Head of Sustainability

Transamerica•New York, NY

12d•$350,000 - $380,000•Onsite

About The Position

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.

Requirements

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.

Nice To Haves

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.

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.

Benefits

Competitive Pay
Bonus for Eligible Employees
Pension Plan
401k Match
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Tuition Reimbursement
Disability Insurance
Medical Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Employee Discounts
Career Training & Development Opportunities
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