Director, Sustainability Regulatory Advisory

BDO USA, LLP; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 200,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ESOP ownership

Job summary

BDO USA, LLP is seeking a Sustainability Regulatory Advisory Director to lead growth and delivery of regulatory advisory services across ESG, climate disclosure, and producer responsibility regulations. You will drive client engagement, shape market strategy, and oversee complex engagements for multinational clients.

You will coordinate global and regional teams, deliver governance design, regulatory applicability assessments, and readiness programs while expanding the firm's capabilities in

Qualifications

• Ten (10) years of experience in sustainability consulting, assessing ESG regulatory requirements and disclosure obligations, developing climate risk assessment and GHG accounting, performing ESG internal control assessments, required
• Seven (7) years supervisory experience, required
• Strong understanding of sustainability reporting frameworks (both international and domestic), climate disclosure requirements, GHG emissions accounting and decarbonization strategy development, required
• Deep knowledge of CSRD, ESRS, ISSB, TCFD/GRI/SASB, SB 253, SB 261, EUDR, EPR, supply chain due diligence, human rights and responsible sourcing
• Experience coordinating global/regional project teams; client marketing and multi-pursuit experience; preferred in public accounting

Responsibilities

• Lead growth and delivery of sustainability regulatory advisory services.
• Develop market growth strategies across ESG, sustainability, ESG assurance and regulatory compliance.
• Build executive relationships across sustainability, risk, compliance, finance, legal, procurement and supply chain leaders.
• Own proposal development, RFP responses, and contract negotiations.
• Drive annual revenue and utilization targets with cross-selling across service lines.

Skills

Regulatory expertise

Leadership

Business development

ESG frameworks

Project management

Client relationship management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Sustainability, and/or Accounting, Economics, required

MBA or other relevant advanced degree, preferred

Tools

Power BI

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Summary:

The Sustainability Regulatory Advisory Director will lead the growth and delivery of sustainability regulatory advisory services. This role requires deep expertise in global ESG regulations, sustainability reporting frameworks, supply chain due diligence requirements, climate disclosure regulations, and producer responsibility obligations.

The individual will be responsible for generating new business opportunities, developing client relationships, leading complex advisory engagements, and delivering high‑quality regulatory compliance solutions. The role combines business development, subject matter expertise, hands‑on project execution, and thought leadership across rapidly evolving ESG regulatory requirements including but not limited to the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS), EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), California SB 253 and SB 261 climate disclosure requirements, and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations.

Job Duties:

Practice Growth

• Develops and executes market growth strategies for ESG, sustainability, ESG assurance and regulatory compliance services
• Identifies, qualifies, and pursues new consulting opportunities across priority industries including manufacturing, consumer products, retail, industrials, energy, and technology
• Leads proposal development, RFP responses, statements of work, pricing strategies, and contract negotiations
• Builds and maintains executive‑level relationships with sustainability, risk, compliance, finance, legal, procurement, and supply chain leaders
• Develops annual sales pipeline and achieve individual revenue and utilization targets
• Partners with internal account teams to identify cross‑selling opportunities across risk advisory, internal audit, supply chain, digital transformation, and sustainability services
• Represents the firm at industry events, conferences, webinars, and client roundtables
• Develops regulatory insights, whitepapers, and thought leadership materials to support market positioning and demand generation

Client Engagement

• Leadership and hands‑on execution of sustainability regulatory client engagements including:
  • Designs and implements governance structures, operating models, internal controls, compliance monitoring and reporting programs, including ESG software selection & implementation
  • Conducts regulatory applicability assessments
  • Compliance gap analyses
  • Readiness assessments
  • Maturity evaluations
  • Materiality and Double Materiality assessments
  • ESG software transformation and implementation
• Monitors emerging regulations and provides clients with actionable insights regarding regulatory changes, enforcement trends, and compliance expectations
• Other duties as required

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Establishes a vision and direction for growth and delivery of the Sustainability Risk Advisory Practice
• Supervises the workload of RAS Managers, Senior Associates and Associates on assigned engagements and reviews work product as needed
• Ensures select RAS Managers, Senior Associates and Associates are trained on all relevant software
• Acts as mentor to RAS Managers, Senior Associates and Associates, as appropriate
• Acts as a leader and projects a professional, positive attitude toward client and firm personnel

Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Sustainability, and/or Accounting, Economics, required
• MBA or other relevant advanced degree, preferred

Experience:

• Ten (10) years of experience in sustainability consulting, assessing ESG regulatory requirements and disclosure obligations, developing climate risk assessment and GHG accounting, performing ESG internal control assessments, required
• Seven (7) years supervisory experience, required
• Strong understanding of sustainability reporting frameworks (both international and domestic), climate disclosure requirements, GHG emissions accounting and decarbonization strategy development, required
• Deep knowledge and demonstrated experience with the following current regulations and arenas, required:
  • Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD)
  • European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS)
  • International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) requirements
  • TCFD, GRI, SASB, and related sustainability reporting frameworks
  • California Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act (SB 253)
  • California Climate‑Related Financial Risk Act (SB 261)
  • GHG Protocol and Reporting Standards
  • Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)
  • European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR)
  • Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations
  • Supply chain due diligence legislation
  • Human rights and responsible sourcing compliance programs
  • Supplier risk management and traceability frameworks
  • Australian Sustainability Regulatory Standards (ASRS)
• Circular economy reporting and compliance frameworks
• Experience in coordination of global and regional project teams, required
• Experience in client marketing and successfully participating in multiple client pursuits and proposal efforts, required
• Experience in a public accounting environment, preferred
• Experience in the use of various assurance applications and research tools as is appropriate for this level, preferred

License/Certifications:

• CIA, CPA, CFE, CISA, or equivalent certifications, preferred
• GRI, ESRS, SBTi or equivalent certifications, preferred

Software:

• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, required
• Experience with Power BI, preferred

Language:

• Other European languages (Italian, Spanish or French), preferred

Other Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Able to adapt style and messaging to effectively communicate with professionals at all levels both within the client organization and the firm
• Able to successfully multi‑task while working independently and within a group environment
• Able to collaborate with Principals, Managing Directors and Directors within other service lines and industries, as well as RAS leaders
• Superior analytical and diagnostic skills and ability to break down complex issues and implementing appropriate resolutions
• Capable of working in a demanding, deadline driven environment with a focus on details and accuracy
• Exceptional project management skills
• Travels 25% to 50% of the time, as needed

Individual salaries that are offered to a candidate are determined after consideration of numerous factors including but not limited to the candidate's qualifications, experience, skills, and geography.

National Range: $200,000 - $230,000

Maryland Range: $200,000 - $230,000

NYC/Long Island/Westchester Range: $200,000 - $230,000

At BDO, how we show up matters. We build strong relationships by supporting one another, our clients, and our communities with care, curiosity, and a commitment to helping one another grow and succeed. Here, you'll find meaningful work, leaders invested in your success, and opportunities to build a career around what matters most to you.

Our purpose is to be the people our clients count on to grow with confidence and achieve what matters most. Our values guide how we bring that purpose to life each day. Together, they shape how we work with one another, serve our clients, and create meaningful impact.

BDO provides assurance, tax, and advisory services to clients across the U.S. and around the world. No matter your role, you'll be part of a team helping clients navigate complexity and move forward with clarity.

As technology continues to shape how we work, BDO values the ability to apply generative and agentic AI solutions to develop work products, improve workflows and identify potential risks. Across our firm, we emphasize professional judgment in validating AI‑generated outputs for accuracy, quality, and compliance.

We are proud to be an ESOP company, offering participants a stake in the firm's success through beneficial ownership and a unique opportunity to enhance their financial well‑being. As a qualified retirement plan, the ESOP is a meaningful addition to our comprehensive compensation and Total Rewards benefits* offerings. It also reinforces an ownership mindset that strengthens our connection to one another, our clients, and the future we're building together.

*Benefits may be subject to eligibility requirements.

Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/vets