Head of Sustainability

Job Family

Corporate Development, Strategy and Sustainability

About Us 

At Transamerica, hard work, innovative thinking, and personal accountability are qualities we honor and reward. We understand the potential of leveraging the talents of a diverse workforce. We embrace an environment where employees enjoy a balance between their careers, families, communities, and personal interests.  

Ultimately, we appreciate the uniqueness of a company where talented professionals work collaboratively in a positive environment — one focused on helping people look forward and plan for the best life possible while providing tools and solutions that make it easier to get there. 

Who We Are 

We believe everyone deserves to live their best life. More than a century ago, we were among the first financial services companies in America to serve everyday people from all walks of life.  

Today, we’re part of an international holding company, with millions of customers and thousands of employees worldwide. Our insurance, retirement, and investment solutions help people make the most of what’s important to them. 

We’re empowered by a vast agent network covering North America, with diversity to match. Together with our nonprofit research institute and foundation, we tune in, step up, and are a force for good — for our customers and the communities where we live, work, and play. United in our purpose, we help people create the financial freedom to live life on their terms. 

What We Do 

Transamerica is organized into three distinct businesses. These include 1) World Financial Group, including Transamerica Financial Advisors, 2) Protection Solutions and Savings & Investments, comprised of life insurance, annuities, employee benefits, retirement plans, and Transamerica Investment Solutions, and 3) Financial Assets, which includes legacy blocks of long term care, universal life, and variable and fixed annuities. These are supported by Transamerica Corporate, which includes Finance, People and Places, General Counsel, Risk, Internal Audit, Strategy and Development, and Corporate Affairs, which covers Communications, Brand, and Government and Policy Affairs. 

Transamerica employs nearly 7,000 people. It’s part of Aegon, an integrated, diversified, international financial services group serving approximately 23.9 million customers worldwide.* For more information, visit transamerica.com.  

Job Description Summary

This role leads the global Corporate Sustainability function and reports into the Chief Legal & Corporate Affairs Officer. The role advises Executive Committee, Board, and business unit leaders. It defines the sustainability strategy, strengthens governance, and builds credibility with investors, regulators, customers, nongovernmental organizations, and other stakeholders.

The role evaluates the current sustainability framework and defines the future agenda, including sustainability commitments, climate strategy, responsible investment priorities, regulatory compliance, and evolving stakeholder expectations.

Job Description

Head of Sustainability

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the global sustainability strategy and three-year strategy cycle, including establishing the company’s 2030 sustainability priorities in partnership with relevant functions and conducting an annual review of the global sustainability landscape and regulatory developments.
• Lead sustainability governance and oversight, including the Group wide sustainability oversight body, and provide clear reporting to the Board of Directors.
• Align the sustainability agenda with the Group’s global strategy, including climate related commitments, responsible investment ambitions, and evolving regulatory expectations in the United States and European Union.
• Ensure ongoing compliance with applicable United States regulations and the European Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive, including the double materiality assessment, the sustainability statement, required disclosures, and related limited assurance from the external auditor.
• Oversee annual reporting and disclosure activities under relevant frameworks, including European Sustainability Reporting Standards, National Association of Insurance Commissioners Climate Risk Disclosure, Securities and Exchange Commission requirements, Carbon Disclosure Project climate disclosures, and other applicable standards.
• Maintain sustainability data governance, internal controls, audit readiness, and assurance processes for nonfinancial sustainability metrics, including coordination of external assurance activities.
• Oversee measurement, validation, and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions, including Scope 1, Scope 2, operational Scope 3, and financed emissions data where applicable.
• Serve as a strategic advisor and thought partner to the Board of Directors, Chief Legal & Corporate Affairs Officer, Executive Committee, and business unit chief executive officers, building internal commitment and external credibility.
• Ensure the global Environmental and Responsible Investment policies reflect emerging leading practices and regulatory expectations. Partner with Investments and Investor Relations to maintain responsible investment guidelines, screening approaches, engagement practices, and exclusion policies.
• Monitor emerging sustainability regulation, voluntary standards, climate commitments, and reporting frameworks across United States federal and state contexts while maintaining
• appropriate awareness of relevant global standard setters.
• Oversee sustainability memberships and signatory commitments, including the United Nations Global Compact, Principles for Sustainable Insurance, Principles for Responsible Investment, and Net Zero Asset Owner Alliance.
• Oversee the completeness and quality of submissions to sustainability benchmarks and rating agencies, including MSCI, Sustainalytics, Institutional Shareholder Services, S&P Global, and Carbon Disclosure Project.
• Strengthen internal engagement on sustainability and prepare for investor meetings and nongovernmental organization engagements. Serve as a senior spokesperson with investors, regulators, suppliers, clients, and other key stakeholder groups.
• Collaborate across Finance, Investments, business operations, Risk, Legal, Compliance, Corporate Affairs, and Government and Policy Affairs to support execution, policy alignment, climate risk integration, and public statements.
• Oversee sustainability data management tools, reporting process improvements, benchmark submissions, rating agency responses, and related governance processes.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, communications, public policy, finance, environmental science, sustainability, or related field.
• 15+ years of experience in sustainability, corporate strategy, corporate affairs, or related field.
• 3+ years of experience in financial services, insurance, asset management, or related regulated industry.
• Experience operating in a global organization and leading, cross-border sustainability programs, with demonstrated ability to adapt global and EU-centric requirements into a U.S. business, regulatory, and stakeholder context.
• Proven ability to balance global sustainability priorities with U.S. regulatory, commercial, governance, and reputational requirements.
• Strong understanding of sustainability regulation and standards.
• Relevant sustainability, climate, responsible investment, or reporting certification.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in business, public policy, environmental science, finance, sustainability, or related field.
• Experience with sustainability benchmarks, rating agencies, and submissions such as Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI), Sustainalytics, Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS), S&P Global, and Carbon Disclosure Project.
• Experience managing sustainability memberships and signatory commitments, including the United Nations Global Compact, Principles for Sustainable Insurance, Principles for Responsible Investment, and Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance.

Key Competencies

• Executive presence and organizational savvy, with experience engaging with boards of directors, senior executives, investors, regulators, suppliers, clients, nongovernmental organizations, and other external stakeholders.
• Ability to translate sustainability, regulatory, climate, and financial data into clear narratives, executive materials, and actionable business strategies.
• Strong communication, influencing and stakeholder management skills.
• Proficiency with sustainability reporting systems, data management tools, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
• Self-starter with a proactive, results-oriented approach and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.

Working Environment

Location: New York City, New York (Office)

• Work outside of regular business hours may be required to support board meetings, annual general meetings, governance calendars, filings, and other time sensitive requirements.
• Working Conditions are designated at the job level; however, the company reserves the right to adjust working conditions on an individual employee basis as needed to support business requirements.
• Travel Requirements Estimate: Occasional <10%
• Travel to support board meetings & annual general meetings as needed.

Compensation

The Salary for this position generally ranges between $350,000 and $380,000 annually. Please note that the salary range is a good faith estimate for this position and actual starting pay is determined by several factors including qualifications, experience, geography, work location and operational needs. Salary may vary above and below the stated amounts, as permitted by applicable law.

Additionally, this position is typically eligible for an Annual Bonus based on the Company Bonus Plan/Individual Performance and is at the Company’s discretion.

Applicants must possess legal authorization to work for our company in the U.S. without the need for immigration sponsorship or otherwise serving as an employer of record for immigration employment purposes. At this time, this role is not eligible for immigration-related employment authorization sponsorship.

This job description is not a contract of employment nor for any specific job responsibilities. The Company may change, add to, remove, or revoke the terms of this job description at its discretion. Managers may assign other duties and responsibilities as needed. In the event an employee or applicant requests or requires an accommodation to perform job functions, the applicable HR Business Partner should be contacted to evaluate the accommodation request.

Disclaimer

Beware of fake job offers!

We’ve been alerted to scammers impersonating Transamerica recruiters, particularly for remote positions.

Please note:

We will never request personal information such as ID or payment for equipment upfront.

Official offers are sent via DocuSign following a verbal offer—not through text or email.

What We Offer  

For eligible employees, we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support both the personal and financial well-being of our employees. 

Compensation Benefits 

• Competitive Pay 

• Bonus for Eligible Employees 

Benefits Package 

• Pension Plan 

• 401k Match

• Employee Stock Purchase Plan

• Tuition Reimbursement

• Disability Insurance

• Medical Insurance

• Dental Insurance

• Vision Insurance

• Employee Discounts

• Career Training & Development Opportunities

Health and Work/Life Balance Benefits 

• Paid Time Off starting at 160 hours annually for employees in their first year of service.

• Ten (10) paid holidays per year (typically mirroring the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) holidays).

• Be Well Company holistic wellness program, which includes Wellness Coaching and Reward Dollars 

• Parental Leave – fifteen (15) days of paid parental leave per calendar year to eligible employees with at least one year of service at the time of birth, placement of an adopted child, or placement of a foster care child.

• Adoption Assistance

• Employee Assistance Program

• Back-Up Care Program

• PTO for Volunteer Hours

• Employee Matching Gifts Program

• Employee Resource Groups

• Inclusion and Diversity Programs

• Employee Recognition Program

• Referral Bonus Programs

Inclusion & Diversity  

We believe our commitment to diversity and inclusion creates a work environment filled with exceptional individuals. We’re thrilled to have been recognized for our efforts through the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index, Dave Thomas Adoption Friendly Advocate, and several Seramount lists, including the Inclusion Index, 100 Best Companies for Working Parents, Best Companies for Dads, and Top 75 Companies for Executive Women. 

To foster a culture of inclusivity throughout our workforce, workplace, and marketplace, Transamerica offers a wide range of diversity and inclusion programs. This includes our company-sponsored, employee-driven Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), which are formed around a shared interest or a common characteristic of diversity. ERGs are open to all employees. They provide a supportive environment to help us better appreciate our similarities and differences and understand how they benefit us all. 

Giving Back  

We believe our responsibilities extend beyond our corporate walls. That's why we created the Aegon Transamerica Foundation in 1994. Through a mix of financial grants and the volunteer efforts of our employees, the foundation supports nonprofit organizations focused on the things that matter most to our people in the communities where we live and work.     

Transamerica’s Parent Company  

Aegon acquired the Transamerica business in 1999. Since its start in 1844, Aegon has  grown into an international company serving more than 23.9 million people across the globe.* It offers investment, protection, and retirement solutions, always with a clear purpose: Helping people live their best lives. As a leading global investor and employer, the company seeks to have a positive impact by addressing critical environmental and societal issues, with a focus on climate change and inclusion and diversity.   

* As of December 31, 2023