Vice President, Sustainability Full Time NEW

Vice President, Sustainability

Industry

Energy / Manufacturing / Technology / Healthcare / Consumer Goods / Financial Services / Corporate Enterprises

Department

Sustainability / ESG (Environmental, Social & Governance) / Corporate Strategy / Executive Leadership

Reports To

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) / Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) / Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Job Summary

The Vice President of Sustainability is a senior executive responsible for developing and leading enterprise-wide sustainability, ESG, environmental responsibility, and corporate social impact strategies. This role oversees initiatives focused on carbon reduction, renewable energy adoption, environmental compliance, sustainable operations, climate risk management, and long-term sustainability performance.

The VP of Sustainability collaborates with executive leadership, operations, finance, legal, supply chain, engineering, and external stakeholders to integrate sustainability goals into business operations while supporting regulatory compliance, investor expectations, and corporate growth objectives.

Key ResponsibilitiesSustainability Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and execute enterprise-wide sustainability and ESG strategies.
• Establish long-term environmental and sustainability goals aligned with corporate objectives.
• Lead climate action, carbon reduction, and net-zero initiatives.
• Integrate sustainability principles into operational and business decision-making.
• Promote a culture of environmental responsibility and sustainable business practices.

ESG & Corporate Responsibility

• Oversee ESG reporting, disclosures, and sustainability performance metrics.
• Ensure compliance with environmental regulations, sustainability standards, and reporting frameworks.
• Manage corporate social responsibility (CSR) and environmental stewardship initiatives.
• Support sustainability ratings, audits, and investor ESG requirements.
• Collaborate with legal and compliance teams on sustainability governance.

Environmental & Climate Initiatives

• Lead programs focused on greenhouse gas reduction, energy efficiency, renewable energy, and waste reduction.
• Develop strategies for water conservation, recycling, sustainable sourcing, and resource management.
• Monitor climate-related risks and environmental impact assessments.
• Support sustainable supply chain and operational improvement initiatives.
• Implement sustainability performance tracking systems and dashboards.

Operational Sustainability

• Partner with operations and engineering teams to improve environmental performance.
• Support implementation of green technologies and clean energy solutions.
• Promote sustainable manufacturing, logistics, and facility management practices.
• Improve operational efficiency through sustainability-driven innovation.
• Lead initiatives related to circular economy and sustainable product lifecycle management.

Financial & Strategic Planning

• Develop sustainability business cases and ROI analyses for environmental projects.
• Support green financing, sustainability investments, and ESG-related initiatives.
• Monitor sustainability budgets and project performance.
• Evaluate environmental risks and opportunities impacting long-term business growth.
• Align sustainability programs with enterprise strategic planning.

Stakeholder & Investor Engagement

• Collaborate with investors, regulatory agencies, customers, suppliers, and community organizations.
• Represent the company at sustainability conferences, ESG forums, and industry events.
• Prepare executive presentations and board-level sustainability reports.
• Strengthen the company’s public sustainability reputation and ESG positioning.
• Support sustainability communications and public reporting initiatives.

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead sustainability managers, ESG analysts, environmental specialists, and cross-functional teams.
• Build sustainability awareness and training programs across the organization.
• Foster collaboration between sustainability and operational departments.
• Mentor future sustainability leaders and support talent development initiatives.
• Promote innovation and accountability within sustainability programs.

QualificationsEducation

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Sustainability, Engineering, Business Administration, Public Policy, or related field required.
• Master’s degree or MBA preferred.

Experience

• 15–20+ years of experience in sustainability, ESG, environmental management, corporate strategy, or operational leadership.
• Executive leadership experience managing enterprise sustainability initiatives preferred.
• Strong understanding of climate policy, ESG frameworks, environmental regulations, and sustainable business practices.
• Experience with corporate sustainability reporting and environmental compliance programs.

Preferred Skills

• ESG strategy and sustainability leadership
• Environmental compliance and climate risk management
• Carbon reduction and renewable energy knowledge
• Strategic planning and operational integration
• Stakeholder and investor engagement
• Financial analysis and sustainability ROI evaluation
• Leadership and cross-functional collaboration
• Strong communication and executive presentation abilities

Certifications (Preferred)

• LEED Accreditation
• Sustainability Excellence Certifications
• Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Reporting Knowledge
• Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) Framework Experience
• Project Management Professional (PMP)

Work Environment

• Executive corporate office or hybrid work environment.
• Frequent collaboration with executive leadership, investors, operational teams, and regulatory stakeholders.
• Domestic and international travel may be required for conferences, facility visits, and stakeholder meetings.

Salary Range (United States)

• Typically ranges from $220,000 to $450,000+ annually
• Compensation packages may include:
• Executive bonuses
• Stock options or equity
• Long-term incentive plans (LTI)
• Profit-sharing
• Executive benefits packages

Common Industry Titles

• VP of Sustainability
• Vice President, ESG
• Vice President, Environmental Strategy
• VP of Corporate Sustainability
• Vice President, Climate Strategy
• Head of Sustainability
• Executive Director of Sustainability

Typical Employers

• Energy & Utility Companies
• Manufacturing Corporations
• Technology Companies
• Consumer Goods Enterprises
• Financial Services Firms
• Healthcare Organizations
• Renewable Energy Developers
• Global Supply Chain Companies
• Real Estate & Construction Firms
• Multinational Corporations