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Manager – Corporate Sustainability, Climate Data and Controls Management

American Express • United States • Added on Jul 8, 2026
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This role centers on owning the integrity of climate data across a global financial services giant. You will lead the development and management of the greenhouse gas inventory, ensuring that every data point is audit-ready and compliant with evolving international standards. Beyond pure accounting, you will bridge the gap between technical carbon data and executive decision-making.

At a firm like American Express, the shift toward net-zero requires immense coordination across thousands of business units. By professionalizing the climate data controls, you provide the analytical bedrock for the firm’s entire environmental strategy. This role ensures that decarbonization claims are backed by rigorous science and verifiable systems, directly influencing the company’s ability to meet its global commitments.

This suits someone who possesses a meticulous eye for detail and a passion for data systems like Watershed or Workiva. You should enjoy building robust governance frameworks in a high-stakes, regulated corporate environment.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The primary focus of this role is the end-to-end management of the greenhouse gas inventory. You will be responsible for defining the methodology, ensuring data quality, and maintaining the controls that allow the company to undergo external assurance with confidence. In addition to technical accounting, you will serve as an enterprise subject matter expert on climate reporting frameworks. This involves translating complex regulatory requirements into actionable business insights and managing the implementation of digital reporting tools like Watershed to streamline carbon data collection across global operations.

Key learning opportunities for this job

You will gain deep expertise in next-generation carbon accounting platforms and the use of AI for sustainability reporting automation. The role offers a front-row seat to how a global financial leader prepares for major regulatory shifts like CSRD and TCFD-aligned disclosures. Furthermore, you will refine your skills in internal audit and assurance readiness, learning how to build a governance framework that stands up to the scrutiny of third-party verifiers. This is an excellent opportunity to master the intersection of finance, data science, and environmental strategy.

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

The ideal candidate brings at least five years of experience in corporate sustainability, with a specific focus on carbon accounting and GHG Protocol. You should have a strong background in managing complex datasets and a familiar comfort level with sustainability frameworks such as CDP and SBTi. Strong communicative abilities are essential, as you will need to explain technical climate metrics to non-expert business partners. A Bachelor’s degree and a methodical approach to project management are required, while experience in the financial services sector or with ESG software is a significant advantage.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, demonstrate your familiarity with data control environments. American Express is a highly regulated financial institution; showing that you understand the rigors of 'audit-ready' data will be more impressive than general sustainability knowledge. Tailor your application to highlight specific experience with GHG inventory governance. If you have led an assurance process or implemented a carbon accounting system, use these examples to prove you can navigate the technical and organizational hurdles of enterprise-level reporting.

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

The role is primarily focused on Climate Operations and the measurement of the company's carbon footprint. This includes Scope 1, 2, and crucial Scope 3 emissions factors relevant to global financial operations. You will also play a key role in the company's Net-Zero strategy by providing the high-quality data necessary to track progress against science-based targets. This focus ensures that the company's environmental claims are credible and grounded in transparent, reproducible data.

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

One of the chief challenges will be stakeholder coordination across a massive, decentralized global organization. Gathering accurate data from various business units often requires persistence and the ability to influence others without direct authority. You may also face the difficulty of evolving regulatory landscapes. Keeping the company's reporting infrastructure flexible enough to adapt to changing SEC, CSRD, or California climate laws while maintaining a stable historical baseline requires sophisticated version control and methodology management.

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

A typical day involves a mix of data governance meetings and hands-on system management. You might start by reviewing GHG data inputs in Watershed, followed by a meeting with the IT team to discuss automating a new data feed from facilities management. Afternoons might be spent advising a specific business unit on their specific emission factors or preparing for an upcoming external assurance audit. The role requires balancing granular data review with high-level coordination alongside the Director of Corporate Sustainability.

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

Within a global strategic function like Corporate Affairs and Communications, there are significant paths for upward mobility into leadership. Excelling in this role positions you as a critical asset for future Director-level positions in ESG strategy or Sustainability Finance. As climate reporting becomes increasingly integrated into financial filings, your expertise will be highly transferable within the firm’s Risk or Finance departments. High visibility across diverse business units also creates opportunities for lateral moves into strategic operational roles.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will report to the Director of Corporate Sustainability and frequently collaborate with a dedicated sustainability analyst. Externally, you will be the primary point of contact for third-party auditors and consultants during the assurance process. Internally, your network will be broad, including colleagues in Public Affairs, Finance, Legal, and Risk Management. You will interact with these teams to ensure that climate data is accurately reflected in both voluntary sustainability reports and mandatory financial disclosures.

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