Assistant/Associate - ESG

The main responsibility of this role is to manage the end-to-end data pipeline for corporate sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. The candidate will coordinate with diverse internal departments (such as Credit, HR, Legal, and Operations) as well as regional branches to collect, clean, and validate key ESG metrics. This includes gathering environmental data like energy, water, and fuel usage for Scope 1, Scope 2, and business travel computations, as well as managing audit-ready document repositories. On a regulatory and disclosure level, the associate will actively support the drafting and compilation of the Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report (BRSR), BRSR Core, and Annual Report ESG disclosures. Furthermore, the role involves supporting climate risk mapping by linking loan portfolio locations to environmental hazard zones and contributing to financed emissions (PCAF) and TCFD/ISSB disclosure workflows. Day-to-day administrative coordination also forms an integral component, spanning ESG rating agency questionnaire support, CSR disbursement booking assistance, and managing progress dashboards and presentation decks for executive review.

Working in this role provides deep, hands-on exposure to Indian regulatory compliance frameworks, notably SEBI's BRSR and BRSR Core mandates alongside Reserve Bank of India (RBI) draft guidelines on climate-related financial risk. The candidate will master the practical mechanisms of corporate disclosure and regulatory alignment in a listed public enterprise. Technical competencies can expand substantially in carbon accounting and financed emissions methodologies (PCAF), portfolio-level physical climate risk geospatial mapping, and ESG data automation. The associate will also gain valuable experience interfacing with database workflows and dashboard tools like Power BI.

The ideal candidate brings around 1 to 2 years of relevant experience in ESG reporting, MIS management, or database systems within financial services, consulting, or corporate sustainability teams. A background in computer applications, engineering, commerce, or data analytics paired with sustainability coursework is particularly well suited. Key technical competencies include advanced MS Excel proficiency (pivot tables, complex formulas, Power Query, or macro automation), alongside a working knowledge of the Companies Act (Section 135) and global frameworks such as GRI and ISSB. Strong cross-functional coordination, diligent follow-up habits, and high attention to detail for audit trails are essential.

To stand out, emphasize quantifiable experience in managing ESG data collections and automated reporting templates rather than purely theoretical sustainability knowledge. Providing concrete examples of how you have streamlined data collection or audited large spreadsheets will demonstrate immediate operational capability. Highlight familiarity with BRSR metrics and banking/housing finance operations. Given the in-person Corporate Office setup in Mumbai, demonstrating readiness to manage cross-functional stakeholder dynamics and a fast notice period will significantly strengthen your profile.

The position heavily concentrates on governance and transparent ESG disclosures, ensuring compliance with domestic mandates such as BRSR Core assurance and RBI climate disclosure guidelines. It covers standard corporate footprinting across extensive physical operations and branches. Additionally, there is a strategic focus on sustainable finance and climate risk integration. The role will actively gather data to evaluate financed emissions across the retail and commercial mortgage portfolios and support spatial assessments of climate hazards like flooding and heat stress against financed properties.

A primary challenge will be driving timely and accurate data submissions across hundreds of regional units and marketing centers that may have varying degrees of ESG literacy. Overcoming data hygiene gaps, missing historical records, and manual tracking habits will require persistent coordination and patience. Another challenge lies in bridging technical IT systems with evolving climate disclosure standards. The associate must balance meticulous compliance verification for external audits with the fast-moving pace of quarterly and annual financial reporting cycles.

A typical morning might begin by checking regional data submission trackers, running validation checks on energy and fuel utility metrics received from branch offices, and flagging discrepancies for clarification. The associate might then coordinate with IT to review data extractions from core loan management systems. Afternoons could involve working in Excel to update the BRSR Core data repository, assisting with carbon accounting calculations, or mapping property addresses against hazard matrices. The day usually concludes with drafting departmental follow-up notes, updating CSR project disbursement trackers, or assembling slides for internal ESG steering meetings.

Given the burgeoning demand for sustainability analysts within India's financial and banking sectors, this position offers a strong springboard into specialized roles in sustainable finance, climate risk assessment, and corporate governance. Successful execution can lead to progression into full ESG managerial responsibilities, leading BRSR assurance processes, or transitioning into specialized climate stress-testing and green bond framework roles within corporate finance.

Internal stakeholders span across multiple corporate functions including Credit, Risk Management, Human Resources, Administration, IT, and Operations, along with managers across regional marketing offices. Constant dialogue is required to ensure data integrity and process compliance. Externally, the role involves intermittent liaison with statutory auditors, external BRSR assurance providers, ESG rating agencies, and CSR implementation partners to resolve data queries and supply supporting evidence.