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Deputy Manager - Sustainability

Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Ltd. India Added on Jun 30, 2026
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The Deputy Manager for Sustainability will take ownership of the company’s reporting landscape and strategic communication. This includes managing complex disclosures such as BRSR and GRI while building out the internal and external narratives for their flagship sustainability framework. You will act as a central hub, gathering critical data from across various business units to ensure transparency and compliance.

This role is vital for maintaining the credibility of India’s largest fashion conglomerate as it navigates the transition to a circular economy. By bridging the gap between raw environmental data and compelling storytelling, you will directly influence how investors, regulators, and millions of consumers perceive the brand’s commitment to the ReEarth vision. It is about turning compliance into a competitive advantage in the high-stakes retail sector.

This suits someone who possesses a sharp analytical mind for ESG frameworks alongside a creative flair for corporate communications. You should have at least five years of experience and thrive in a fast-paced, multi-brand environment.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The core of this role involves leading the preparation and delivery of crucial sustainability disclosures, specifically the Annual Sustainability Report and the Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report (BRSR). You will ensure that all data reflects international standards like GRI and CDP, providing a transparent view of the company's environmental and social impact. Beyond technical reporting, you will manage sustainability program execution by tracking progress against strategic goals and recommending course corrections. You will also be responsible for benchmarking the organization against global indices like the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) to identify performance gaps and drive continuous improvement across the retail portfolio.

Key learning opportunities for this job

Candidates will gain deep expertise in integrated reporting and the complexities of managing ESG data across a diverse portfolio that includes luxury retail, value fashion, and manufacturing. This offers a rare view into the full lifecycle of apparel products and the systemic challenges of decarbonizing a massive supply chain. Additionally, there are significant opportunities to master stakeholder engagement in a high-growth market. You will learn how to align corporate strategy with emerging global benchmarks, providing a masterclass in how a market leader adapts its operational DNA to meet evolving international sustainability expectations.

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

The ideal candidate brings a minimum of five years of dedicated experience in ESG reporting or corporate responsibility. They must demonstrate a high level of comfort with technical frameworks such as GRI and CDP, as well as the ability to translate complex data into clear, persuasive narratives for different audiences. Strong analytical skills are essential for the benchmarking components of the role, but excellent storytelling and writing abilities are equally prized. Given the scale of ABFRL, the candidate should be a collaborative professional capable of influencing cross-functional teams without direct authority to ensure data accuracy and program buy-in.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

Focus your application on your ability to handle large-scale data management combined with communication impact. Provide specific examples where your reporting directly led to an improved ranking in a sustainability index or where a campaign you led significantly increased internal employee engagement with ESG goals. To stand out, demonstrate a clear understanding of the ReEarth framework and the specific challenges of the Indian retail landscape. Tailor your cover letter to show how your technical reporting skills can be leveraged as a strategic tool to drive brand value, rather than just treating it as a compliance exercise.

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

The role is heavily weighted toward transparency and accountability. You will likely focus on the 'G' (Governance) and 'E' (Environmental) pillars of ESG, specifically regarding supply chain traceability, resource efficiency, and carbon disclosure. This is channeled through the company's ReEarth initiative, which centralizes their green ambitions. Social impact is also a key component, as the reporting must capture the company's contributions to community development and ethical labor practices across its manufacturing and retail sites. You will use storytelling platforms to highlight these social successes to both internal staff and the external investor community.

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

One of the primary challenges will be the coordination of data collection across a massive organization with diverse brands and thousands of retail outlets. Ensuring the quality and consistency of sustainability metrics from so many sources requires significant persistence and meticulous attention to detail. Furthermore, balancing the rigid requirements of regulatory reporting with the need for creative, engaging communication can be difficult. You may face pressure to meet strict disclosure deadlines while simultaneously trying to benchmark against shifting global standards like the DJSI, which are constantly raising the bar for corporate performance.

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

A typical day might begin with a cross-functional meeting to validate energy or waste data for a quarterly update. You might then shift to a creative session, drafting a newsletter or LinkedIn post that highlights a recent milestone in the company's circularity journey, ensuring the tone aligns with the corporate brand. In the afternoon, you could spend time on strategic benchmarking, analyzing competitor reports to identify where the company can improve its ESG score. The day often concludes with stakeholder management duties, such as preparing insights for a sustainability committee review or coordinating with external auditors regarding transparency verification.

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

Within a conglomerate the size of Aditya Birla Group, the paths for development are expansive. Success in this role could lead to Specialized Strategy Manager positions or a transition into leadership roles focused on specific ESG pillars like Circularity or Climate Risk. As the company continues to integrate further digital-first fashion brands, there is also the opportunity to help build ESG infrastructure from the ground up for new ventures. This role places you at the heart of the company’s strategic narrative, providing high visibility that is essential for career progression into senior sustainability leadership.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will regularly interact with internal business unit heads and cross-functional teams who provide the data and ground-level insights needed for reporting. Collaboration with the Corporate Communications team is also vital to ensure that sustainability messaging is consistent with the broader brand identity. Externally, you will be the primary point of contact for auditors, ESG rating agencies, and industry peers. Interaction with these groups ensures the company remains compliant and competitive. You will also support senior leadership and sustainability committees by providing the essential data they need to make high-level strategic decisions.

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