Assistant Vice President - ESG Planning, Policy and Engagement

Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation; Singapore; On-site; SGD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading banking corporation is seeking a qualified professional to develop and manage their sustainability and ESG compliance programme in the APAC region. This role involves engaging with subsidiaries to ensure adherence to regulatory expectations while enhancing the bank's sustainability initiatives. Candidates should possess strong analytical skills, experience within the banking sector, and relevant academic background in environmental management or related fields.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years in sustainability or ESG roles, including banking or consultancy.
• In-depth understanding of sustainability, ESG, and environmental risks.
• Proven experience in developing sustainability compliance programs.

Responsibilities

• Develop and monitor APAC's sustainability and ESG compliance programme.
• Support the management of sustainability policies and procedures.
• Engage subsidiaries to ensure compliance with ESG policies.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Education

Environmental management

ESG law and policy

Sustainable finance

Job description

• Develop, drive and monitor APAC's sustainability and ESG compliance programme.
• Actively engage subsidiaries across the region to ensure regulators expectations are met where sustainability and ESG are concerned.
• Support the management of sustainability and ESG policies and procedures, including developing and advising on new policies for identifying, managing, and monitoring environmental and social risks; and ensuring that they remain relevant and effective in building firm-wide resilience, as well as aligned with regulations and market best practices.
• Work cross-functionally with internal stakeholders to help define and drive the implementation of sustainability and ESG related frameworks, policies and guidelines.
• Support efforts to coordinate and standardise ESG risk and compliance processes and procedures across the region to ensure consistency and efficiency.
• Facilitate awareness and capacity building on ESG risk management within the Bank.
• Act as a point of escalation for complex risk and compliance issues, providing support as needed.
• Engage subsidiaries in the region to ensure prompt adoption and localisation of the Group ESG policies and to ensure compliance with Group core standards.
• Provide support on internal business units-led sustainability initiatives and collaborating with the business units in enhancing the Bank's sustainability communication through all available channels.
• Work with internal stakeholders to collate information for various sustainability related communications and reporting requirements for the region.
• Support communications with relevant teams in Tokyo Head Office to ensure alignment with Group policies, programs and initiatives.

Key Attributes and Skills

• Minimum 5years working experience in a corporate sustainability, ESG policy and compliance, ESG risk management or relevant discipline with at least 2 years experience working in a sustainability or ESG role within the banking sector or a consultancy.
• Relevant academic studies in environmental management, environmental law, ESG law and policy, climate change, sustainable development, sustainable finance.
• In-depth understanding of sustainability, ESG and environmental risk topics, international reporting standards and frameworks, regulatory trends in Asia, as well as industry best practices.
• Proven experience in developing and implementing sustainability and ESG compliance programmes, policies and controls in the banking sector.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with a keen attention to detail.
• Possesses professional and interpersonal skills to establish good working relationships with stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently as well as within the team
• Ability to multi-task, prioritise and work under tight deadlines.
• Effective communication and writing skills; ability to synthesise information quickly and concisely.
• Knowledge in Japanese language would be an advantage to support communications with Tokyo Head Office, although not a requirement