Head of Sustainability

Egon Zehnder; Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Head of Sustainability to drive impactful initiatives across various global functions. This pivotal role will focus on embedding sustainability into core operations, ensuring compliance with laws, and managing a dedicated team. The ideal candidate will possess strong project management skills and a deep understanding of sustainability frameworks. Join a firm that values leadership and innovation, where your expertise can significantly shape the future of sustainability in a collaborative environment. If you are passionate about making a difference and leading change, this opportunity is for you.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in project management and sustainability.
• Strong knowledge of sustainability frameworks and compliance regulations.

Responsibilities

• Lead sustainability initiatives and ensure compliance with regulations.
• Manage a small team and coordinate with global functions.

Skills

Project Management

Sustainability Frameworks

Analytical Skills

Communication Skills

Leadership Skills

Problem-Solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in business or equivalent

Job description

Head of Sustainability

* Please submit all application materials in English.

The Opportunity

Egon Zehnder is seeking a dynamic and experienced Head of Sustainability based in Zurich, Montreal, or Budapest, to lead and implement our sustainability initiatives. This pivotal role will focus on driving our sustainability agenda forward, ensuring alignment with our strategic goals, and embedding sustainability into the core of our business operations, as well as ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations in different jurisdictions around the world. The Head of Sustainability will report directly to our Chief Financial Officer and will work closely with various global and local functions, including Finance, Human Resources, Technology, and Legal, as well as our leaders and teams from offices worldwide.

What You’ll Do

Sustainability Strategy and Implementation:

• Lead the development and execution of sustainability-related initiatives, including Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi), Carbon Reporting, and Environmental Governance within the Firm.
• Oversee the implementation of applicable laws and regulations such as the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and ensure compliance with ESG disclosure cycles.
• Develop and implement initiatives that serve what our clients are looking for.

Project Management:

• Structure sustainability projects into work streams with detailed goals and clear owners, as well as ensure timely progress and delivery.
• Oversee multiple initiatives simultaneously, ensuring alignment with overall sustainability goals and solving issues.
• Regularly report to the Firm leadership on progress.

Team Management:

• Manage a small Impact team of 2-4 individuals directly and work in close collaboration with other interface functions.

Collaboration and Coordination:

• Foster strong collaboration with global and local functions, including finance, HR, technology, and legal teams, to ensure cohesive implementation of sustainability initiatives.
• Coordinate with local offices around the world to tailor sustainability efforts to local needs and contexts.
• Facilitate internal training programs to build sustainability knowledge and capacity across the organization.
• Create, participate in, and maintain a network of sustainability professionals to exchange ideas and innovation.

Reporting and Impact:

• Lead the development of the annual Impact Report, highlighting key achievements and progress in sustainability in coordination with our global Marketing team.
• Define and track impact pathways to measure the effectiveness of sustainability initiatives and ensure that external audits and client audits are done at the highest professional level.
• Answer ESG related sections of client’s RFPs.

What We’re Looking For

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in business or equivalent degree.
• Knowledge and experience of sustainability frameworks (e.g., SBTi, CSRD, ESG disclosure requirements), practices and principles.
• Minimum five-year applicable experience in project management and/or sustainability, ideally with exposure in global professional services.
• Project management skills with a track record of successfully structuring and delivering complex projects.
• Collaboration and communication skills, working effectively across diverse teams and geographies.
• Analytical and problem-solving abilities, strategic mindset as well as attention to detail.
• Proactive, results-oriented and tenacious.
• Leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to inspire and engage stakeholders at all levels and across a complex organizational structure.
• Languages: English, other languages are a benefit but not a must.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience managing a small team.
• Curiosity and commitment to continuous learning and improvement.
• Passionate about sustainability, environmental and social impact.
• Flexible and adaptable, managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

About Egon Zehnder

Egon Zehnder is the world’s preeminent leadership advisory firm, inspiring leaders to navigate complex questions with human answers. We help organizations get to the heart of their leadership challenges and offer honest feedback and insights to help leaders realize their true being and purpose.

We are built on a foundation that supports partnership in the truest sense of the word and aligns our interests with the interests of our clients. Our 560 consultants across 64 offices and 36 countries are former industry and functional leaders who collaborate seamlessly across geographies, industries and functions to deliver the full power of the Firm to every client, every time.

We partner closely with public and private corporations, family-owned enterprises, and non-profit and government agencies to provide executive search, leadership solutions, CEO search and succession, board advisory, and diversity, equity & inclusion.

We believe that together we can transform people, organizations and the world through leadership.

Due to high volume, we will only be contacting applicants who meet all of the minimum requirements listed in the job description. Only those applicants who align most closely with our minimum and preferred qualifications will be contacted for an interview.