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Corporate Sustainability Manager – Climate Strategy & ESG Reporting

Simon-Kucher Germany Added on Jul 9, 2026
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As a Corporate Sustainability Manager at Simon-Kucher, you will lead the technical expansion of the firm’s global ESG function. Your primary focus is navigating the complex transition from voluntary to mandatory reporting, specifically by owning the global carbon accounting process and aligning climate targets with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). You will take charge of the data infrastructure that supports large-scale global reporting and high-stakes rating submissions.

This role is critical because Simon-Kucher is at a pivotal moment of scaling its own internal sustainability performance to match its reputation as a global growth leader. By implementing the CSRD and EU Taxonomy frameworks, you ensure the consultancy remains transparent and accountable as it targets ambitious decarbonization. This is an opportunity to build a best-in-class ESG foundation for a firm with a massive global footprint.

This suits someone who possesses at least five years of deep technical experience in GHG Protocol accounting and is energized by turning complex datasets into strategic climate roadmaps within a high-performance consulting culture.

Preguntas frecuentes

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The primary mission involves establishing a robust global carbon accounting framework in accordance with the GHG Protocol. You will be responsible for the end-to-end management of the carbon footprint, ensuring that data collection and analysis are precise enough to support Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) commitments. Beyond carbon, you will lead the implementation of regulatory reporting requirements such as CSRD and the EU Taxonomy. This includes drafting the necessary documentation and coordinating annual submissions for major ESG ratings like EcoVadis and CDP, which are increasingly important for client-side procurement and firm reputation. You will also serve as a strategic bridge between data and leadership. This means transforming technical ESG performance metrics into executive-ready presentations that help the global leadership team make informed decisions about the company's long-term sustainability strategy.

Key learning opportunities for this job

In this role, you will gain hands-on experience in the full lifecycle of CSRD implementation within a complex, international service firm. Moving beyond theoretical knowledge to practical application in a multi-jurisdictional environment is a significant professional asset in the current regulatory climate. You will also deepen your expertise in climate target setting. Working directly with SBTi methodologies and aligning them with corporate growth strategies provides a high-level view of how sustainability and financial objectives intersect in the professional services sector. Furthermore, the exposure to diverse ESG rating methodologies like CDP and EcoVadis will sharpen your ability to manage corporate reputation via data transparency. You will likely receive mentorship and training through the firm’s internal programs, tailored to consultants and high-level managers.

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

The ideal candidate brings a minimum of five years of professional experience specifically within ESG or sustainability management, preferably having spent time in an international corporate setting or a specialized sustainability consultancy. Technical proficiency is non-negotiable, particularly a mastery of the GHG Protocol and experience with SBTi frameworks. You should be highly analytical and comfortable navigating dense spreadsheets and complex datasets to extract meaningful trends and reporting figures. Soft skills are equally important; you must be a persuasive communicator in both German and English. The role requires the ability to distill technical regulatory requirements into clear actionable insights for non-expert stakeholders and executives.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out at Simon-Kucher, your application should demonstrate a strong data-driven mindset. Highlighting specific instances where you have managed complex reporting cycles or successfully led a company through a rating process like EcoVadis or CDP will be very beneficial. Tailor your cover letter to show that you understand the unique challenges of a consultancy. Unlike manufacturing, a consultancy’s impact is heavily weighted toward Scope 3 emissions and human capital, so showing an understanding of these specific levers will demonstrate your business acumen. Prepare to discuss your familiarity with the Science Based Targets initiative in detail. Research Simon-Kucher’s existing public ESG commitments to show that you have already analyzed their current standing and have ideas on how to optimize their data management systems.

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

The role primarily focuses on the environmental and governance pillars of ESG. A massive portion of your work will revolve around climate strategy, specifically measuring and reducing the carbon footprint of a global office network and professional travels. On the governance side, you will focus on regulatory compliance and transparency. This entails creating the infrastructure for ESRS-compliant reporting, ensuring that the firm meets all legal requirements of the EU Taxonomy and the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive. There is also a significant focus on external performance benchmarking. By managing global ratings, you ensure that the firm’s internal sustainability efforts are accurately reflected to external stakeholders, including clients who prioritize ESG in their own supply chains.

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

One of the chief challenges will be global data orchestration. Gathering consistent, high-quality ESG data from over 30 countries with varying local standards requires meticulous organization and persistence in stakeholder follow-ups. You may also face the challenge of balancing regulatory rigor with agility. As a fast-moving consultancy, Simon-Kucher expects efficient processes, so you must find ways to integrate complex compliance requirements without creating excessive administrative friction for the wider team. Finally, change management at the leadership level can be a hurdle. You will need to build strong business cases for sustainability investments by linking them to the firm’s broader commercial growth and reputation goals.

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

A typical day might begin with a data review session, checking the latest carbon accounting inputs from international offices or troubleshooting discrepancies in energy consumption reports. Mid-day, you might participate in a strategic alignment meeting with the global leadership team to present progress on SBTi targets or to discuss the implications of new ESRS disclosure requirements on the firm’s annual reporting cycle. In the afternoon, your focus might shift to stakeholder coordination, such as working with the communications team on an internal ESG update or liaising with external auditors to prepare for the verification of the carbon footprint data.

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

As a member of a globally expanding ESG department, there is significant room to shape your own career path. You could eventually move into a more senior leadership role, such as Head of Sustainability or a global ESG Director position as the department scales. You will have high visibility within the organization, providing regular exposure to top leadership. This visibility can lead to opportunities to spearhead new global initiatives or to participate in cross-functional projects that influence the firm’s overall commercial strategy. Additionally, the skills acquired in high-level ESG compliance are currently in extremely high demand, making this role an excellent platform for long-term career advancement in the corporate sustainability field.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

Your most frequent interactions will be with the Global ESG Team and the senior leadership team, to whom you provide strategic guidance and performance reporting. You will also collaborate closely with departmental heads in areas like HR, Facilities, and Finance to collect the data necessary for the carbon footprint and social disclosures required by the CSRD. Externally, you will be the primary point of contact for ESG rating agencies (e.g., CDP, EcoVadis) and external auditors who verify the firm’s non-financial statements, ensuring that all external representations of the firm’s sustainability performance are accurate.

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