Manager - Climate Change and Sustainability

EY; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 700 000 - 900 000; Full time

Job summary

A global leader in assurance and consulting is seeking a Manager for their Climate Change and Sustainability team in Johannesburg. The ideal candidate will assist in delivering sustainability assurance and reporting engagements. Responsibilities include managing client relationships, driving business development, and ensuring adherence to methodologies. Candidates should have a degree in relevant fields and at least 6 years of work experience, including project management and sustainability reporting. Excellent communication skills and proficiency in MS Office are essential. This role offers an opportunity to impact sustainability practices across various sectors.

Qualifications

• 1+ years project management experience required.
• Minimum of 6 years work experience, including sustainability reporting.
• Postgraduate qualification relevant to the service area is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to manage sustainability risks.
• Deliver assurance on non-financial and sustainability metrics.
• Manage client relationships and lead project delivery.
• Write reports and prepare client presentations.
• Drive business development by identifying leads and opportunities.

Skills

Project management expertise

Understanding of ESG

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Education

Degree in commerce, chemical engineering, or social sciences

Tools

MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)

Job description

Job description

At EY, we are fully committed to empowering you to shape your future with confidence. We will support your success within a globally connected network of diverse teams, enabling you to take your career in any direction you choose. Join EY and help to build a better working world.

Manager-Climate Change and Sustainability

The opportunity

Assist the Partner in the successful delivery and management of external sustainability assurance and reporting engagements, both on-site and at client premises, while ensuring adherence to the firm's established methodologies and practices. This position requires the development of strong client relationships and effective team management. Support the business area leadership in implementing the sustainability assurance and reporting strategy by identifying prospective business leads, crafting and presenting persuasive proposals, and participating in various business development initiatives to foster growth and strengthen client relationships.

Key responsibilities

• Collaborate within a multidisciplinary team to assist organisations in managing and reporting on sustainability and climate-related risks and impacts. Deliver assurance on non-financial reporting, including sustainability metrics, emissions, and energy reporting across various sectors.
• Develop strategies, solutions, methodologies, and analytical frameworks to help clients navigate regulatory environments and manage stakeholder expectations.
• Support clients in formulating and implementing sustainability strategies, setting targets, and enhancing sustainability value in areas such as diversity, waste management, modern slavery, and environmental impacts.
• Manage client relationships and lead engagement/project delivery from planning through to completion.
• Oversee team and project management, including coaching and training team members.
• Write reports, respond promptly to client and team requests, and communicate regularly with partners on deliverable statuses.
• Prepare and participate in client presentations and ESG reporting and assurance proposals.
• Drive business development by identifying leads and opportunities and assisting in their conversion.
• Create thought leadership pieces and manage project finance, including work in progress (WIP), invoicing, and cash collections.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Degree in commerce (accounting/ finance/economics- CA/IA), chemical engineering, social sciences, sciences, geography, geology (or similar)

Desired Qualifications

• Postgraduate qualification relevant to the service area
• Courses or electives that explore technical knowledge and the fundamentals of sustainability, including related reporting frameworks.

Minimum Experience

• 1+ years project management experience Minimum of 6 years work experience, including sustainability reporting and assurance Technical competencies
• Project management expertise with proficiency in MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Strong understanding of ESG and sustainability integration into business operations, along with familiarity with ESG reporting frameworks.
• Experience in conducting ESG assurance engagements, demonstrating attention to detail and accuracy.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with technical knowledge in specific ESG and sustainability areas