Head of Regulated Portfolio

S&P Global; Greater London; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A global financial services company seeks a Senior Leader for their ESG ratings team in Greater London. This role involves shaping the ESG rating strategy according to EU and UK regulations, leading a global team of climate experts, and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. The ideal candidate will have over 15 years of experience in sustainable finance and financial regulation, combined with strong communication and analytical skills. The position offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits.

Benefits

Health care coverage

Generous time off

Resources for career growth

Competitive pay and retirement plans

Family-friendly benefits

Retail discounts

Qualifications

• Minimum 15 years of experience in ESG ratings, climate methodologies, or related domains.
• Fluent in English; proficiency in French or another EU language is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Shape the entity’s ESG rating strategy in line with regulations.
• Monitor ESG regulatory trends and advise on implications.
• Lead a team of ESG and climate experts.

Skills

Financial regulation

ESG ratings

Sustainable finance

Risk management

Compliance

Governance

Analytical thinking

Communication

Education

Legal or financial qualifications (CFA, ACA, LLM)

Job description

About the Role:

Grade Level (for internal use): 14

The Team: Sustainable 1 (S1) is part of S&P Global’s Energy division, focusing on integrating sustainability into business practices and decision‑making. The role leads a newly formed group on regulated products and serves on the S1 leadership team.

Responsibilities and Impact:

Strategic Leadership

• Shape the entity’s ESG rating strategy in line with evolving EU and UK regulations.
• Monitor global ESG regulatory trends and advise on strategic implications.
• Drive market‑relevant innovation in ESG analytics aligned with investors, financial institutions, and corporates.
• Team Management: Lead and inspire a global team of 15+ ESG and climate experts.
• Strategic Influence: Report directly to the Head of the Business for strategic decisions.

Regulatory Compliance & Authorization

• Lead the entity’s application for ESMA authorization or recognition as an ESG rating provider.
• Ensure ongoing compliance with Regulatory Technical Standards (RTS).
• Lead Regulatory Oversight: Manage all regulated methodologies and models.

Governance & Risk Management

• Ensure adherence to conflict‑of‑interest safeguards.
• Implement robust internal controls and audit mechanisms.
• Ensure board‑level oversight of ESG rating activities and regulatory risks.

Methodology Oversight and Integrity

• Oversee development and validation of ESG rating methodologies.
• Ensure rigour, consistency, integrity, quality, traceability, and transparency in all regulated methodologies.
• Methodology Stewardship: Translate complex technical concepts for non‑technical audiences.
• Ensure consistent application of methodologies and compliance with governance processes.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as primary contact for regulators and external stakeholders, representing the entity with clarity and authority.
• Lead responses to regulatory consultations and enforcement inquiries.
• Ensure alignment across SPGI regarding ESG ratings.
• Promote understanding of ESG ratings among clients and the public.
• Cross‑Functional Leadership: Collaborate with legal, compliance, risk, governance, government affairs, and senior leadership.

What We’re Looking For:

Basic Required Qualifications

• Proven experience in financial regulation, ESG ratings, or sustainable finance.
• Deep understanding of EU and UK regulatory frameworks (CSRD, EU Taxonomy, SFDR).
• Strong leadership in risk, compliance, and governance functions.
• Excellent communication skills for regulatory and stakeholder engagement.
• Legal or financial qualifications preferred (CFA, ACA, LLM).
• Extensive Experience: Minimum 15 years in ESG ratings, climate methodologies, or related domains.
• Location Requirement: Must be based in the EU or the UK.
• Language Proficiency: Fluent in English; additional fluency in French or another official EU language is a strong asset.

Additional Preferred Qualifications

• Analytical Excellence: High proficiency in modeling, quantitative analysis, and data interpretation.
• Exceptional presenter, able to communicate complex ideas clearly.
• Demonstrated agility across technical, regulatory, and strategic domains.
• Ethical Leadership: Proven track record of operating under strict codes of conduct.

About S&P Global Energy

Our global view of energy and commodities markets empowers customers to make superior decisions. Core capabilities include Platts, CERA, Horizons, and Events.

S&P Global Energy is a division of S&P Global (NYSE: SPGI). Learn more at www.spglobal.com/energy.

What’s In It For You?

Our Mission

Advancing Essential Intelligence.

Our People

We are more than 35,000 strong worldwide, driven by curiosity and a shared belief that Essential Intelligence builds a prosperous future.

Our Values

Integrity, Discovery, Partnership

Benefits

We take care of you, so you can take care of business.

• Health & Wellness: Health care coverage.
• Flexible Downtime: Generous time off.
• Continuous Learning: Resources to grow your career.
• Invest in Your Future: Competitive pay, retirement plans, student loan contribution.
• Family Friendly Perks: Benefits for partners and children.
• Beyond the Basics: Retail discounts, referral incentives, and more.

For more information on benefits by country visit: https://spgbenefits.com/benefit-summaries

Global Hiring and Opportunity at S&P Global

We foster a connected, engaged workplace with fair, transparent hiring practices.

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Equal Opportunity Employer

S&P Global is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to protected categories. Only electronic job submissions will be considered for employment.

If you need an accommodation during the application process due to a disability, please email [e-mail].

US Candidates Only: The EEO is the Law Poster describes discrimination protections under federal law: http://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf. Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision: https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ofccp/pdf/pay-transp_English_formattedESQA508c.pdf

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