Head of Sustainability

Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Job Type: Full-time | Permanent | Hybrid – 3 to 4 days per week on-site at Dubai HQ
Base Salary: AED 500,000 per annum

Job description and role overview

A major financial institution in the UAE is seeking to appoint a forward-thinking Head of Sustainability to lead the strategic integration of ESG and climate priorities across its operations and investment activities. This is a pivotal leadership role for a commercially driven sustainability expert who is passionate about aligning financial systems with long-term environmental and social value.

Reporting to the executive leadership team, the Head of Sustainability will shape and execute a group-wide strategy that drives compliance, innovation, and market differentiation in the rapidly evolving world of sustainable finance. The ideal candidate will bring deep technical knowledge, stakeholder management capabilities, and the ability to translate global sustainability frameworks into regional financial practice. This is a hybrid role based in Dubai, offering both the collaborative benefits of on-site work and flexibility for strategic planning and external engagement.

Key responsibilities

Strategic development: Design and lead the bank’s sustainability roadmap, ensuring alignment with UAE Net Zero 2050, and global regulatory frameworks
Sustainable finance innovation: Collaborate with product, investment, and risk teams to embed ESG in lending portfolios, green bonds, and new financial instruments
ESG governance: Strengthen ESG integration across business units, embedding climate-related risk disclosures (e.g. TCFD, ISSB) and sustainability KPIs
Policy and regulation: Ensure proactive alignment with UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 11 of 2024 and relevant international standards (CSRD, EU Taxonomy, etc.)
Leadership and training: Develop internal capabilities through executive workshops, ESG learning programmes, and board-level reporting
Stakeholder engagement: Act as the primary liaison for regulators, investors, ratings agencies, and government-led sustainability initiatives
Reporting and assurance: Oversee ESG data collection, sustainability reporting, and third-party assurance processes in line with industry best practice
Innovation and partnerships: Build collaborative relationships with fintech, think tanks, and ESG consultancies to accelerate low-carbon banking transformation

Qualifications

A minimum of 10 years’ experience in ESG, sustainability strategy, or sustainable finance, preferably within the banking or financial services sector
Strong familiarity with global sustainability reporting standards and ESG integration models
Demonstrated success in implementing organisation-wide sustainability or impact strategies
Excellent communication and stakeholder influence skills across all levels of leadership
Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies, Economics, Finance, or a related field; Master’s degree or MBA preferred
Regional knowledge of GCC climate policy and regulatory context is a strong advantage
ESG-related certifications (e.g. CFA ESG, GARP SCR, SASB FSA) are highly desirable

What the organisation offers

Executive leadership position at a respected UAE-based banking group with regional impact
Direct influence on the bank’s long-term ESG strategy, product innovation, and market positioning
Highly collaborative and forward-thinking working environment
Access to national and global sustainability forums and regulatory engagement platforms
Structured professional development, international training, and executive mentoring
Attractive compensation package and expatriate benefits
Hybrid work model for flexibility, performance, and productivity
AED 500,000 annually
(Inclusive of base salary; relocation support, education allowance, and performance bonuses may apply based on seniority)

Are you ready to lead sustainability in one of the most dynamic financial markets in the world?

Apply now or explore more head of sustainability job opportunities.

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