ESG Climate and Environmental Strategy Manager

The primary mission is to supervise and coordinate the Sustainable Finance Framework and Reporting sub-division. This means ensuring that the Bank's lending and investment activities comply with regulatory disclosure requirements and with its own strategic climate goals. You would oversee the framework that defines what counts as sustainable financing and how criteria are applied during credit approval. On the reporting side, you would be responsible for calculating and disclosing climate and environmental metrics. This includes Pillar III disclosures, climate and environmental stress tests, supervisory reviews and the Sustainability Statement under the EU Taxonomy. You would also support the allocation of proceeds from sustainable bond issuances and contribute to revising the Sustainable Bond Framework. A further responsibility is project management: tracking timelines, coordinating across departments and providing senior management with the information they need. You would represent the sub-division in working groups and committees, both inside and outside the Bank, and contribute to training and awareness initiatives for employees.

You would deepen your knowledge of sustainable finance frameworks, particularly the EU Taxonomy, the Sustainable Bond Framework and Pillar III disclosure requirements. The role offers direct exposure to climate and environmental stress testing and to the process of allocating bond proceeds, which are specialised skills in high demand across European banks. Because the sub-division sits within the Bank's Climate and Environmental Strategy Directorate, you would gain insight into how ESG strategy is integrated into corporate strategy at Group level. Working with senior management and external organisations would build your stakeholder management and presentation skills. NBG provides access to training programmes, NBG Academies, certifications and Coursera courses. You could pursue further specialisation in sustainability, net zero or energy efficiency, and gain project management experience on cross-departmental initiatives.

The ideal candidate has at least four years of experience in financial data analysis or forecasting models, preferably in banking or financial services. You should also have at least three years of experience supervising and managing a team, since the role leads a sub-division. A university degree in a scientific or economic field is required. Technical skills matter: strong Excel for handling large datasets and creating reports, PowerPoint for senior management presentations, and a solid grasp of financial terminology and analysis. Very good English at C1 level is essential. Desirable qualifications include a master's in banking, finance or an MBA, and certifications such as ACCA, CFA, PMP or a Certificate in Sustainability for Finance. Experience in sustainability and sustainable finance, ideally in environmental or climate topics, plus project management skills in cross-departmental projects, would strengthen an application. Soft skills include strategic thinking, analytical problem-solving, stakeholder management and the ability to prioritise under deadlines.

Tailor your CV to highlight experience with financial data analysis and forecasting models, ideally in a banking context. Quantify your team management experience, specifying how many people you supervised and for how long. Mention any exposure to ESG reporting, sustainable finance frameworks, Pillar III disclosures or climate stress tests, even if it was part of a broader role. In your cover letter, connect your analytical skills to the specific responsibilities: sustainable finance framework oversight, bond proceeds allocation and EU Taxonomy reporting. Show that you understand the regulatory environment in which NBG operates and why accurate climate metrics matter for a bank of its size. Avoid generic statements about sustainability; focus on concrete examples. For interviews, prepare to discuss how you have managed cross-departmental projects and handled tight reporting deadlines. Be ready to explain how you would support first line units in applying sustainable finance criteria. Familiarity with Greek banking or the Greek market could be an advantage, though the role operates in English at C1 level.

The role centres on the Bank's sustainable finance framework, which determines which loans and investments qualify as green or sustainable. You would oversee how environmental criteria are applied in credit decisions, ensuring alignment with the EU Taxonomy and the Bank's Sustainable Bond Framework. This includes tracking the allocation of proceeds from green bond issuances. A significant part of the focus is climate and environmental reporting: Pillar III disclosures, climate and environmental stress tests, supervisory reviews and the Sustainability Statement under the EU Taxonomy. These outputs are the Bank's public evidence of its environmental performance and regulatory compliance. Beyond reporting, you would contribute to the continuous improvement of the Bank's environmental performance, for example through energy efficiency or circular economy considerations, and support internal awareness sessions for staff and customers.

A likely challenge is the dual pressure of regulatory deadlines and internal data quality. Climate and environmental metrics often come from multiple systems and departments, and ensuring accuracy for Pillar III or EU Taxonomy reporting can require significant coordination and follow-up. Another challenge is keeping the Sustainable Finance Framework aligned with evolving European and international standards. You would need to monitor regulatory changes and translate them into practical criteria that the first line can apply without slowing down credit decisions. The role also involves managing stakeholders with different priorities. Convincing busy colleagues to supply data or adopt new tools, while maintaining momentum on project timelines, could demand persistence and clear communication. Balancing detail-oriented reporting work with strategic input to senior management is a further test.

A typical day likely starts with a review of outstanding data requests for the Pillar III or EU Taxonomy disclosures, checking what the first line has submitted and where gaps remain. Mid-morning might bring a working session with colleagues from risk or finance on the automation of a sustainable finance tool, or a review of a new financing application against the framework criteria. Afternoons often involve meetings with the Head of Methodology, Tools and Reporting on project timelines, or with sustainable bond allocation colleagues to confirm that proceeds tracking is on schedule. You might also prepare a PowerPoint update for senior management on climate metrics or stress test progress. The mix shifts with the reporting calendar. Near disclosure deadlines, the day becomes more intense and detail-oriented, while quieter periods allow time for policy updates or cross-departmental workshops.

Given the seniority of the role, growth could come through expanding the scope of the sub-division as ESG regulation increases. Success in aligning the Sustainable Finance Framework with international standards might lead to broader responsibility within the Climate and Environmental Strategy Directorate or across the Group. The exposure to senior management and to Group units in Cyprus and North Macedonia could open lateral moves into other strategic functions. Building expertise in climate stress testing and EU Taxonomy reporting positions you well for similar roles at larger European banks or supervisory institutions. NBG offers structured onboarding, continuous support from HR Business Partners and access to training and certifications. High-visibility projects, such as revising the Sustainable Bond Framework or automating reporting tools, could serve as a platform for further advancement.

Inside the Bank, you would work closely with the first line units that originate financing, supporting them in applying sustainable finance criteria. You would also interact regularly with the Head of Methodology, Tools and Reporting, to whom you report, and with colleagues in risk, finance and compliance who contribute data for disclosures. Outside your immediate directorate, you would collaborate with other Bank departments on shared projects and with Group units in Cyprus and North Macedonia. Senior management is a key audience, since you would prepare updates and presentations on climate metrics and project progress. Externally, you would engage with domestic and international organisations focused on climate and environmental strategy, as well as with partners involved in sustainable bond issuances. You would also work with Human Resources on staff awareness programmes.