Nachhaltigkeitsmanager:in

The core mission involves orchestrating the bank's non-financial disclosures, with a primary focus on ensuring compliance with mandatory regulatory frameworks such as the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS). The manager contributes directly to the annual sustainability report and coordinates relevant ESG rating submissions. A significant operational responsibility is maintaining and refining the bank’s greenhouse gas accounting across Scopes 1, 2, and 3. This includes applying rigorous quality assurance protocols to emissions calculations and supporting the formulation and rollout of the corporate climate transition plan to meet net-zero milestones. Additionally, the professional is expected to guide and facilitate external audit procedures related to sustainability data, collaborating across internal departments to ensure audit-readiness and process traceability.

This role offers advanced practical immersion in the implementation of CSRD and ESRS reporting architectures within the banking sector, an area undergoing rapid technical transformation and regulatory scrutiny. The candidate will deepen their technical knowledge of financed emissions accounting (Scope 3 Category 15) and climate transition planning according to recognized European and international financial frameworks. Furthermore, direct exposure to third-party assurance processes will improve the candidate's understanding of internal controls, ESG data governance, and corporate audit standards.

The ideal candidate holds a Master's degree in sustainability, environmental management, or a related discipline, paired with proven professional experience in corporate ESG reporting or consulting. Strong technical fluency with regulatory reporting frameworks, specifically CSRD and ESRS, is essential. Familiarity with greenhouse gas accounting protocols and carbon calculation methodologies forms a vital baseline for the position. Analytically minded and proactive, the profile requires excellent cross-functional coordination skills, attention to data accuracy, and the ability to comfortably liaise with both internal risk teams and external auditors.

Highlight practical experience with carbon accounting tools and concrete methodologies used for Scope 1-3 calculations, particularly any experience related to financial institutions or supply-chain emissions. Demonstrate familiarity with the technical requirements of the CSRD and ESRS disclosure requirements, showing that you can translate complex regulatory texts into actionable corporate data points. Tailor your application by articulating how a strong sustainability foundation can empower a regional cooperative bank to drive sustainable transition within the local economy.

The role centers heavily on climate metrics and decarbonization pathways, specifically operational emissions tracking and designing transition strategies for the institution. Another major pillar is governance and transparent ESG disclosure, ensuring alignment with emerging European standards and strengthening third-party credibility through ratings and limited/reasonable assurance audits. Over time, the role likely interfaces with sustainable finance concepts, helping quantify and navigate the environmental risks and transition dynamics inherent in regional banking portfolios.

A primary challenge will be handling data availability and data quality, particularly regarding complex Scope 3 financed emissions and upstream supply chains. Balancing rigorous, time-sensitive compliance requirements against the continuous evolution of EU sustainable finance regulation can create operational pressure. Fostering internal buy-in across commercial and risk departments to standardize data collection requires persistence and strong change management acumen.

A regular day could begin with reviewing data submissions from operational departments to validate greenhouse gas metrics against quality benchmarks. The midday hours might involve collaborating with cross-functional teams to advance chapters of the CSRD-aligned sustainability report or preparing documentation for an upcoming external audit check. In the afternoon, the focus may shift to strategic modeling, such as refining the bank’s transition plan targets or evaluating methodology updates for carbon footprint calculation.

Given the strategic importance of ESG in banking, this position provides a clear pathway toward senior sustainability management or specialized ESG leadership roles. There is substantial room to expand responsibilities into sustainable finance product advisory, portfolio climate risk analysis, or broader corporate governance. The high visibility with executive stakeholders and external auditors positions the individual well for continued career progression in the European financial sector.

Internal collaboration involves constant contact with finance, risk management, and compliance units to gather data and harmonize reporting structures. The manager will also interface regularly with external auditors and ESG rating analysts during evaluation and verification cycles. Senior leadership and business unit heads will rely on this role for guidance on regulatory compliance and transition planning milestones.