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Chief Sustainability Officer

Amalgamated Bank • United States • Added on Jul 28, 2026
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As the Chief Sustainability Officer, you will serve as the primary architect and public face of the bank’s mission-aligned strategy. You will oversee the integration of environmental and social governance into every facet of the business, from credit risk evaluation to public advocacy. Your work involves leading executive-level discourse, ensuring the rigor of climate disclosures, and strengthening the institution’s position as a premier values-based financial partner.

Amalgamated Bank has built its century-long legacy on being a financial engine for social change. In this role, you carry that torch by ensuring the bank does not just avoid harm, but actively fuels the transition to a sustainable economy. You will bridge the gap between rigorous financial performance and moral advocacy, proving that ethical banking is both viable and necessary in today’s volatile regulatory and environmental landscape.

This suits someone who is a seasoned strategic leader with deep financial services fluency and the gravitas to influence both the boardroom and the national media stage.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The Chief Sustainability Officer is tasked with steering the bank’s overarching ESG strategy while ensuring it remains competitive and compliant. You will lead the development of corporate social responsibility initiatives that align with regulatory expectations and the bank’s historic brand positioning. This involves high-level strategic planning and the execution of high-quality, transparent sustainability reporting for investors and regulators. Beyond internal strategy, you will own the bank's advocacy agenda, representing the institution in industry forums and legislative discussions. You are responsible for ensuring that the bank’s values are reflected in its credit processes and transaction-related decision-making, effectively moving sustainability from a marketing concept to a core operational business function.

Key learning opportunities for this job

In this role, you will gain unparalleled exposure to the intersection of impact finance and public policy. You will be at the forefront of evolving ESG regulations, providing a masterclass in how a regulated financial institution navigates mandatory climate disclosures and carbon accounting. This position offers the chance to deepen your expertise in sustainable credit analysis and sector-specific environmental risk assessment. Additionally, you will refine your executive leadership skills by working directly with the CEO and Board of Directors. The exposure to diverse stakeholders—from grassroots advocacy groups to global institutional investors—will broaden your perspective on how capital can be deployed to solve systemic social and environmental challenges.

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

The bank seeks an externally credible leader with at least five years of strategic experience in ESG or sustainability, ideally within a regulated financial services environment. You should possess a thorough understanding of modern disclosure frameworks and the ability to translate complex environmental data into actionable business insights. Superior public speaking and communication skills are essential for this high-visibility role. An ideal candidate combines technical rigor with strategic problem-solving. You must be comfortable influencing the credit risk process and possess the organizational agility to manage multiple high-stakes priorities. A track record of successful stakeholder engagement and a deep personal alignment with socially responsible business practices are non-negotiable for this executive position.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, demonstrate your ability to balance advocacy with financial acumen. Use your application to highlight specific instances where your sustainability leadership led to measurable business growth or successfully mitigated a complex ESG risk. Show that you understand the unique positioning of Amalgamated Bank as a 'union-owned' and 'socially responsible' entity compared to mainstream commercial banks. Tailor your narrative to emphasize your governance experience. Since this role involves significant interaction with the Board and external regulators, providing evidence of your ability to navigate high-pressure oversight environments will be highly effective. Mention your familiarity with specific bank-centric sustainability tools and your vision for the future of values-based banking.

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

The role focuses heavily on sustainable lending and investment, ensuring that the bank’s capital is directed toward businesses and projects that generate positive social and environmental impact. You will likely spend significant time on decarbonization strategies, specifically focusing on the bank's financed emissions and its commitment to a net-zero future. Another core focus is social equity and advocacy. Given the bank's history, you will champion issues like labor rights, climate justice, and economic equality. This involves not only managing the bank's own footprint but also using its platform to push for systemic industry changes through public-facing thought leadership and policy engagement.

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

One of the primary challenges will be navigating the evolving regulatory landscape for ESG disclosures in the United States. Ensuring data accuracy and audit-readiness across the portfolio requires intense cross-functional coordination. You may also face the challenge of maintaining the bank’s distinct mission-driven identity as it scales and faces competition from larger banks adopting 'green' marketing. Furthermore, you will need to manage stakeholder expectations from a diverse group, including climate activists, labor unions, and financial regulators. Balancing radical transparency with the cautious nature of the banking industry requires exceptional judgment and the ability to communicate trade-offs effectively to the Board and executive leadership.

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

A typical day might begin with a strategy briefing for the CEO or preparing materials for an upcoming Board meeting. You may then pivot to a meeting with the credit and risk teams to provide an ESG lens on a significant new client opportunity or transaction. Midday might be spent on a media interview or a panel discussion at an industry conference to reinforce the bank’s thought leadership. In the afternoon, you might oversee a deep dive into sustainability data governance, reviewing the systems used to track ESG metrics for yearly reports. Your day would likely conclude with stakeholder outreach, perhaps meeting with an environmental advocacy group or an institutional investor to discuss the bank’s latest sustainability commitments and progress.

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

As a C-suite level position, this role offers the highest level of professional visibility within the sustainable finance sector. You will be positioned as a national leader in your field, which can lead to influential board seats and high-level advisory roles in both the public and private sectors. The role is a platform for defining the 'future of banking' on a global stage. Developmentally, you will be at the cutting edge of green fintech and ESG reporting technology. As you lead the bank's expansion, you will have the opportunity to build and mentor a specialized team, further cementing your legacy as a leader who scaled a mission-driven institution while maintaining its core ethical integrity.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will interact daily with the Executive Leadership Team and the Board of Directors, providing them with strategic guidance on ESG risks and opportunities. Internally, your closest collaborators will be in the Credit, Risk, and Business Development departments, where you will integrate sustainability into core banking activities. External stakeholders are equally critical. You will engage with institutional investors and regulators who monitor the bank's ESG performance. Additionally, you will be a main point of contact for environmental sector clients, labor unions, and advocacy partners, ensuring the bank remains deeply rooted in the communities and causes it was founded to serve.

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