Senior Sustainability Counsel

Apple•Cupertino, CA

About The Position

Imagine what you could do here. At Apple, new ideas have a way of becoming great products, services, and customer experiences very quickly. Bring passion and dedication to your job, and there's no telling what you could accomplish. Do you love tackling big challenges without precedent? Do you possess a deep knowledge of the legal field and a passion for innovation? As a part of Apple's Legal department, you'll help uphold Apple's high ethical and corporate standards. Working for a company that invents entire categories and industries means you'll be challenged to creatively apply your deep legal expertise to rare and often unexplored aspects of the law. We have a new opportunity for a talented senior lawyer to join our dynamic and experienced Corporate Law team, working at the forefront of global sustainability reporting and corporate governance.

Requirements

At least 7 years of experience in corporate law and governance with 4+ years in sustainability reporting at a major law firm, in-house, or a regulatory authority
Substantive, hands-on experience applying CSRD/ESRS, ISSB Sustainability Disclosure Standards, and TCFD-aligned reporting requirements in practice
Familiarity with double materiality assessment methodology and third-party assurance processes for sustainability data
Proven track record tracking global regulatory change and delivering strategic legal advice and briefings to senior leadership
Strong analytical capability with attention to detail
Excellent writing, communication, and presentation skills
Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet strict deadlines in a fast-paced environment, and coordinate cross-functional initiatives
JD or equivalent and admission to at least one US state bar.

Nice To Haves

Combination of prior law firm and in-house experience a plus but not required
Experience building or significantly maturing a compliance process or program from the ground up
Awareness of emerging U.S. state-level climate disclosure requirements and the EU Taxonomy Regulation
Self-starter who takes ownership without needing detailed direction and enjoys working through ambiguity
Experience quickly issue-spotting complex legal questions and communicating clear advice to non-legal audiences
Strong collaboration skills to work across business functions and geographies, including partnering with assurance and sustainability program teams
Experience directing and managing outside counsel across multiple jurisdictions
Curious and comfortable with technology; experience piloting or scaling AI-powered tools to support regulatory tracking or compliance workflows a plus

Responsibilities

Shape and lead Apple's approach to sustainability-related reporting, with particular depth in the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and related European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS), IFRS/ISSB Sustainability Disclosure Standards, and TCFD-aligned reporting.
Advise on adjacent and emerging regimes, including the EU Taxonomy Regulation and U.S. state climate disclosure laws such as California's SB 253 and SB 261.
Design and stand up the compliance processes and internal playbooks that turn new regulatory requirements into a program the business can actually run.
Prepare clear, actionable briefings for leadership.
Advise effectively on disclosure requirements, with a working understanding of the programs that generate underlying sustainability data, including materiality assessment processes and assurance readiness.
Direct and manage outside counsel across multiple jurisdictions, serving as the primary point of contact and ensuring their work is well-coordinated with Apple's internal priorities and processes.
Operate as part of a collaborative global team, translating complex legal requirements into practical guidance for business partners.
Help identify opportunities to leverage AI and other emerging tools to track regulatory developments and streamline compliance processes.
Partner closely with Finance and Compliance and Apple’s Values teams on materiality assessments, data governance, and assurance readiness.
Partner effectively across legal teams and with business units in multiple regions and time zones.