Director - ESG Risk & Research - Investment Bank

Diversity Hiring

ESG risk assessment-MUST HAVE

Looking only from Investment Banks

Equity research understanding

NO CSR

- The Head of ESG Shared Services will lead the ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) Shared Service This role is critical to driving ESG risk assessment on behalf of the Business Line PCRU/Front office teams. The incumbent will also be responsible to develop and expand the ESG service offering to meet the evolving needs on ESG from regulations and from business needs perspective.

- He/She/They will work in collaboration with the Group Sustainability team and partner with the business lines to develop sustainable offerings for the bank's commitments on ESG. The Head of the Shared service will build and grow the shared services team from the GSCs and will need to work in conjunction with business and IT teams to enhance ESG capabilities, reporting, and operational efficiency.

- The role requires a deep understanding of ESG trends, industry practices, and regulatory frameworks to position the bank as a leader in sustainable finance.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Leadership & Strategy:

- Develop and execute the strategic vision for the ESG shared services, aligning with the bank's broader sustainability goals and risk management frameworks.

- Lead a team of high skilled ESG research analysts to perform client risk assessments related to ESG factors.

- Build and develop strong working relationships with front-office teams to collaboratively identify ESG risks and propose mitigation strategies.

- Influence and collaborate with business lines across the bank to expand ESG services and drive adoption of sustainable finance principles.

- Act as a subject matter expert in ESG, providing strategic direction on ESG risks and opportunities to senior stakeholders.

2. ESG Risk Assessment & Analysis:

- Collaborate with Group Sustainability team, Risk, Compliance and ESG Group programs to development of robust process frameworks for ESG risk analysis, ensuring that assessments are integrated into the bank's risk management and client assessment methodologies.

- Ensure the team delivers timely, accurate, and insightful reports on ESG risks for clients and internal stakeholders.

- Stay abreast of global ESG trends, regulations, and industry standards to ensure the bank's ESG assessments remain cutting-edge.

3. Business Development & Expansion:

- Drive business development initiatives to grow ESG shared services across various business lines, such as lending, investment banking, and asset management.

- Work closely with client-facing teams to promote ESG services, identifying new opportunities for ESG advisory and risk mitigation offerings.

- Expand the ESG service catalogue by identifying and implementing new areas of expertise (e.g., climate risk, social responsibility, governance frameworks) to meet the evolving needs of the bank and its clients.

4. Delivery Excellence:

- Ensure the shared services function is efficient, cost-effective, and delivers high-quality results.

- Develop and implement key performance metrics to monitor team performance and improve operational workflows.

- Continuously improve the shared service model to scale the ESG function across different regions and business units.

- Enable Technology and Systems for seamless delivery of the ESG Services:

- Oversee the implementation and management of technology solutions that support the shared service.

- Ensure that systems and processes are integrated effectively to enhance service delivery.

- Stay abreast of technological advancements and recommend upgrades as needed.

5. Stakeholder Engagement & Influence:

- Act as the primary ESG champion within the organization, influencing senior leadership and front-office teams to prioritize and integrate ESG risk management into business strategies.

- Represent the bank in industry forums, regulatory discussions, and client meetings related to ESG, positioning the bank as a leader in sustainable finance.

- Collaborate with external partners, including rating agencies, regulatory bodies, and industry groups, to stay aligned with best practices.

Profile:

Key Qualifications:

Education: Advanced degree in Management, Finance, Economics, Environmental Science, Sustainability, or a related field.

Experience:

- 10+ years of experience in ESG, risk management, or sustainability in the financial services industry.

- Proven track record of building and leading high-performing teams within a shared services environment.

- Strong experience in client-facing roles, ideally within risk management or sustainability advisory functions.

Skills:

- Deep expertise in ESG risk analysis, including knowledge of global ESG frameworks (e.g., TCFD, SASB, GRI).

- Proven experience in ESG management, sustainability, or a related field.

- Strong knowledge of ESG regulations, standards, and best practices.

- Strong business development skills, with the ability to grow service offerings and influence key stakeholders.

- Deep understanding of ESG data needs within the bank and across industry and ability to connect the need to sources of information in alignment to regulations

- Excellent communication and leadership skills, with the ability to drive ESG initiatives across diverse business lines.

- Demonstrated ability to lead and manage qualified, cross-functional teams.

- Excellent communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills.

Key Competencies:

- Strategic thinker with a strong understanding of the intersection between ESG risks and business opportunities.

- Analytical mindset with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage complex projects across multiple teams.

- Ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments and drive collaboration and alignment across global teams.

- Strong leader with the ability to inspire and create high performing teams

- Financial acumen and the ability to integrate ESG factors into broader business and financial strategies.

- A passion for sustainability and a commitment to driving meaningful change within the organization and the industry.

This role offers an exciting opportunity to shape the future of sustainable finance . The Head of ESG Shared Services will play a critical role in advancing the bank's ESG capabilities and contributing to its long-term success in a rapidly evolving market.