Q: What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The core mission involves supporting the transition to the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) within a major pharmaceutical group. You will help update ESG narratives, ensuring that environmental and social impacts are accurately communicated to stakeholders. Your responsibilities include preparing governance meetings and assisting with external audits to validate the quality of non-financial reporting. You will also monitor external trends and stakeholder expectations to ensure the company remains a leader in ESG performance .

Q: Key learning opportunities for this job

This role offers an exceptional vantage point on European ESG regulations , specifically the practical application of CSRD standards in a large-scale corporate environment. You will learn how to bridge the gap between sustainability strategy and technical data compliance. Beyond regulatory knowledge, you will gain exposure to digital reporting tools and audit methodologies. This internship provides high-level training in managing complex information flows across international departments, a highly sought-after skill in the current ESG job market.

Q: Advice to stand out and make a successful application

Focus your application on your understanding of the CSRD and ESRS standards . Demonstrating that you are not just familiar with the acronyms but understand the implications of double materiality will distinguish you from other candidates. Tailor your resume to show any experience with data analysis or project management . Sanofi values candidates who show proactive problem-solving skills, so mention any specific academic projects where you had to coordinate multiple stakeholders or interpret complex regulations.

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

The role is primarily focused on transparency and accountability . You will likely work on topics ranging from carbon footprint and resource management to social equity and product accessibility, translating these into standardized ESG metrics. By focusing on the Governance pillar of ESG, you ensure that the company’s scientific purpose ('chasing miracles') is backed by verifiable data. Your work helps demonstrate how Sanofi’s manufacturing and R&D activities align with global climate targets and social responsibility goals.

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

One of the primary challenges will be the complexity of data collection across a global organization with nearly 100,000 employees. Ensuring consistency and compliance under the newly implemented CSRD requirements requires extreme attention to detail. You might also face the challenge of cross-functional coordination , as ESG reporting requires input from R&D, supply chain, and HR teams who may have different priorities. Navigating these interactions while maintaining reporting deadlines is key to success.

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

A typical day might begin with a meeting to review narrative updates with internal subject matter experts, followed by a working session on ESG data validation for the upcoming audit. You will likely spend time analyzing new regulatory updates to ensure internal processes remain compliant. In the afternoon, you might assist in preparing executive presentations for governance committees or research external benchmarks to see how peers are reporting on specific KPIs. The day is a mix of technical documentation, collaborative meetings, and strategic monitoring.

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

Participating in the first wave of CSRD reporting at a multinational company is a significant career accelerator. It positions you as a specialist in one of the most in-demand areas of corporate sustainability today. Depending on your performance, this role could open doors to permanent ESG analyst positions or specialized consultancy roles. The experience gained in a biopharma leader like Sanofi provides a robust foundation for climbing the ladder into global sustainability management.

Q: The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will interact frequently with the Performance ESG Team and the wider Corporate Social Responsibility department. These collaborators will provide the mentorship and strategic direction for your daily tasks. External stakeholders include third-party auditors who verify the ESG data, while internal stakeholders involve experts from various business units such as Finance, HR, and Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) who provide the primary data and narratives.

Question 1

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

Accepted Answer

The core mission involves supporting the transition to the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) within a major pharmaceutical group. You will help update ESG narratives, ensuring that environmental and social impacts are accurately communicated to stakeholders. Your responsibilities include preparing governance meetings and assisting with external audits to validate the quality of non-financial reporting. You will also monitor external trends and stakeholder expectations to ensure the company remains a leader in ESG performance.

Question 2

Key learning opportunities for this job

Accepted Answer

This role offers an exceptional vantage point on European ESG regulations, specifically the practical application of CSRD standards in a large-scale corporate environment. You will learn how to bridge the gap between sustainability strategy and technical data compliance. Beyond regulatory knowledge, you will gain exposure to digital reporting tools and audit methodologies. This internship provides high-level training in managing complex information flows across international departments, a highly sought-after skill in the current ESG job market.

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

The ideal candidate is currently pursuing a Master’s degree (Bac+4/5) in Sustainable Development, CSR, or Environmental Management. A strong understanding of ESG frameworks and regulations, particularly the CSRD, is essential for this technical reporting role. Success in this position requires a balance of analytical rigor and interpersonal skills. Since you will be collaborating with various teams, the ability to synthesize complex information and communicate fluently in both French and English is critical.

Question 4

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

Accepted Answer

Focus your application on your understanding of the CSRD and ESRS standards. Demonstrating that you are not just familiar with the acronyms but understand the implications of double materiality will distinguish you from other candidates. Tailor your resume to show any experience with data analysis or project management. Sanofi values candidates who show proactive problem-solving skills, so mention any specific academic projects where you had to coordinate multiple stakeholders or interpret complex regulations.

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

The role is primarily focused on transparency and accountability. You will likely work on topics ranging from carbon footprint and resource management to social equity and product accessibility, translating these into standardized ESG metrics. By focusing on the Governance pillar of ESG, you ensure that the company’s scientific purpose ('chasing miracles') is backed by verifiable data. Your work helps demonstrate how Sanofi’s manufacturing and R&D activities align with global climate targets and social responsibility goals.

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

One of the primary challenges will be the complexity of data collection across a global organization with nearly 100,000 employees. Ensuring consistency and compliance under the newly implemented CSRD requirements requires extreme attention to detail. You might also face the challenge of cross-functional coordination, as ESG reporting requires input from R&D, supply chain, and HR teams who may have different priorities. Navigating these interactions while maintaining reporting deadlines is key to success.

Question 7

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

Accepted Answer

A typical day might begin with a meeting to review narrative updates with internal subject matter experts, followed by a working session on ESG data validation for the upcoming audit. You will likely spend time analyzing new regulatory updates to ensure internal processes remain compliant. In the afternoon, you might assist in preparing executive presentations for governance committees or research external benchmarks to see how peers are reporting on specific KPIs. The day is a mix of technical documentation, collaborative meetings, and strategic monitoring.

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

Participating in the first wave of CSRD reporting at a multinational company is a significant career accelerator. It positions you as a specialist in one of the most in-demand areas of corporate sustainability today. Depending on your performance, this role could open doors to permanent ESG analyst positions or specialized consultancy roles. The experience gained in a biopharma leader like Sanofi provides a robust foundation for climbing the ladder into global sustainability management.

Question 9

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

Accepted Answer

You will interact frequently with the Performance ESG Team and the wider Corporate Social Responsibility department. These collaborators will provide the mentorship and strategic direction for your daily tasks. External stakeholders include third-party auditors who verify the ESG data, while internal stakeholders involve experts from various business units such as Finance, HR, and Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) who provide the primary data and narratives.

Performance Environnementale, Sociale & Gouvernance

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