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Senior Sustainability Manager

BestSecret Group • Germany • Added on Jul 22, 2026
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As a central expert within the Compliance, Risk, and Sustainability department, you will spearhead the evolution of the group’s sustainability reporting framework. This role centers on upgrading ESG data management and ensuring that all corporate disclosures meet rigorous European standards. You will transition reporting from a manual effort to a scalable, digitally-supported process.

In the high-velocity world of luxury e-commerce, transparency is the new currency. By mastering the CSRD requirements, you directly influence how a major European fashion player manages its environmental and social footprint across 28 countries. Your work transforms raw data into strategic intelligence, helping the business navigate the complex intersection of profitability and planetary boundaries within the off-price sector.

This suits someone who possesses a sharp analytical mind and thrives on translating complex ESG regulations into practical, tech-driven business solutions. You should be equally comfortable with deep Excel modeling and presenting high-level strategic business cases to senior management.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The primary focus is the professionalization and optimization of CSRD-compliant sustainability reporting. You will lead the annual reporting cycle, ensuring data validation, content coordination, and high-quality assurance across the entire group. Beyond just reporting, you are responsible for monitoring regulatory ESG developments and evaluating their impacts. You will coordinate the implementation of these requirements with internal departments to ensure the company remains ahead of legal changes. Strategic involvement is a key pillar, as you will develop business cases and management presentations. These analyses provide the essential decision-making basis for senior leadership to drive impactful sustainability initiatives.

Key learning opportunities for this job

You will gain deep, hands-on expertise in CSRD implementation within a complex, international retail environment. This includes mastering the nuances of European ESG regulations and learning how to build scalable data management processes from the ground up. Exposure to cross-functional governance is significant here. Sitting within the Compliance, Risk, and Internal Audit team, you will learn how sustainability integrates with corporate risk management and audit standard, providing a holistic view of modern corporate governance. The role also offers a chance to sharpen digital and analytical skills as applied to ESG. You will work with digital tools for KPI tracking and data management, moving sustainability from qualitative stories to quantitative, audit-ready performance metrics.

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

The ideal candidate has at least five years of professional experience, typically coming from a corporate sustainability department or a top-tier management consultancy. A Master’s degree in a relevant field is expected. You should possess strong numerical and analytical skills. Proficiency in Excel and an affinity for digital tools are non-negotiable, as the role requires building scalable reporting processes rather than just writing text. Fluency in both German and English is essential, alongside the ability to communicate complex regulatory topics to stakeholders who may not be ESG experts. Experience in the fashion or e-commerce industry is a distinct advantage.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, demonstrate your technical maturity regarding CSRD. Instead of just mentioning it/you should be able to discuss double materiality or specific disclosure requirements that apply to a large retailer. Highlight your 'consultancy' mindset by showcasing examples where you turned data into a business case. BESTSECRET values a tech-focused, data-driven mindset, so emphasize your experience with ESG software or advanced analytical modeling. Prepare to discuss how you bridge the gap between compliance and strategy. The company is looking for someone who doesn't just check boxes but understands how sustainability reporting can drive real operational improvement and long-term business value.

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

The role is heavily weighted toward ESG governance and reporting compliance. With the arrival of CSRD, ensuring the accuracy and transparency of environmental and social data is a top priority for the Group. Given the industry, there is a likely focus on supply chain transparency and the environmental footprint of fashion products. You will likely analyze the sustainability performance across a vast network of international brand partners. Additionally, the role supports the broader sustainability strategy execution. This involves identifying strategic initiatives that can improve the company's overall performance rating and brand equity in a circular or more sustainable fashion economy.

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

A primary challenge will be data collection across 28 countries and various business units. Coordinating with diverse departments to ensure high data quality and timely reporting in a fast-paced retail environment requires persistence and influence. Navigating the evolving regulatory landscape is another obstacle. Staying ahead of new EU directives and translating them into actionable internal processes without disrupting core operations is a complex delicate balancing act. You might also face the challenge of driving cultural change within a tech and profit-focused company, ensuring that sustainability is viewed as a strategic value-driver rather than just a compliance burden.

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

A typical day might begin with analyzing ESG KPIs and coordinating with the IT or finance teams to refine data collection workflows for the next reporting cycle. You could spend the afternoon researching new ESG regulations and drafting a management briefing that outlines the implications for BESTSECRET’s business model and luxury brand partnerships. The day often involves stakeholder meetings, where you might advise a functional lead on how to improve their department's sustainability performance or work with the compliance team to integrate ESG risks into the corporate risk register.

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

This position offers significant visibility within the company, as you directly support the senior management team with decision-making materials. High performance in this role can lead to increased strategic responsibility. As the sustainability department matures, there are opportunities for leadership development. You may transition into managing larger projects or overseeing specific pillars of the sustainability strategy beyond reporting. The specialized knowledge gained in European ESG regulation and digital reporting is currently in extremely high demand, positioning you as a high-value expert in the European fashion and e-commerce job market.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will be a key member of the Compliance, Risk, Sustainability, and Internal Audit team, reporting to management and collaborating closely with your colleagues in these areas. Externally, you will interact with auditors and ESG consultants during the verification of sustainability reports, ensuring that the company’s disclosures meet all legal and professional standards. Internally, your network will span across Product, Operations, and Management. You will act as a consultant to various business leads, helping them understand and achieve their sustainability targets.

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