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Manager Sustainability Governance

Philip Morris International • Portugal • Added on May 10, 2026
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You’d run the governance machinery that makes PMI’s sustainability strategy real — coordinating cross-functional committees, managing the planning cycles where sustainability targets get embedded into business unit OGSMs, and ensuring that commitments made at the executive level are tracked and actioned across global markets.

This is a role where strategy meets operations: PMI is undergoing one of the more ambitious corporate transformations in the consumer goods sector, pivoting away from cigarettes entirely, and the governance structures you maintain are what connect that ambition to the day-to-day decisions of hundreds of teams worldwide.

This suits a project or programme manager with 4–6 years of experience who has worked in a large multinational, understands how to make complex governance run smoothly, and is intellectually curious about corporate transformation at scale.

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What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The Sustainability Governance Manager is responsible for operationalizing the sustainability strategy cycle across PMI’s global functions and markets. This involves acting as a high-level project manager to ensure that sustainability goals are not just abstract concepts but are embedded into business planning (OGSM) and day-to-day operational decision-making processes.You will be tasked with maintaining and refining the cross-functional governance structures, which includes organizing high-stakes sustainability committees and ensuring that decisions made at the executive level are effectively cascaded and tracked. A critical mission is to bridge the gap between corporate sustainability targets and the practical execution within diverse market levels, ensuring aligned and measurable progress globally.

Key learning opportunities for this job

This role offers a unique opportunity to learn how a multi-national giant manages a total business transformation through the lens of sustainability. You will gain deep expertise in integrated governance frameworks, learning how to weave ESG metrics into traditional financial and operational business reviews, which is a highly sought-after skill in the current market.Furthermore, you will likely benefit from exposure to PMI’s sophisticated internal strategy methodologies and complex stakeholder management across different legal jurisdictions and business units. Dealing with the transition from a tobacco-based to a smoke-free and wellness-focused company provides a masterclass in corporate evolution and the strategic role of governance under intense public and regulatory scrutiny.

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

The ideal candidate likely possesses a strong background in Finance or Project Management, coupled with at least 3 years of corporate experience where they’ve navigated complex, matrixed organizations. They should demonstrate an advanced understanding of ESG frameworks and how they intersect with corporate risk and performance management, specifically within the context of PMI’s unique 'Smoke-Free' strategy.Technical proficiency in strategic planning cycles and governance software is crucial, but soft skills are equally important. PMI looks for someone with high agility and interpersonal savvy who can influence senior leaders and facilitate alignment among diverse teams without necessarily having direct authority over them.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, your application should demonstrate a strong grip on the 'Statement of Purpose' and PMI’s specific sustainability materialities. Instead of generic ESG talk, focus your cover letter on how you have previously integrated sustainability into core business KPIs or financial reporting cycles, as the requirement for a Finance or Project Management degree suggests they value 'hard' governance over 'soft' advocacy.During interviews, emphasize your ability to manage ambiguity and complex internal politics. Provide specific examples where you have successfully reconciled conflicting interests between corporate sustainability mandates and market-level operational realities. Showing that you understand the functional connectivity required to move a 70,000-person organization will position you as the 'integrator' they are looking for.

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

This role will likely focus heavily on the Product Transformation and Social impact aspects of PMI’s sustainability strategy. Given the company's focus on a 'Smoke-Free Future,' the governance manager must ensure that sustainability targets related to reducing the health impact of products are being tracked and prioritized across all business units.Additionally, there will likely be a strong emphasis on ESG Reporting and Accountability. This involves ensuring that the data flows from various markets are robust enough to meet increasing regulatory demands such as CSRD, while also maintaining the integrity of PMI’s Sustainability Index used for executive compensation and strategic decision-making.

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

The primary challenge will likely be overcoming organizational inertia or competing priorities in localized markets where sustainability might be seen as secondary to immediate sales targets. Reconciling the long-term nature of ESG goals with the quarterly pressures of a publicly traded consumer goods company requires significant diplomatic skill and persistence.Another challenge could be the complexity of the data and reporting lines. Ensuring consistent messaging and data accuracy across 97+ markets with varying levels of maturity in sustainability reporting can be a logistical hurdle, especially when translating high-level Executive Board decisions into actionable local tasks.

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

A typical day might start with a coordination meeting with the Head of Sustainability to align on board-level feedback, followed by a working session with the Finance team to integrate ESG KPIs into the next business planning cycle. You might then spend time reviewing minutes and action logs from a recent Sustainability Committee meeting, ensuring that cross-functional leaders are held accountable for their deliverables.In the afternoon, you could be facilitating a workshop with market-level sustainability leads in Poland or Portugal to gather feedback on new governance processes. The day might end with data analysis or project management tasks, ensuring that the 'OGSM' (Objectives, Goals, Strategies, and Measures) framework reflects the most current sustainability strategy updates.

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

This position is a strategic springboard into higher leadership roles within Sustainability, Corporate Strategy, or Finance. Because you are sitting at the intersection of governance and executive decision-making, you will gain the high-level visibility required for rapid career advancement within PMI's 'Global Top Employer' ecosystem.There is significant potential to transition into Global Head of Sustainability roles or Senior Strategy positions, as you will have mastered the art of large-scale organizational transformation. The exposure to diverse functions—from life sciences to supply chain—allows for lateral movements into specialized ESG domains or broader business leadership roles.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will regularly interact with Senior Leadership and Executive Decision-makers, acting as a liaison between their strategic vision and operational reality. You will also work closely with Function Heads (Finance, Operations, R&D) to ensure their specific departments are meeting sustainability milestones.Other key stakeholders include Market-level Sustainability Teams across different regions, the Corporate Communications department for aligned messaging, and Internal Audit/Compliance teams to ensure governance structures meet regulatory and internal standards. This role is a 'spider in the web' connecting the ground-level execution with the highest levels of corporate power.

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