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VP - Climate Transition, ESG

Mashreq • United Arab Emirates • Added on Jul 23, 2026
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As a Vice President within the Group ESG function, you will orchestrate the bank’s global climate transition strategy. This senior leadership role involves moving beyond high-level commitments to implement technical decarbonization methodologies across diverse business units. You will own the integrity of financed emissions data, ensuring that every financial portfolio aligns with scientific net-zero benchmarks and emerging regulatory standards.

This position is at the absolute frontier of sustainable finance in the Middle East, transforming a traditional banking giant into a climate-resilient institution. By embedding PCAF methodologies and science-based targets into the core of commercial and investment banking, you directly influence how capital is deployed toward a low-carbon economy. Your work ensures that the bank’s transition isn’t just a policy statement, but a measurable, data-driven reality with real-world impact.

This suits someone who possesses a deep technical mastery of climate science and GHG accounting alongside the corporate gravitas to influence C-suite stakeholders and client-facing teams in a fast-paced banking environment.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The primary mission is to translate high-level climate commitments into actionable decarbonization strategies across the bank's global operations. You will be responsible for the end-to-end management of financed emissions data, utilizing PCAF methodologies to establish baselines and monitor progress against net-zero targets. This involves refining the bank's climate transition strategy and ensuring it remains compliant with international frameworks like ISSB and TCFD. Beyond data governance, you will serve as the senior subject matter expert for various business lines, including Corporate and Investment Banking. You will support the assessment of client transition plans, helping the bank navigate the risks and opportunities associated with the energy transition. This also includes leading the automation of ESG data integration into enterprise-wide platforms to ensure robust reporting and external assurance readiness.

Key learning opportunities for this job

In this role, you will gain unparalleled exposure to the integration of climate science into financial services at a systemic level. You will master the complexities of GHG accounting for varied financial portfolios (Scope 3 Category 15) and stay at the forefront of emerging regulatory landscapes in the GCC and beyond. The role offers a front-row seat to the evolution of international standards such as ISSB and IFRS S2. Furthermore, the position provides a unique mentorship and leadership platform within a major financial institution. You will develop advanced skills in cross-functional transition management, learning how to shift the institutional mindset of a 50-year-old bank toward sustainability. Exposure to high-level industrial decarbonization pathways across diverse sectors like energy, real estate, and manufacturing will significantly broaden your sector-specific sustainability expertise.

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

The ideal candidate brings over 15 years of progressive experience, specifically with hands-on expertise in sustainable finance or climate strategy within a major bank or top-tier consultancy. A Master’s degree or PhD in Environmental Science, Finance, or Climate Policy is expected. You must demonstrate a rigorous understanding of energy systems and the specific economics involved in industrial decarbonization pathways. Technical proficiency in PCAF and science-based target setting is non-negotiable. Soft skills are equally critical; the bank is looking for a leader who can simplify complex climate data into strategic insights for business leaders. You should have a proven track record of managing complex, cross-functional projects in a global environment, ideally with exposure to multiple regulatory jurisdictions.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, move beyond the 'green' rhetoric and focus on your technical and data-driven achievements. In your application, highlight specific instances where you have successfully implemented carbon accounting or ESG risk frameworks within a complex financial structure. Demonstrating a deep understanding of the PCAF methodology and how it applies to different asset classes will be highly valued by the hiring team. Align your resume with Mashreq’s 'challenger' mindset. Show that you are not just a policy writer but an implementer who can drive change in a traditional industry. Preparing insights on the specific climate risks and transition opportunities relevant to the Middle East and GCC region will demonstrate that you have done your homework and are ready to contribute from day one.

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

The core focus is the decarbonization of the bank's lending and investment portfolios. This role is less about internal office recycling and much more about the 'financed emissions' that represent the bank's true environmental footprint. You will be analyzing sector-specific decarbonization pathways to encourage clients toward more sustainable business models. Additionally, the role focuses heavily on transparency and regulatory alignment. As global standards for climate disclosure tighten, this position ensures the bank remains ahead of the curve, particularly regarding the UAE’s own evolving climate regulations. This involves a heavy emphasis on data integrity and the use of technology to automate climate-related reporting.

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

One of the greatest challenges will be bridging the gap between technical climate data and commercial banking realities. You may encounter resistance or lack of understanding when asking business units to integrate climate risk into their traditional credit assessments. Moving from manual data collection to automated, high-quality ESG reporting at scale remains a common hurdle in the industry. Furthermore, the rapidly changing regulatory environment requires constant vigilance. Ensuring that the bank remains compliant across different global jurisdictions with varying levels of climate ambition can be complex. You will need to balance the need for scientific rigor with the practicalities of a fast-moving financial market that often demands quick decision-making.

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

A typical day might begin with a deep dive into financed emissions data sets, coordinating with the data team to ensure accuracy across specific sector portfolios. Mid-morning could involve a strategic meeting with the Corporate and Investment Banking Group to review the transition plan of a major industrial client, providing expert advice on climate-related risks. In the afternoon, you might shift to a regulatory monitoring session, interpreting how new ISSB standards will affect the bank’s upcoming disclosures. The day could conclude with designing a workshop for internal managers to build their capability in assessing climate risks, or collaborating with the IT department on the integration of ESG metrics into the bank’s core analytics dashboard.

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

This is a high-visibility, senior role with direct influence on the bank’s long-term strategy, offering a clear path toward even more senior executive ESG or risk management positions. As the GCC region accelerates its energy transition, leaders with your specific blend of banking and climate expertise will be in exceptionally high demand for Chief Sustainability Officer roles. You will have the opportunity to represent the bank in senior-level external forums and international climate summits, established as a leading voice in sustainable finance. Growth also comes in the form of leading high-impact, cross-functional teams and potentially overseeing the expansion of the ESG function as it becomes increasingly central to the bank's operations.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will interact daily with senior leadership across Group ESG, Risk, and Finance to align climate strategies with the bank's overall risk appetite. You will also be a key partner for client-facing business units like Corporate, Investment, and Retail Banking, providing the technical expertise they need to engage with clients on sustainability topics. External stakeholders are equally important, including regulators, auditors, and assurance providers who will scrutinize the bank’s climate disclosures. You may also engage with industry bodies and climate science organizations to ensure the bank’s methodologies remain consistent with global best practices and scientific developments.

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