Sustainability Reporting Director

Job description

Sustainability Reporting Director

The International Standards Group (ISG) is looking for a talented and motivated professional to play a leading role in the development of global guidance, communications and training relating to IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards and European Sustainability Reporting Standards (Sustainability Reporting Standards). You will be a key member of the leadership of the Global Corporate Sustainability Reporting Topic Team (CSRTT), providing direct support to the Chair and Vice Chair of the CSRTT, participating in technical discussions and supporting global leadership in their interactions with the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) and the European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG).

In this position, you will:

• Work with and build relationships with senior leadership around the KPMG global network, including CSRTT leadership and senior country representatives.
• Lead teams to develop comprehensive high-quality publications and guidance
• Enhance the depth and breadth of ISG and KPMG networks’ technical knowledge by being at the forefront of interpreting and applying Sustainability Reporting Standards. 

Role and responsibilities:

• Develop KPMG positions on interpreting and applying Sustainability Reporting Standards
• Remain abreast of sustainability reporting developments and assist with developing and providing feedback to the ISSB and EFRAG
• Contribute to KPMG thought leadership by monitoring sector developments and leading the preparation internal and external communications/publications
• Respond to technical consultations and informal queries from KPMG member firms
• Identify emerging issues, conduct research, perform analysis and develop technical guidance
• Develop/deliver training and review internal/external training materials for technical accuracyWork with subject matter experts on cross cutting issues
• Assist with managing the CSRTT
• Actively direct, supervise and review the work of ISG secondees, contribute to their professional development and serve as a performance manager
• Play an active role in ISG’s management team, including developing strategy, identifying priorities and managing projects through to completion
• Work alongside KPMG’s corporate affairs team to support public policy and thought leadership communications from KPMG’s leadership
• Develop and maintain strong relationships across the KPMG network in audit, assurance and advisory teams to share technical expertise, support aligned messaging and reduce risk of divergent views

Leadership & Management:

• Work with CSRTT leadership to direct, supervise and review the work of a team of experienced senior managers and managers on secondment from KPMG’s global network to ensure timely delivery of various regular and ad-hoc deliverables
• Represent the CSRTT in interactions with senior personnel from KPMG member firms, KPMG international, the large networks, standard setters and regulators on technical and related matters
• Effectively collaborate with leadership and personnel from other global topic teams, communications and other global groups to address cross-cutting issues
• Play an active role in the ISG’s management team, including startegy development, resource management and operations.
• Network and build collaborative relationships with senior leadership across the KPMG global network

Stakeholder Interaction & challenges:

• Prepare and deliver periodic update calls for sustainability reporting leadership of regional/local Departments of Professional
• Practice (DPP) to discuss upcoming sustainability reporting developments (including regulatory developments)
• Facilitate regular dialogues between CSRTT leadership and regional and local DPP contacts to discuss developments and strategy
• Attend as a KPMG representative:
    o    broader panel (global and European calls) 
    o    Large Network meetings
• Contribute as a technical expert by presenting at global, regional and member firm events
• Provide ad-hoc technical assistance via KPMG’s global DPP network, through query responses
• Nature of the challenges and complexities of the role may include:
    o    Identifying and responding to the needs, and managing expectations, of a variety of stakeholders
    o    Timely coordination of projects, queries and formal responses to standard-setting outreach activities by the ISSB and EFRAG, between local teams and professionals based around the network, through to completion
    o    Establishing yourself as a KPMG leader and spokesperson to contribute to the development of comprehensive high-quality publications, guidance and training as part of KPMG’s thought-leadership on Sustainability Reporting Standards

Impact, Risk, Accountability & Governance:

• This is a high-profile global role, with ISG thought leadership used across the global KPMG network by thousands of professionals, as well as by a large external audience
• Our deliverables must be technically accurate, relevant, user focused and timely to support global consistency in interpretation and application by KPMG professionals
• You will play a key role in the development and maintenance of guidance relating to Sustainability Reporting Standards, including ensuring the relevant governance and quality management processes have been appropriately followed

Essential experience

Technical skills and qualifications

• Relevant professional qualification - ACA, ACCA, CPA or a qualification related to sustainability
• Proven technical competence with strong analytical and problem solving skills
• Subject matter expertise in Sustainability Reporting Standards, which may, in addition to IFRS Sustainability Dislcosure Standards and European Sustainability Reporting Standards, include SASB Standards, Global Reporting Initiative, GHG Protocol and others. 

Non-technical skills

• Personal effectiveness - strong organisational skills, ability to successfully manage projects to deadlines (including managing projects in parallel), ability to effectively manage teams and collaborate with others, ability to build and develop networks, a commitment to high performance and continuous improvement
• Strong communication skills – ability to explain complex ideas simply, convey key messages convincingly, experience preparing internal and/or external communications
• The right mindset – can see the big picture whilst giving attention to detail, strategic, ambitious, enthusiastic, able to look at issues from different angles and bring fresh thinking 
• Commitment to building the reputation of KPMG through quality of work, knowledge and experience

Experience 

• Experience in a senior technical role – e.g. Department of Professional Practice, sustainability advisory, assurance engagement support, standard setter
• Work experience applying knowledge of sustainability reporting frameworks
• Working with and supporting senior leadership
• Preparing formal communications and materials for internal or external purposes
• Experience managing people and successfully delivering projects through to completion on time

KPMG Overview

KPMG's International Standards Group, part of KPMG IFRG Limited, exists to help KPMG member firms and their clients to implement international standards. ISG operates through geographically distributed topic teams and working groups, coordinated by a team based in London, from KPMG in the UK’s Headquarters. 
We develop guidance on the interpretation and application of international standards, including accounting, corporate and sustainability reporting standards. In addition, ISG monitors, reports, and provides feedback to international standard setters and global regulatory bodies. We also provide technical support to KPMG member firms in relation to complex accounting matters and work to support and strengthen the DPP network.

KPMG refers to the global organization or to one or more of the member firms of KPMG International Limited (“KPMG International”), each of which is a separate legal entity. KPMG International Limited is a private English company limited by guarantee and does not provide services to clients. For more detail about their structure please visit https://home.kpmg/governance.