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Senior Advisor, Sustainability

Export Development Canada Canada Added on Sep 15, 2026
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You will act as a key architect in bringing the organization’s Climate Action Plan to life, moving sustainability from a high-level strategy into the practical core of global trade finance. This involves working directly with business lines to integrate climate risk assessments into portfolio management and developing innovative financial products that incentivize green transitions for Canadian exporters. You will bridge the gap between technical climate research and front-line business operations.

Working for a major financial Crown corporation means your influence extends beyond internal policies to the global supply chain. By helping Canadian businesses build climate capacity, you are effectively decarbonizing international trade pathways. This role is vital because it transforms financial tools into levers for global environmental impact, ensuring that Canada’s economic growth is decoupled from carbon intensity and aligned with international climate commitments.

This suits someone who possesses deep technical knowledge of climate finance and enjoys the challenge of influencing diverse internal stakeholders to adopt complex, mission-critical environmental strategies.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The primary focus is to operationalize the Climate Action Plan by providing technical expertise and research to various business units. You will be responsible for identifying ways to weave climate considerations into the fabric of EDC's financial products and client engagement strategies, ensuring that sustainability is not a siloed function. Beyond strategy, you will take a hands-on approach to portfolio climate risk management and lead capacity-building initiatives for clients. This includes coordinating with external consultants and monitoring global ESG trends to ensure the organization remains at the forefront of sustainable finance practices.

Key learning opportunities for this job

You will gain deep exposure to the intersection of development finance and climate strategy, learning how a major financial institution manages transition risks across a global portfolio. This role offers a front-row seat to the evolution of financed emissions modeling and the practical application of climate science in a commercial context. There is also a significant opportunity to sharpen your cross-functional leadership skills. By navigating the complexities of a Crown corporation, you will learn to align public policy objectives with private sector financial needs, particularly within high-impact sectors like energy and mining.

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

The ideal candidate brings at least 7-8 years of experience, specifically within financial services or climate-focused sustainability roles. A strong technical background in climate science, environmental law, or business is essential to maintain credibility when advising front-line teams. We look for individuals with a Master’s degree in a relevant field and specific knowledge of energy or agrifood sectors. Experience with financed emissions calculations and a track record of implementing large-scale corporate programs will distinguish the most qualified applicants.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, move beyond general sustainability concepts and demonstrate your technical proficiency in sustainable finance products. Highlight any specific experience you have with climate risk frameworks or modeling financed emissions, as these are high-priority areas for the team. Since this role requires heavy internal consultation, emphasize your ability to translate complex climate data into actionable business insights. If you are bilingual in English and French, make sure to highlight this, as EDC operates in a federal Canadian context where official language proficiency is highly valued.

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

The role is heavily weighted toward climate change mitigation and sustainable finance. You will likely focus on decarbonizing the export portfolio and ensuring that the financial support provided to Canadian companies encourages low-carbon business models. There is also a significant focus on governance and risk, particularly regarding how climate-related physical and transition risks are integrated into the corporation's overall risk appetite and reporting frameworks.

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

A primary challenge will be breaking down organizational silos to ensure climate strategy is adopted by front-line staff who may be focused on traditional financial metrics. Balancing the immediate needs of exporters with long-term climate targets requires significant diplomatic skill. You may also face challenges related to data quality and availability when calculating financed emissions across diverse international markets, necessitating creative problem-solving and rigorous analytical standards.

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

A typical day might begin with a research deep-dive into emerging ESG trends, followed by a meeting with the portfolio risk team to discuss climate stress testing. You could spend your afternoon collaborating with product developers to design a new sustainable finance offering for the agrifood sector. You will frequently interact with external consultants to track the progress of specialized projects while maintaining continuous communication with the Director of Climate & Sustainable Finance to ensure milestone alignment.

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

Given the 'Sustainability 19' grade and the seniority of the role, there is a clear path toward strategic leadership within the Sustainability Group. You will have high visibility across the executive team, providing a platform for potential movement into director-level positions. Professional development is highly encouraged at EDC, with access to specialized training and workshops that can help you become a recognized expert in the Canadian sustainable finance landscape.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will work closely with internal lines of business, including lenders, risk managers, and product development teams, to ensure climate goals are met. You will also report directly to the Director of Climate & Sustainable Finance. Externally, you will engage with consultants, industry experts, and Canadian exporters. These interactions are focused on building client capacity and ensuring that EDC’s sustainability efforts are informed by global best practices and real-world market conditions.

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