Senior Strategist & Sustainability Manager: Group Strategy at Nedbank

Job Responsibilities

• To be instrumental in leading the development and implementation of the bank’s strategic intent to be a Purpose-led organisation and lead in sustainability matters through:

Research and Analysis: 

• Keeping abreast of global and local systemic thinking and sustainable development trends.
• Developing strategies to ensure the bank appropriately aligns with or responds to these trends.
• Evaluating strategic threats and opportunities through a Purpose and ESG lens.
• Conduct market analysis to identify opportunities for new sustainable financial products and services, ensuring they meet client needs and regulatory requirements.

Tracking and Measurement:

• Tracking progress and implementation of the Purpose fulfilment/ESG strategy and identify execution risks and propose remedial actions.
• Develop and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the effectiveness of sustainability initiatives and report progress to senior management

Communication and Engagement: 

• Working closely with frontline teams, and where required clients. to understand their sustainability goals and provide tailored solutions that align with their financial and sustainability objectives.
• Advising internal frontline teams, and where required, clients on sustainability strategies, products and services, ESG integration, and best practice.
• Provide technical guidance on sustainability-related projects such as financed emissions, energy efficiency, carbon footprint reduction, and sustainable finance initiatives.
• Collaborate with the risk team to integrate climate and nature considerations into daily operations and credit committees etc.
• Sharing innovative insights and critical thinking which constructively challenge business and assist in driving change.
• Representing Nedbank on relevant external bodies.

Reporting:

• Managing ESG disclosure approach and delivery, working closely with Group Finance and other internal teams to provide best-in-class disclosures and reporting where required.
• Reporting on key strategic outcomes/results to various stakeholders (staff; stakeholders; clients and communities) through reports and presentations. 
• Leveraging technology and digital tools to enhance the bank's sustainability efforts, including the use of sustainability management software and data visualization tools.
• Utilizing data analytics to assess and report on the bank's sustainability performance, identifying trends and areas for improvement

Training: 

• Building and delivering Purpose-led & ESG related training and education programs for the leadership and for staff to promote sustainable development knowledge.

General:

• Implementing and coordinating special cross-cutting projects for Nedbank Group Executive Committee as required.
• Contributing to a culture conducive to the achievement of transformation goals by participating in Nedbank Culture building initiatives.
• Seeking opportunities to improve business processes; models and systems by identifying and recommending effective ways to operate and adding value to Nedbank.

People Specification

Essential Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree Business Administration, Finance, Economics, Science, Environmental Management or any other related business or science field.

Preferred Qualification

• Post Graduate qualification in relevant field such as environmental management, finance or economics.

Minimum Experience Level

• Extensive professional experience (7-10 years); including experience in financial services or strategy consulting organisation; or experience in ESG in a global organization preferred.
• Position with ESG reporting within a large global corporate, and/ or ESG reporting advisory experience for an accounting firm or a consulting practice.