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Senior Expert Sustainability

United Bulgarian Bank • Bulgaria • Added on Sep 10, 2026
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This role acts as a central pivot for sustainability across all KBC Group entities in Bulgaria, moving beyond mere compliance to steer the local strategic agenda. You will own the end-to-end ESG data lifecycle, from collection and client analysis to the final production of CSRD-aligned reports. Beyond reporting, the role involves coordinating cross-functional teams to embed sustainable finance products into the bank’s core portfolio, ensuring every loan and insurance product aligns with environmental risk standards.

Working within the largest banking and insurance group in Bulgaria offers a unique platform to scale green finance. The impact here is twofold: helping corporate clients navigate their own green transitions through data-driven insights and securing the bank’s future against climate-related financial risks. It is a strategic mandate to integrate sustainable practices into the very fabric of Bulgarian financial services.

This suits someone who possesses a rigorous analytical mindset for ESG taxonomy and reporting, yet thrives in a collaborative environment. If you combine technical knowledge of EU sustainability regulations with the ability to influence diverse business units, this is your next step.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The primary mission involves supporting the strategic sustainability objectives of UBB and KBC Group entities in Bulgaria. This includes managing the transition towards a green lending and insurance portfolio by effectively identifying and mitigating climate-related risks. You will be responsible for the full spectrum of ESG data, from collection to sophisticated analysis. In addition to technical data work, you will drive the expansion of sustainable finance. This means leading cross-functional teams to design and implement products that meet EU Taxonomy criteria. You also act as a regulatory watchdog, ensuring all local operations remain compliant with evolving standards like CSRD.

Key learning opportunities for this job

Candidates will gain deep expertise in the practical application of CSRD and EU Taxonomy within a complex financial services environment. You will likely develop a specialized understanding of how environmental risks translate into financial modeling and credit risk assessments, a highly sought-after skill in modern banking. Furthermore, the role offers exposure to a broad range of financial sectors, including leasing, asset management, and insurance. This provides a holistic view of the KBC Group's integrated business model, allowing you to learn how sustainability transcends individual product lines to become a group-wide value driver.

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

The ideal candidate brings a University degree in Economics, Engineering, or Ecology, reflecting a balance between financial literacy and environmental science. You should have a proven track record in banking or consulting, with a specific focus on sustainability reporting and data processing. Technical mastery of double materiality analysis and ESG indicators is essential. Beyond the hard skills, the team looks for someone with high fluency in English and the interpersonal agility to manage complex stakeholders across various business units and external regulatory bodies.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, move beyond generalist sustainability knowledge and demonstrate a clear understanding of Sustainable Finance frameworks. In your application, highlight specific experience you have with data-heavy reporting cycles or how you have successfully interpreted complex regulatory changes for non-sustainability audiences. Showcasing your familiarity with the Bulgarian financial landscape and KBC Group's regional presence will also be beneficial. Tailor your resume to reflect your ability to bridge the gap between environmental goals and commercial banking outcomes.

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

The focus is heavily weighted toward Environmental and Climate-related Risk Management within the banking portfolio. You will work on aligning the group’s lending activities with global decarbonization targets, ensuring that capital is directed toward sustainable economic activities. Social and Governance aspects are addressed through transparent reporting and stakeholder engagement. The role ensures that the bank's commitment to sustainability is communicated accurately to the market, avoiding greenwashing while fostering strategic partnerships with industry organizations.

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

One of the primary challenges will be the harmonization of ESG data across multiple distinct entities within the KBC Group Bulgaria umbrella. Ensuring data quality and consistency for CSRD reports in a fragmented data environment requires significant persistence and technical precision. Additionally, influencing traditional banking departments to adopt new, green product standards can encounter internal resistance. You will need to balance rigorous regulatory compliance with the need for commercial flexibility and innovation in a competitive market.

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

A typical day might begin with reviewing the latest updates from European sustainability regulators to assess their impact on local operations. This is often followed by meetings with data teams or IT to refine the collection process for client ESG profiles. Your afternoon might involve collaborating with product managers to brainstorm new sustainable investment or loan products, followed by drafting sections of the annual sustainability report. The day usually ends with stakeholder communication, perhaps preparing a brief for the marketing team to ensure sustainability claims are grounded in fact.

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

This role is a gateway to senior leadership positions within the ESG space of a major international financial group. The expertise gained here is directly transferable to global sustainability roles within KBC Group or other multinational financial institutions. Because you will be working on high-visibility strategic initiatives, you have the opportunity to build a reputation as a key influencer in the Bulgarian green finance market. Lateral moves into specialized risk management or sustainable product development are also highly plausible career paths.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will interact daily with internal business units across UBB and other KBC entities, such as credit risk, product development, and marketing. These interactions focus on aligning their activities with the broader sustainability strategy. Externally, you will engage with industry organizations, regulatory bodies, and strategic partners. You also support the relationship with corporate clients by helping translate their ESG data into meaningful insights for the bank's reporting and risk assessments.

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