ESG Controller

About Northern Trust:
Northern Trust, a Fortune 500 company, is a globally recognized, award-winning financial institution that has been in continuous operation since 1889.
Northern Trust is proud to provide innovative financial services and guidance to the world's most successful individuals, families, and institutions by remaining true to our enduring principles of service, expertise, and integrity. With more than 130 years of financial experience and over 22,000 partners, we serve the world's most sophisticated clients using leading technology and exceptional service.
Northern Trust is seeking a Controller of Environmental, Social, and Governance ("ESG"). This will be a newly created position within the Corporate Controllers Department, reporting directly to the Head of Corporate Accounting & External Reporting. The role has direct responsibility for ensuring that all ESG, but especially climate related reports, for the Corporation and its international subsidiaries are prepared in compliance with the respective reporting frameworks and requirements, and submitted on a timely basis, completely and accurately. The initial focus of the role is the development and implementation of Northern Trust's global climate reporting strategy, respective roadmap, a climate management, and Greenhouse Gas ("GHG") reporting platform, and related process and controls environment. In addition, the individual will oversee the establishment of Northern Trust's GHG accounting methodology, especially as it relates to the calculation of Scope 3 - Financed Emissions. The successful individual will be supported by partners from Northern Trust's ESG Finance team.
The Key responsibilities of the role include:
Leadership and Management
• Actively engage in the hiring process of members for the ESG Finance Team, who will report directly to the ESG Controller.
• Provide leadership and guidance to the planning, organization, direction, and control of the ESG Finance team (3-5 Full Time Employees).
• Work closely with the Head of Corporate Accounting and External Reporting to continue to develop and build the team structure required to support the expanding and increasingly complex ESG reporting requirements.
• Set clear and measurable goals and objectives for the team and individuals, ensuring performance assessments are completed in line with corporate requirements.
• Partner with CSISI to present in regular cadence to Northern Trust's Disclosure Committee, Executive Management, and the Board of Directors, as appropriate, about the status of the implementation project as well as newly released ESG reporting requirements.
Operational
• Lead the development and implementation of Northern Trust's ESG financial reporting, especially climate reporting strategy, and develop reports in line with applicable regulations and frameworks for all relevant local entities and the Corporation.
• Lead the implementation of a global GHG Accounting Platform including the collection of requirements and vendor assessment.
• Oversee the process for the current reporting of Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emission, as well as the development and establishment of a Scope 3 roadmap and required calculation methodology.
• Oversee the design and implementation of internal controls over sustainability reporting, working closely with Northern Trust's Global Financial Control team.
• Implement qualitative and quantitative methodologies to track and streamline climate data and engage with all relevant departments to support data governance for GHG calculations.
• Proactively identify ESG related reporting issues, risks, opportunities, and trends that may impact the Corporation and stay abreast of new developments in climate reporting frameworks and regulations.
• Manage the quarterly Disclosure Committee agenda and deliverables as it relates to ESG reporting.
• Oversee regular benchmarking of climate reporting against peers, industry trends, and best practices.
• Develop and maintain a strong relationship with internal and external auditors and provide oversight to the annual audit process as defined for each audit cycle.
• Develop and maintain relationships with peers to benchmark and share best practices.
• Support the Investor Relations team in preparation for earnings calls, shareholder reporting, etc.
Other
• Review, recommend, and implement standardized process improvements identified in day-to-day activities ensuring improvements are in line with best practice.
• Ensure the availability of proper (auditable) documentation to support all processes.
• Demonstrate the ability and the desire to share the knowledge in the form of training, mentoring or coaching others.
• Provide technical input to systems and business process projects as required, for example as a subject matter expert; and
• Lead Finance initiatives through the project life cycle ensuring delivery to achieve stated objectives as applicable.
The successful candidate will benefit from having:
• Overall ESG, but especially climate and GHG related reporting experience and knowledge of the different reporting frameworks (i.e., Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures ("TCFD"), Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive ("CSRD"), International Sustainability Standards Board ("ISSB")/Sustainability Accounting Standard Board ("SASB"), SEC Climate Proposal, Carbon Disclosure Project ("CDP"), Global Reporting Initiative ("GRI") and GHG calculation approaches (GHG Protocol, Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials ("PCAF"))
• Proven project management skills
• Lead a resourceful, resilient, and practical approach to building a global ESG / climate reporting program.
• This individual will also have strong interaction and working relationships with Northern Trust's Climate Risk team, Corporate Sustainability, Inclusion and Social Impact ("CSISI"), Investor Relations, Legal, Global Financial Controls, and local Finance teams in EMEA (Europe, Middle East & Africa) and APAC (Asia Pacific).
• 5+ years of professional corporate experience within ESG, SEC Reporting, Audit, or similar functions (experience within climate, sustainability, ESG, or related field that may include driving corporate climate initiatives is preferred).
• Thorough understanding of current and emerging climate reporting frameworks and regulations, both internationally as well as within the U.S., especially the SEC proposal and subsequent final ruling (or willingness to obtain such understanding within a short period).
• Confident in developing climate, sustainability, or ESG disclosures for public companies and applying respective reporting frameworks (preferred)
• Experience as a successful, detail-oriented leader who can function independently with diverse stakeholders and manage through influence across all levels and functions.
Working with Us:
As a Northern Trust partner, greater achievements await. You will be part of a flexible and collaborative work culture in an organization where financial strength and stability is an asset that emboldens us to explore new ideas.
Movement within the organization is encouraged, senior leaders are accessible, and you can take pride in working for a company committed to assisting the communities we serve! Join a workplace with a greater purpose.
We'd love to learn more about how your interests and experience could be a fit with one of the world's most admired and sustainable companies! Build your career with us and apply today. #MadeForGreater
Reasonable accommodation
Northern Trust is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable
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