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Manager, ESG Internal Controls Assessment

Desjardins • Canada • Added on Oct 29, 2026
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This manager leads the controls assessment program behind Desjardins’ ESG disclosures. They shape the annual, risk-based review plan, guide a specialist team, and work with business areas to assess, document and improve the controls that support reported information. The role links detailed assurance work with governance decisions across a large financial group.

Reliable ESG information depends on clear ownership and consistent evidence across many teams. At Desjardins, this work connects sustainability reporting with finance, risk management and internal governance, helping the cooperative address changing disclosure requirements and give decision-makers a sound basis for oversight. Its value is in making ESG controls part of established risk and reporting practices.

This suits an experienced controls or audit leader who can manage professionals, interpret ESG disclosure needs, and build agreement across a complex, matrixed organization. Strong communication is important, including the ability to present findings and recommendations to senior governance groups; French is required.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The manager develops the ESG internal control framework and annual assessment plan, then oversees risk-based identification, testing and validation of key controls. They coordinate the specialist team, review findings and recommendations, and monitor corrective action plans with the responsible sectors. The role also advises business and control functions on improving documentation and control practices. It brings assessment results and indicators to governance bodies, connecting operational findings to the wider oversight of ESG disclosure.

Key learning opportunities for this job

The position could deepen expertise in ESG disclosure controls, non-financial reporting and the regulatory expectations that shape them. Working across sustainability, finance, risk and business sectors would provide insight into how a large financial group gathers, validates and governs ESG information. Leading specialists and presenting findings to governance bodies could also build senior-level skills in assurance planning, team development and executive communication. The posting does not specify formal training or certification programs.

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

The stated profile combines a degree in accounting, finance, business administration or a related field with at least nine years of relevant experience, including substantial work in controls, risk, audit, regulatory disclosure or governance. Experience with ESG reporting or sustainable development, risk-based control design, and professional team leadership is especially relevant. The role also calls for influence in a matrix organization, coordination across sectors, and confidence drafting and presenting material for executives. French is required. A background in a large professional services firm is listed as experience, while the posting notes that equivalent combinations of qualifications and experience may be considered.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

Make the application concrete: describe a control framework or assessment program you built or led, the risks it addressed, how you coordinated contributors, and how findings led to completed corrective actions. Include measurable evidence where possible, such as coverage, quality improvements or clearer accountability, without disclosing confidential information. Show how your experience connects internal controls to ESG disclosure and regulatory change. Prepare an example of presenting complex findings to senior decision-makers, and demonstrate your French communication ability, since the posting identifies French as required.

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

The role focuses on the governance and reliability of ESG disclosures rather than direct delivery of environmental projects. It is likely to help Desjardins establish consistent controls over how ESG information is produced, assessed and reported across business sectors. The work connects sustainability reporting with finance and integrated risk management, supporting accountability as disclosure requirements change. The posting does not identify particular emissions, social-impact or biodiversity programs, so the specific ESG measures covered would depend on the information included in the group's disclosures.

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

A central challenge could be achieving consistent control practices across numerous sectors that produce different types of ESG information. The manager must balance a risk-based review with practical coordination, while ensuring evidence and assessment quality meet common standards. Regulatory requirements are changing, and the posting notes the cross-sector complexity of ESG issues. Securing timely input, maintaining team capacity, and helping sectors complete corrective actions may require sustained influence without direct authority over every contributor.

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

A day could combine reviewing assessment plans and workpapers with discussions involving the controls team, sustainability, finance, risk management and business sectors. The manager may resolve questions about control design or evidence, check the quality of findings, and agree on next steps with a sector. Other periods may center on annual planning, tracking action plans, or preparing indicators and recommendations for governance meetings. The balance is likely to shift with assessment deadlines and regulatory developments.

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

The role could build a pathway toward broader leadership in ESG governance, disclosure assurance, enterprise risk or internal control. Its scope across sectors and governance functions offers experience relevant to senior roles in sustainability reporting or financial-group oversight. Further development may come through deeper knowledge of evolving disclosure rules, team leadership and executive-level communication. The posting does not specify a promotion path, training budget or certification support.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

The manager leads a team of ESG internal control assessment professionals and reports to the Director of Internal Control Assessments. Key partners include sustainable development, integrated risk management, finance, governance functions and the business sectors responsible for producing ESG information. Interactions would involve agreeing assessment scope, reviewing evidence and findings, and supporting control improvements. Governance bodies and senior stakeholders receive conclusions, indicators and recommendations.

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