Senior Sustainability Counsel

Apple•Cupertino, CA

About The Position

This role is for a talented senior lawyer to join Apple's Corporate Law team, working at the forefront of global sustainability reporting and corporate governance. The position involves shaping and leading Apple's approach to sustainability-related reporting, with a focus on EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and related European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS), IFRS/ISSB Sustainability Disclosure Standards, and TCFD-aligned reporting. The role also includes advising on emerging regimes like the EU Taxonomy Regulation and U.S. state climate disclosure laws. The ideal candidate will enjoy building compliance processes and internal playbooks, preparing clear briefings for leadership, and understanding the programs that generate sustainability data. Responsibilities include directing and managing outside counsel across multiple jurisdictions and serving as the primary point of contact. The role requires a self-directed individual comfortable defining approaches in new areas, setting priorities independently, and driving work forward with minimal oversight. Collaboration with a global team, translating complex legal requirements into practical guidance, and identifying opportunities to leverage AI for regulatory tracking and compliance are key aspects. This role involves cross-functional partnerships with Finance, Compliance, and Apple’s Values teams on materiality assessments, data governance, and assurance readiness. The ability to thrive in a dynamic environment and partner effectively across legal teams and business units in multiple regions and time zones is essential.

Requirements

At least 7 years of experience in corporate law and governance.
At least 4 years of experience 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.
Advise on global sustainability reporting standards including CSRD/ESRS, ISSB, and TCFD.
Advise on emerging regulatory regimes such as the EU Taxonomy Regulation and U.S. state climate disclosure laws.
Design and implement compliance processes and internal playbooks for new regulatory requirements.
Prepare clear, actionable briefings for leadership.
Advise on materiality assessment processes and assurance readiness for sustainability data.
Direct and manage outside counsel across multiple jurisdictions.
Serve as the primary point of contact for outside counsel, ensuring coordination with internal priorities.
Translate complex legal requirements into practical guidance for business partners.
Identify opportunities to leverage AI and other emerging tools for regulatory tracking and compliance.
Partner with Finance, Compliance, and Apple’s Values teams on materiality assessments, data governance, and assurance readiness.
Collaborate effectively across legal teams and with business units in multiple regions and time zones.