Q: What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The primary mission is to design and execute a global ESG roadmap that encompasses decarbonization, climate risk mitigation, and social due diligence. You will act as the company's lead subject matter expert, ensuring all activities align with both internal ambitions and external regulatory pressures. Responsibility extends to overseeing the entire reporting lifecycle, from data collection and internal controls to the publication of annual sustainability reports. You will lead a team of direct reports while coordinating a network of dotted-line sustainability professionals across various business divisions to ensure consistent implementation of ESG goals.

Q: Key learning opportunities for this job

In this role, you will gain deep exposure to complex global supply chain due diligence and the intricacies of carbon accounting within a large-scale manufacturing environment. You will work at the intersection of consumer electronics and automotive technology, providing unique insights into how different sectors approach the green transition. Furthermore, you will have the chance to collaborate closely with Samsung, HARMAN's parent company, offering a rare opportunity to learn how to align ESG strategies across multi-national corporate entities . This includes mastering the nuances of international disclosure laws and emerging frameworks like the CSRD or SEC climate rules.

Q: Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, emphasize your experience in driving cross-functional buy-in . HARMAN is a matrixed organization, so highlighting specific instances where you successfully navigated competing priorities between manufacturing, procurement, and finance to achieve a sustainability goal will be highly persuasive. Additionally, show your familiarity with the Automotive and Consumer Electronics sectors . Tailor your application to demonstrate how you have managed supply chain risks or human rights due diligence in these specific industries, as this technical context is highly valued by the hiring team.

Q: What aspects of the company's sustainability is this role likely to focus on?

The role focuses heavily on environmental decarbonization and the development of robust GHG reduction targets. Given HARMAN's role in the automotive sector, there is a significant emphasis on managing climate-related risks and opportunities within the mobility ecosystem. Social sustainability is equally critical, specifically regarding human rights due diligence in the supply chain. You will likely focus on ensuring that the sourcing of components for electronic products meets rigorous ethical standards and complies with global social disclosure regulations.

Q: What are the main challenges someone in this role might face?

One of the main challenges will be standardizing ESG data quality across a vast, global workforce and diverse product lines. Ensuring data integrity for audit-ready reporting requires immense attention to detail and strong internal controls. Additionally, driving cultural change in a high-performance, engineering-heavy environment can be difficult. You will need to balance the urgency of sustainability targets with the operational realities of global manufacturing and procurement cycles.

Q: How could a typical day look like for someone in this position?

A typical day might begin with a strategic review of decarbonization progress with the manufacturing leads, followed by a meeting with the ESG Committee to discuss upcoming regulatory disclosure requirements. You might spend the afternoon coaching your team or reviewing drafts of the annual sustainability report. Interaction with external strategy consultants and industry organizations like the Responsible Business Alliance (RBA) is also common. Your schedule will likely fluctuate between high-level governance tasks and granular data verification sessions to ensure reporting accuracy.

Q: The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will interact daily with Business Division Sustainability Leads and functional heads in Procurement, Supply Chain, and Manufacturing. Managing these internal relationships is key to ensuring that ESG strategies are actually implemented on the ground. Externally, you will engage with Samsung's ESG team , strategic assessment organizations like CDP and EcoVadis, and various NGOs. You will also represent HARMAN's sustainability interests to customers and in broader industry forums and conferences.

Question 1

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

Accepted Answer

The primary mission is to design and execute a global ESG roadmap that encompasses decarbonization, climate risk mitigation, and social due diligence. You will act as the company's lead subject matter expert, ensuring all activities align with both internal ambitions and external regulatory pressures. Responsibility extends to overseeing the entire reporting lifecycle, from data collection and internal controls to the publication of annual sustainability reports. You will lead a team of direct reports while coordinating a network of dotted-line sustainability professionals across various business divisions to ensure consistent implementation of ESG goals.

Question 2

Key learning opportunities for this job

Accepted Answer

In this role, you will gain deep exposure to complex global supply chain due diligence and the intricacies of carbon accounting within a large-scale manufacturing environment. You will work at the intersection of consumer electronics and automotive technology, providing unique insights into how different sectors approach the green transition. Furthermore, you will have the chance to collaborate closely with Samsung, HARMAN's parent company, offering a rare opportunity to learn how to align ESG strategies across multi-national corporate entities. This includes mastering the nuances of international disclosure laws and emerging frameworks like the CSRD or SEC climate rules.

Question 3

How does the ideal candidate look like (experience, skills)?

Accepted Answer

The ideal candidate brings at least 7 to 10 years of experience within a large, global, and highly matrixed organization. You must demonstrate a proven track record of scaling ESG programs and implementing decarbonization strategies that move the needle on Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions. Beyond technical proficiency in carbon accounting and sustainability frameworks, you need exceptional communication skills. The ability to translate complex sustainability data into actionable business intelligence for the Board and executive leadership is essential for success in this high-visibility position.

Question 4

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

Accepted Answer

To stand out, emphasize your experience in driving cross-functional buy-in. HARMAN is a matrixed organization, so highlighting specific instances where you successfully navigated competing priorities between manufacturing, procurement, and finance to achieve a sustainability goal will be highly persuasive. Additionally, show your familiarity with the Automotive and Consumer Electronics sectors. Tailor your application to demonstrate how you have managed supply chain risks or human rights due diligence in these specific industries, as this technical context is highly valued by the hiring team.

Question 5

What aspects of the company's sustainability is this role likely to focus on?

Accepted Answer

The role focuses heavily on environmental decarbonization and the development of robust GHG reduction targets. Given HARMAN's role in the automotive sector, there is a significant emphasis on managing climate-related risks and opportunities within the mobility ecosystem. Social sustainability is equally critical, specifically regarding human rights due diligence in the supply chain. You will likely focus on ensuring that the sourcing of components for electronic products meets rigorous ethical standards and complies with global social disclosure regulations.

Question 6

What are the main challenges someone in this role might face?

Accepted Answer

One of the main challenges will be standardizing ESG data quality across a vast, global workforce and diverse product lines. Ensuring data integrity for audit-ready reporting requires immense attention to detail and strong internal controls. Additionally, driving cultural change in a high-performance, engineering-heavy environment can be difficult. You will need to balance the urgency of sustainability targets with the operational realities of global manufacturing and procurement cycles.

Question 7

How could a typical day look like for someone in this position?

Accepted Answer

A typical day might begin with a strategic review of decarbonization progress with the manufacturing leads, followed by a meeting with the ESG Committee to discuss upcoming regulatory disclosure requirements. You might spend the afternoon coaching your team or reviewing drafts of the annual sustainability report. Interaction with external strategy consultants and industry organizations like the Responsible Business Alliance (RBA) is also common. Your schedule will likely fluctuate between high-level governance tasks and granular data verification sessions to ensure reporting accuracy.

Question 8

What are the opportunities for professional growth and development in this role?

Accepted Answer

As a Director-level role, there are significant opportunities for executive-level visibility. Success here places you at the forefront of the company’s strategic transformation, potentially leading to even more senior global leadership roles within the HARMAN or Samsung ecosystems. Through HARMAN University and external certifications, you can further refine your leadership and technical expertise. The role’s global scope ensures you build a network that spans continents, positioning you as a top-tier leader in the international ESG landscape.

Question 9

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

Accepted Answer

You will interact daily with Business Division Sustainability Leads and functional heads in Procurement, Supply Chain, and Manufacturing. Managing these internal relationships is key to ensuring that ESG strategies are actually implemented on the ground. Externally, you will engage with Samsung's ESG team, strategic assessment organizations like CDP and EcoVadis, and various NGOs. You will also represent HARMAN's sustainability interests to customers and in broader industry forums and conferences.

Director, Corporate Sustainability & ESG

Job-FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

Key learning opportunities for this job

How does the ideal candidate look like (experience, skills)?

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

What aspects of the company's sustainability is this role likely to focus on?

What are the main challenges someone in this role might face?

How could a typical day look like for someone in this position?

What are the opportunities for professional growth and development in this role?

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

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