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Senior Expert Sustainability

United Bulgarian Bank • Bulgaria • Added on Aug 11, 2026
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This senior-level position oversees the integration of environmental and social governance standards across one of Bulgaria’s largest banking groups. You will take ownership of the local sustainability strategy, ensuring that lending and insurance portfolios align with modern climate-risk frameworks while managing the complex data collection required for high-stakes corporate reporting. Your work effectively bridges the gap between high-level group strategy and local operational implementation.

Working within the KBC Group framework means your influence extends beyond internal policy to the real-world decarbonization of the Bulgarian economy. By steering sustainable finance products and refining ESG taxonomy analysis, you play a pivotal role in directing capital toward green initiatives and helping local businesses navigate the transition to a low-carbon future. This is a chance to define the ethical banking landscape in a developing market.

This suits someone who possesses a strong technical grasp of CSRD and ESG regulations and enjoys the challenge of translating complex regulatory requirements into actionable business opportunities within a fast-paced financial environment.

Job-FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

As a Senior Expert, your primary mission is to steer the sustainability agenda for United Bulgarian Bank and its affiliated KBC entities in Bulgaria. You will be responsible for the end-to-end management of ESG data, from collection to the production of high-quality reports that comply with international standards. This involves translating complex environmental metrics into meaningful insights for the board and external auditors. Beyond reporting, you will act as a strategic advisor for the development of sustainable financial products. This includes evaluating the environmental risks of lending portfolios and ensuring that new insurance or investment services meet green taxonomy criteria. You are also tasked with fostering a culture of sustainability through internal communication and external stakeholder engagement.

Key learning opportunities for this job

Joining a subsidiary of the Belgian KBC Group offers unparalleled exposure to Western European ESG benchmarks and advanced sustainable finance methodologies. You will likely gain deep expertise in the EU Taxonomy and the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), which are currently reshaping the European financial sector. Furthermore, the role provides a unique vantage point to understand the intersection of risk management and climate science. You will learn how to quantify transition risks in diverse sectors ranging from heavy industry to agriculture, while potentially participating in group-wide knowledge-sharing sessions with sustainability experts from across the KBC network.

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

The ideal candidate brings a blend of academic rigor and practical experience, likely holding a degree in Economics, Ecology, or Engineering. You should have a proven track record in sustainability reporting and a granular understanding of double materiality and ESG taxonomy. This role requires someone who is comfortable with both the technical 'data-crunching' aspects of reporting and the high-level strategic thinking needed for product development. Soft skills are equally vital; fluency in English is mandatory, alongside the ability to influence cross-functional teams. You must be someone who can explain the value of ESG to traditional banking colleagues, making you a persuasive advocate for sustainable change within the organization.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, your application should demonstrate a specific understanding of how ESG impacts the banking sector specifically. Mentioning your familiarity with the Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB) or the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) could be a significant advantage. Highlight any previous experience where you successfully managed large-scale data projects or navigated new regulatory landscapes. In your interview, show that you have researched KBC Group's sustainability pillars and can articulate how you would adapt those global goals to the specific economic context of the Bulgarian market.

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

The role is heavily focused on the environmental and governance pillars of ESG. A major priority will be the implementation of the EU Taxonomy, ensuring that the bank’s capital is supporting activities that are officially classified as 'green.' This involves rigorous scrutiny of the lending portfolio and helping clients improve their own ESG performance. Additionally, there is a strong focus on transparency and compliance. As the regulatory environment becomes stricter, this role ensures the bank avoids greenwashing and remains a leader in corporate governance by accurately reporting its carbon footprint and social impact initiatives.

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

One of the most significant challenges will be the consolidation of fragmented data across various group entities like DZI and UBB Interlease. Gathering consistent, high-quality ESG information from different business units with varying levels of sustainability maturity requires persistence and strong organizational systems. Another challenge lies in the rapidly evolving regulatory landscape. Staying ahead of new EU directives while ensuring current operations remain compliant can be a balancing act. You may also face some resistance to change when introducing new ESG criteria into traditional lending processes, requiring diplomacy and strong commercial arguments.

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

A typical day might begin with a review of ESG data sets for an upcoming CSRD report, followed by a meeting with the risk department to discuss climate-related financial disclosures. You might spend your afternoon collaborating with the marketing team on a new communication campaign for a green loan product or a sustainable investment fund. You could also find yourself in consultation with corporate clients or industry organizations to discuss strategic partnerships. The day usually ends with monitoring updates from the European Banking Authority or internal KBC Group bulletins to ensure local operations are aligned with the latest international standards.

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

Given KBC's international presence, this role offers a pathway to group-level sustainability leadership. Success in the Bulgarian market could lead to lateral moves within other European branches or a move toward a more specialized role in ESG risk modeling or sustainable product innovation. As the sustainability department grows in response to regulation, there may also be opportunities to manage a larger team or lead high-visibility projects that report directly to the Executive Committee. This position is a significant career accelerator for anyone looking to be at the forefront of the green transition in finance.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will interact daily with department heads across the KBC Group, particularly in Risk, Compliance, and Product Development. These relationships are crucial for integrating sustainability into the core business functions rather than keeping it as a standalone reporting task. Externally, your stakeholders include regulatory bodies, industry associations, and strategic partners. You may also engage with corporate clients to support them in their ESG disclosure journeys. Maintaining a strong rapport with these diverse groups ensures that the bank's sustainability strategy is both credible and commercially viable.

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