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Corporate Social Responsibility & ESG Expert

Otto Group Germany Added on Aug 6, 2026
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You will serve as a central architectural force for the Otto Group’s sustainability framework, translating complex regulatory requirements into actionable corporate strategy. This role involves managing ESG ratings, overseeing non-financial reporting cycles, and ensuring the group remains compliant with evolving European directives like the CSRD. You will bridge the gap between financial performance and social responsibility across a diverse international portfolio.

Working for one of Europe’s largest online retailers, you have the unique opportunity to influence the environmental and social standards of a massive global supply chain. This position is critical because it ensures that the group’s long-standing commitment to ecological and social responsibility is backed by rigorous data and transparent disclosure, maintaining investor trust and market leadership in a transition economy.

This suits someone who possesses at least three years of experience in Sustainable Finance or CSR and thrives on turning technical regulatory standards into pragmatic business solutions within a fast-paced, international retail environment.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The core of this role involves overseeing the non-financial reporting process and ensuring the Group meets all legal requirements, particularly the CSRD. You will be responsible for the technical evaluation of ESG ratings and the continuous development of sustainability frameworks. Beyond data management, you will act as a strategic advisor for the Group's international subsidiaries. This includes interpreting global standards like the UN Global Compact and GRI to ensure unified sustainability performance across the entire organization.

Key learning opportunities for this job

You will gain deep expertise in the CSRD and EU Taxonomy, which are currently the most sought-after regulatory skill sets in the European market. Navigating these requirements for a retail giant provides a unique perspective on large-scale compliance. Additionally, you will develop advanced skills in investor-focused ESG communication by managing relationships with rating agencies like Sustainalytics. This offers a rare bridge between sustainability science and financial market expectations.

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

The ideal candidate brings at least three years of professional experience specifically within CSR or Sustainable Finance. A degree in business or finance with a clear focus on sustainability is essential to handle the analytical rigor of the role. Soft skills are just as vital; you should be a communicative bridge-builder who can explain complex regulatory topics to various business units. Proficiency in MS Office and fluent English are required for this international coordination role.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, demonstrate your practical experience with ESG frameworks (GRI, UNGC) and mention specific projects where you improved a company's rating or compliance status. Otto Group values their family-business heritage, so emphasize your alignment with value-based management. Showcase your ability to think conceptually and pragmatically. Mentioning how you have handled the transition to CSRD or dealt with complex data structures in previous roles will signal that you are ready for the Group's scale.

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

The focus is heavily weighted toward governance and transparency, specifically ensuring that the company’s environmental and social impact is accurately measured and reported. You will be the guardian of the Group's sustainability data integrity. There is also a strong link to Sustainable Finance, as your work directly impacts how the company is perceived by capital markets and ethical investors who monitor the Group's ESG performance closely.

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

A primary challenge will be the harmonization of data across dozens of international holdings and brands, each with different levels of sustainability maturity. Ensuring consistent reporting standards requires significant diplomatic and organizational effort. You will also need to keep pace with the rapidly shifting regulatory landscape in the EU. Maintaining a pragmatic approach while meeting strict legal requirements can be a difficult balancing act in a high-volume retail environment.

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

Your day might begin with a meeting to coordinate ESG data collection with international leads, followed by an analytical session to review recent Sustainalytics feedback. You might then shift to drafting sections of the annual sustainability report. Afternoons often involve cross-functional workshops where you advise internal departments on how to integrate new CSRD requirements into their existing workflows, ensuring that sustainability is not a siloed activity but a core business function.

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

This role offers high visibility within the Group, providing a platform to transition into strategic leadership positions in sustainability or corporate finance. You are at the intersection of the most critical topics for the company's future. Given the Group's size, there are opportunities for internal mobility across different brands or specialized functions like sustainable procurement or environmental management, allowing for a diverse long-term career path.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will interact frequently with the Executive Board and senior management to report on ESG performance. Your daily collaborators will include colleagues from the Finance, Legal, and Corporate Communications departments. Externally, your main contacts will be ESG rating agencies, auditors, and sustainability consultants. You act as the primary interface between the company’s internal performance and the external reporting world.

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