions on integrating sustainability into banks’ business models and risk-management frameworks.
• Facilitate the exchange of information, experience and good practices among members.

Engage with key stakeholders

• Represent members’ interests in discussions with EU and international institutions, policymakers, regulators, banking authorities and other stakeholders.
• Build and maintain constructive relationships with EU institutions and international organisations.
• Ensure that the savings and retail banking perspective is reflected in discussions at the intersection of sustainability, competitiveness, resilience, security and defence.

Organise events and promote dialogue

• Organise and facilitate high-level webinars, workshops and conferences to promote dialogue and share implementation practices.
• Equip members and management to address the operational and strategic effects of sustainability policies and regulations.
• Promote knowledge exchange and capacity building across the sector.

Advise on sustainability integration

• Advise members and management on integrating sustainability factors into banking operations, including risk management, lending and investment strategies.
• Help members understand and prepare for applicable sustainability-related reporting, disclosure and compliance requirements, including the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and related standards.
• Support members in translating evolving regulatory requirements into practical and proportionate organisational approaches.

Your profile:

• Strong knowledge of EU sustainable-finance legislation, policies and regulatory frameworks, together with a sound understanding of the wider economic and geopolitical context. Relevant professional experience is essential.
• Experience in policy analysis and advocacy, preferably in financial services, banking, sustainability or a related field.
• Familiarity with recent EU regulatory-simplification initiatives and with the links between sustainability, competitiveness, resilience, security and defence.
• Demonstrated ability to engage effectively with senior stakeholders, including EU institutions, policymakers, regulators and industry representatives.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex issues clearly, concisely and practically.
• Strong organisational and project-management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Ability to build effective working relationships across countries, organisations and professional backgrounds.
• A proactive, collaborative and solution-oriented approach, with the ability to work independently.
• Excellent command of English. Knowledge of other European languages is an asset.

What we offer:

• A competitive remuneration and benefits package, including group and health insurance, meal vouchers, travel insurance and additional leave days.
• A dynamic, multicultural and collaborative working environment in Brussels.
• Exposure to senior leaders, international members, policymakers, regulators and financial-sector stakeholders.
• The opportunity to contribute to the work of a long-established international banking association.
• Occasional travel within and outside the EU.