Director, Sustainability Performance

Job Title: Director, Sustainability Performance

Location: Central Europe (flexible within region)

Overview:

A leading global science-driven innovator in health, nutrition, and beauty is seeking a highly capable Director of Sustainability Performance to help shape and operationalise the company’s next-generation sustainability agenda. This newly created role will be pivotal in building the foundation for rigorous performance measurement, management, and value creation across the business.

Working directly with a Global VP, the Director will be responsible for defining what sustainability performance truly means for the company—developing a measurement framework, establishing metrics, and leading the implementation of tools and processes that bring strategy to life. The ideal candidate will blend strategic thinking with hands-on delivery and bring deep expertise in sustainability risk, ESG performance, and data-driven decision-making.

Key Responsibilities:

• Define and Lead Sustainability Performance Frameworks: Develop the company’s approach to sustainability performance measurement, aligning with both internal priorities and external reporting requirements (e.g., CSRD, ISSB, TCFD).
• Implement Systems and Processes: Design and roll out fit-for-purpose performance tracking tools, processes, and governance mechanisms to monitor and report progress against sustainability goals.
• Quantify Risk and Value Creation: Lead initiatives to model and quantify ESG risks—particularly climate and supply chain-related—and embed these insights into business decision-making and strategy.
• Support Executive Decision-Making: Translate complex sustainability data into actionable insights and recommendations for senior leadership, contributing to broader enterprise value creation.
• Drive Reporting and Compliance: Ensure high-quality, audit-ready sustainability disclosures and performance data in compliance with evolving regulatory and stakeholder expectations.
• Collaborate Cross-Functionally: Act as a connector across sustainability, finance, operations, procurement, and investor relations to ensure integrated, organisation-wide performance management.
• Stay Ahead of the Curve: Monitor emerging trends in ESG valuation, sustainability finance, and regulatory developments to ensure the company maintains leadership and relevance.

Profile of the Ideal Candidate:

• 10+ years of progressive experience in sustainability strategy, ESG performance management, or related roles.
• Strong background in quantitative analysis of sustainability-related risks (e.g., climate modelling, supply chain resilience, ESG valuation).
• Experience in private equity, investment management, or capital markets settings strongly preferred; a commercial mindset is essential.
• Deep understanding of global ESG frameworks and reporting standards (e.g., GRI, SASB, CSRD, TCFD, ISSB).
• Proven ability to lead and implement complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives from strategy to execution.
• Strong analytical, systems-thinking, and project management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally and influence without authority.
• Based in Central Europe, with flexibility for hybrid/remote work and travel as needed.

Why Join:

This is a rare opportunity to join a purpose-driven, science-based global leader at a transformative moment for its sustainability agenda. The successful candidate will play a key role in operationalising sustainability as a driver of business performance and innovation—helping to create measurable impact for people, planet, and profit.