Chief Sustainability Officer, VP ESG

Please note this is a hybrid role located in a North-Central US city.

Acre is proud to partner with a Fortune 500 company to help identify their next VP, ESG & Chief Sustainability Officer. Our client is a global manufacturer headquartered in a major US city in the north-central region with over 5,000 employees supporting operations and commercial sales in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific.

Our client set ambitious sustainability targets and already has a solid foundation to achieve their strategy. Their sustainability goals are integrated into the business operations, governance structure and company culture.

We are seeking a visionary and experienced sustainability leader to:

• Serve as the catalyst that brings the company's current ESG elements together building on a solid foundation.
• Be the ESG champion who frames and positions the company's sustainability story internally and externally.
• Work closely with the ELT to help link ESG initiatives with commercial opportunities globally.
• Be well-resourced and empowered to drive the strategic ESG agenda at scale.

Key Responsibilities

The successful leader in this role will be responsible for the following three key responsibilities:

1. Drive the end-to-end development of the ESG strategy and ensure integration with business, supply chain and corporate strategy including economic analysis, KPI development, quantitative and qualitative assessment and roadmaps.
2. Build existing and new programs that align to the company's strategy and leverage to expand opportunities within the business - these will be in service of employees, suppliers, customers, consumers, and other key stakeholders.
3. Develop internal and external ESG governance and reporting; work collaboratively across brands and functions to track and monitor progress, drive program awareness and communicate results.

In addition to the above, the leader will also:

• Partner with cross-functional business partners to identify opportunities for scaled impact, prioritize focus, and operationalize the solutions that are most impactful to the company and its businesses.
• Identify and deconstruct business issues and develop strategic, analytical, and financial frameworks to evaluate against; communicate via executive-ready content that articulates clear and compelling storylines to drive action.
• Help identify potential external partners to amplify the ESG strategic agenda and manage ongoing relationships.
• Proactively identify and communicate business issues by researching market, competitive, consumer, vendor, NGO, and other relevant trends; and bring recommended best practices in market to the leadership team to inform practices; serving as a thought leader and liaison with business partners and across the company.

Position Requirements

Proven ESG Thought-Leader & Strategist

• >15 years of experience in either strategy consulting, corporate communications, especially investor relations, consulting with demonstrated coverage of ESG issues on behalf of corporate clients. Blue-chip company fundamentals are ideal.
• Broad knowledge and experience around CSR, social impact, sustainability and governance issues.

Strategy-Builder + 'Evangelical' Communication Capabilities

• Experience developing, communicating and rolling out ESG strategy and agenda.
• Proven ability to build scalable ESG programs and policies across an enterprise.
• Experience in strategy to build business case, socialize strategic initiatives, and operationalize across teams.

Business Model Evolution / Transformation

• Experience and proven effectiveness operating in a fast-paced, dynamic, global business environment.
• Experience in supporting business transformation is a plus.

Trusted Advisor as Subject Matter Expert

• Demonstrated horsepower and credibility as a thought partner to a CEO, ELT and/or Board.

Business Acumen

• Exceptional problem-solving and analytical skills; ability to frame new, ambiguous and complex issues; able to generate insight through rigorous analysis and demonstrate thought leadership.
• Strong influence and collaborating skills and ability to work successfully with peers, teams, and C-suite executives in a matrixed organization.
• A business-first mindset, demonstrates understanding of the strategic, operational and financial components of broader business management.

Compensation Package

• Base salary $300,000 - $340,000
• Annual bonus target 40%
• Employee stock purchase program
• Relocation program
• Comprehensive medical insurance, wellness and other benefits
• 401k retirement plan including a generous match
• PTO, holidays and sick time

Next Steps:

If you are interested in pursuing this opportunity, please apply here or email Richard Kent at richard.kent@acre.com.