B

Sustainability Strategy & Policy VP

Barclays United Kingdom Added on Jun 8, 2026
Candidati a questo ruolo →

As the Sustainability Strategy and Policy VP, you will take ownership of identifying and researching emerging sustainability themes to shape the bank’s long-term position. This involves developing robust policy proposals and ensuring that strategic ambitions are translated into actionable frameworks across the organization. You will work at the intersection of trend analysis and internal advocacy, ensuring that new environmental and social developments are integrated into the core business planning.

This role is critical because it bridges the gap between high-level sustainability ambition and formal risk management protocols. In a global financial institution like Barclays, your work directly influences how capital is steered and how the bank responds to pressing issues like biodiversity loss and social equity. You are the architect of the policies that define the bank’s ethical and environmental boundaries in a rapidly shifting regulatory landscape.

This suits someone who possesses deep expertise in the triple bottom line of climate, nature, and human rights, and who thrives when translating complex global trends into executive-level strategy. You should be highly comfortable engaging with senior leadership and navigating the rigorous governance of the banking sector.

FAQ del ruolo

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The Vice President will be responsible for the end-to-end development of sustainability-related policies and strategic frameworks. This includes identifying emerging trends in ESG and determining how the bank should position itself in response. A key part of the role is ensuring that these strategies are not developed in isolation but are deeply integrated with the Environmental and Social Risk Management (ESRM) teams. You will also lead the preparation of high-level briefing materials for senior governance forums, including the Board and Executive Committee. Your goal is to provide the executive team with the analytical data and synthesized conclusions needed to make informed decisions regarding the bank’s sustainability trajectory and its commitments to international standards.

Key learning opportunities for this job

This role offers an unparalleled opportunity to understand the inner workings of a global financial institution from a strategic sustainability perspective. You will gain exposure to how large-scale banking products across corporate and investment banking are pivoting toward sustainable finance and how risk appetite is defined at a group level. Candidates will likely enhance their expertise in regulatory compliance and international ESG standards, learning how to navigate the complex intersection of finance, government policy, and NGO expectations. Exposure to high-level board governance will also sharpen executive communication and strategic negotiation skills in a high-stakes environment.

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

The ideal candidate brings a multifaceted background in sustainability, specifically covering climate change, nature, and human rights. You should have a proven track record of synthesizing complex social and environmental data into clear, actionable recommendations for senior leadership. Strong technical knowledge of current environmental regulations and industry best practices is essential. Beyond technical expertise, the role requires someone with exceptional stakeholder management skills. You must be comfortable working within a high-pressure, fast-paced environment where you need to negotiate between different departmental interests, from risk and controls to business development and external advocacy groups.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, demonstrate your ability to bridge the gap between sustainability theory and financial reality. Highlight specific instances where you have influenced policy or strategy in a regulated environment. Show that you understand the specific nuances of a bank’s ESRM framework. Tailoring your application to show an understanding of Barclays’ current sustainability commitments and industry standing will be highly beneficial. Emphasize your experience with senior management engagement, as the ability to produce 'Board-ready' materials is a central requirement for this Vice President level position.

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

The role focuses heavily on policy development and risk alignment. Rather than reporting on past performance, you will likely be looking ahead at emerging topics such as nature-based solutions, social impact frameworks, and evolving climate disclosure requirements to ensure the bank stays ahead of the curve. You will also spend significant time on stakeholder engagement, acting as a liaison between external groups like NGOs or government bodies and internal teams. This ensures that the bank's strategy is informed by external pressures and best practices, specifically regarding how capital flows affect global environmental and social outcomes.

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

One of the primary challenges will be balancing strategic ambition with risk appetite. In a large bank, sustainability goals must often be reconciled with rigorous internal controls and commercial objectives, which can lead to complex internal negotiations. Additionally, the rapidly changing regulatory landscape presents a challenge in maintaining up-to-date policies. You will need to stay agile, quickly interpreting new international standards and translating them into the bank's specific operational context without disrupting existing business workflows.

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

A typical day might involve a mix of deep research into emerging sustainability regulations followed by collaborative meetings with the ESRM team to discuss risk alignment. You could spend the afternoon drafting a briefing paper for an upcoming Board meeting or a senior executive forum. There is also a strong element of external-facing activity; you might participate in a working group with industry peers or respond to inquiries from NGOs regarding the bank's social or environmental policies. Your day is characterized by high-level communication and the constant synthesis of information into strategic advice.

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

As a Vice President within the Sustainability Strategy & Policy team, there are significant paths toward senior strategic leadership or specialized roles within ESG Risk or Sustainable Finance. The 18-month duration of this contract allows for deep immersion into the bank's most critical transition projects. Successfully managing group-level projects and influencing Board-level decision-making provides high visibility. This experience is highly transferable to roles such as Head of ESG, Sustainability Director, or specialized strategy positions within the broader financial services sector.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will interact extensively with the Co-Heads of Sustainability Strategy & Policy and members of the ESRM team. A significant portion of your influence will be directed toward senior leadership, including members of the Executive Committee and the Board. Externally, your stakeholders include NGOs, government representatives, and clients. Your role is to understand their concerns and ensure that the bank's policies accurately reflect both external expectations and internal risk limits, maintaining a trust-based relationship with the wider sustainability community.

Newsletter CSR Jobs

Non perderti la prossima opportunità

Ricevi una selezione di nuove opportunità in CSR, ESG e sostenibilità nella tua casella e-mail. Niente rumore quotidiano, solo offerte utili.

Iscrizione gratuita. Puoi annullarla in qualsiasi momento.