Acre is seeking a Director, ESG Accounting & Internal Controls for a leading pharmaceutical company to drive ESG reporting, data governance, and internal controls. This role ensures the accuracy, integrity, and compliance of ESG disclosures while aligning with CSRD, SASB, GRI, and TCFD regulations. Reporting to the VP of Accounting, this position collaborates cross-functionally to strengthen ESG governance and financial transparency.

Description

The Director, ESG Accounting & Internal Controls will lead the development, implementation, and oversight of the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) accounting and internal control framework. This role requires analytical skills, flexible thinking, experience working with ambiguity, and judgment in determining materiality.

You will ensure the integrity of financial and non-financial ESG data, manage the ESG internal control environment, and drive regulatory compliance across ESG disclosures. This position will partner closely with cross-functional teams, including ESG, Finance, Legal, Investor Relations, and Operations, to support the effective management and control of ESG data and ensure compliance with current and future global regulations.

This position will play a critical role in overall ESG governance, ensuring a robust control environment and audit-readiness for ESG reporting. You will also drive continuous improvement of internal processes and systems to strengthen ESG data governance and reporting accuracy. This position reports directly to the Vice President, Accounting and has accountability to the Vice President, Environmental Social & Governance Programs & Reporting.

Essential Functions

• Develop, implement, and maintain an effective ESG internal control framework to ensure compliance with current and future global ESG reporting requirements.

• Ensure ESG data governance policies and procedures are rigorously followed across all ESG initiatives, ensuring the accuracy, completeness, and consistency of non-financial performance metrics.

• Lead and manage risk assessments for ESG data collection, focusing on risk mitigation and continuous improvement of controls related to ESG disclosures.

• Identify opportunities for process optimization and system enhancements to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of ESG data gathering, analysis, and reporting.

• Ensure adherence to mandatory ESG disclosures under current regulations (e.g., CSRD, SASB, GRI, TCFD) and monitor voluntary disclosures as applicable.

• Ensure the company is fully prepared for limited and reasonable assurance obligations, including overseeing the preparation, review, and gap closing for ESG audit requirements.

• Manage relationships with internal and external auditors, audit timeliness, and budgets. Prepare audit status materials for senior management and the Audit Committee.

• Foster a strong control mindset within the ESG team and across the broader organization, promoting a culture of transparency, compliance, and accountability in ESG data management.

• Act as a liaison between ESG, Finance, Audit, Legal, Investor Relations, Operations, and others to ensure the proper integration of ESG control requirements into key business processes.

• Provide subject matter expertise on ESG controls, governance, and regulatory requirements to internal teams and senior management, guiding the development and implementation of policies and procedures to enhance ESG data integrity.

• Partner with IT and data management teams to integrate ESG controls and reporting tools into broader financial and operational systems, enabling better data visualization, analysis, and decision-making.

• Collaborate with key stakeholders across the business, including ESG, Finance, Investor Relations, Legal, HR, and Operations, to align ESG controls with broader corporate governance objectives.

Required Education

• Bachelor's Degree (BA/BS) in Finance, Business Administration, Sustainability, Environmental Science, or a related field.

Experience

• 10+ years in Audit, internal controls, or ESG data governance, with a deep understanding of ESG frameworks, non-financial reporting requirements, and audit processes.

• 10+ years of experience working with ESG-related assurance engagements and limited assurance reviews, as well as coordinating with internal and external auditors.

Advanced Skills Required

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex ESG data, provide insights, and make recommendations for continuous improvement.

• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey complex ESG and regulatory information to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

• Leadership and relationship management skills, with a demonstrated ability to collaborate cross-functionally and influence senior stakeholders to align with ESG goals and regulatory compliance.

• Ability to manage ambiguity, prioritize tasks, and effectively lead cross-functional teams in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Preferred Certifications

• CPA, CIA, CISA, or similar certifications.

For more information, please apply and get in touch with Anna Bene at anna.bene@acre.com