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Sustainability & Strategy

Apleona Group • Germany • Added on Jul 8, 2026
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Working closely with the Group CEO and Head of Sustainability, you will drive the integration of ESG into the company’s core business strategy. This role involves steering CSRD-compliant reporting, conducting materiality analyses, and designing actionable decarbonization pathways across a vast international portfolio. You will essentially act as the bridge between high-level investor expectations and the operational reality of facility management.

At a market leader like Apleona, this role is critical because facility services are at the heart of the real estate sector’s energy transition. By influencing how thousands of buildings are managed and upgraded, you directly impact carbon reduction targets for major industrial and financial clients. This is a rare opportunity to move beyond reporting into strategic value creation within a private equity-backed environment.

This suits someone who possesses a sharp analytical mind, likely from a strategy or ESG consultancy background, and thrives in high-visibility roles. You should be comfortable navigating complex regulatory frameworks while maintaining a focus on pragmatic, commercial outcomes.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The primary mission is to evolve the Group's sustainability strategy with a heavy focus on decarbonization and CSRD compliance. You will be responsible for the entire ESG reporting cycle, which includes conducting double materiality analyses, coordinating data collection across business units, and ensuring all disclosures meet ESRS standards for external audits. Beyond technical reporting, you will develop strategic decision templates for the board and investors. This involves translating complex regulatory requirements like the EU Taxonomy and CSDDD into operational roadmaps that enhance the company's competitive standing in the facility management market.

Key learning opportunities for this job

Candidates will gain deep expertise in investor-driven ESG management, particularly within a private equity context under Bain Capital. This offers unique exposure to how sustainability performance is linked to enterprise value and financial exit readiness. Furthermore, the role provides a masterclass in regulatory implementation. You will move from theoretical knowledge of the CSRD and GHG Protocol to practical, large-scale application across thirty countries, mastering the nuances of Scope 3 emissions in the facility services supply chain.

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

The ideal candidate brings 2 to 5 years of experience, ideally from a Big 4 or strategy consultancy, where they have developed rigorous analytical and conceptual skills. Academic excellence is expected, but the ability to present complex data to C-suite executives in a clear, compelling manner is what truly sets a candidate apart. You must demonstrate a high degree of intellectual curiosity regarding ESG regulations and a pragmatic 'can-do' mentality. Fluency in both German and English is mandatory, along with proficiency in digital reporting tools or Power BI for managing large sustainability datasets.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, highlight specific experience where you have successfully navigated a cross-functional project involving multiple departments like Finance, Operations, or Legal. Apleona values the ability to break down silos to achieve compliance goals. In your application, skip generic passion for the environment and focus on the business case for sustainability. Explain how you have used ESG data to drive operational improvements or competitive advantages in previous roles, as this aligns with the company's performance-oriented culture.

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

The role focuses heavily on the environmental footprint of the built environment. Since Apleona manages vast physical assets, your work will center on energy efficiency and Scope 1-3 carbon reduction initiatives that help clients reach their own Net Zero goals. Governance is another major pillar, specifically ensuring that the company’s reporting infrastructure is robust enough to withstand rigorous investor scrutiny and MSCI/Sustainalytics ratings, which are crucial for the company's reputation among global investment funds.

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

A primary challenge will be the harmonization of ESG data across 30 different countries and diverse service lines. Ensuring data quality from decentralized operations for a professional audit requires persistent follow-up and strong diplomatic skills. You may also face the challenge of balancing long-term sustainability goals with the short-term performance metrics typical of a private equity-backed firm. This requires a person who is comfortable with high-pressure environments and rapid decision-making cycles.

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

A typical day might begin with a review of GHG emissions data from a specific business unit, followed by a meeting with the Head of Sustainability to refine a presentation for the board of directors. You might spend your afternoon interpreting new EFRAG guidance to update local reporting templates. Interspersed with technical work, you will likely join stakeholder calls with regional managers to discuss the implementation of decarbonization measures on-site. The day often ends with strategic planning, perhaps modeling the potential impact of a new ESG rating on the company’s capital cost.

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

Given the proximity to the Group CEO and the Private Equity owners, high performers have unmatched visibility which can lead to rapid promotion into senior leadership or regional management roles. The international nature of the group also facilitates moves into global strategy functions. As the sustainability department grows to meet increasing regulatory demands, this role offers the chance to influence the structure of the team itself. You could evolve into a specialized lead for Climate Strategy or move toward a more integrated Corporate Strategy position.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will interact daily with the Head of Sustainability and the Group CEO, providing them with the data and insights needed for strategic steering. Interaction with the Private Equity investors is also a notable aspect of this role's seniority. Externally, you will manage relationships with auditors and ESG rating agencies. Internally, you will act as a consultant to various Business Units (Operations, Finance, HR), helping them understand and implement the ESG requirements that impact their specific areas of the business.

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