ESG Risk Lead

Requisition Details & Talent Acquisition Consultant

Position Title: ESG Risk Lead – Strategic Innovation & Risk Integration

REQ 141058 Themb Mtshali

Location: Johannesburg 

Closing date : 28 July 2025

Job Family

Career Stream

Leadership Pipeline

Job Purpose

Nedbank is seeking a practical, forward-thinking ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance ) Risk Lead to head our ESG Risk Lead Team within Group Strategic Risk. This is not a sustainability generalist role — it is a strategic, risk-focused leadership position for a candidate with deep expertise in ESG risk methodologies, global regulatory frameworks, and forward-looking risk integration.
You will lead the development and application of cutting-edge ESG risk tools, frameworks, and scenario analyses that shape Nedbank’s enterprise-wide risk posture. Your work will directly influence how ESG risks are embedded into credit, market, operational, and liquidity risk management frameworks — ensuring Nedbank remains the green leader in South African banking.
This role is ideal for a candidate who thrives at the intersection of technical ESG risk innovation, financial risk integration, and strategic influence. You will work closely with our ESG Risk Management team in ESG Risk to co-drive research, foresight, and practical implementation of ESG risk across the bank.

Job Responsibilities

•    Lead Nedbank’s ESG Risk Lead Team, managing a team of environmental analysts focused on research, innovation, and global best practice.
•    Drive the development and implementation of advanced ESG risk methodologies (e.g. climate risk materiality assessments, nature risk assessments, scenario analysis, glidepaths etc).
•    Translate global frameworks (e.g. TCFD, TNFD, ISSB, NGFS, PACTA) into practical, bank-wide risk tools and disclosures.
•    Partner with the ESG Risk Management team to co-develop forward-looking risk identification and integration across all risk types.
•    Co-act with the Risk Team as Nedbank’s internal centre of excellence for ESG risk — providing thought leadership, training, and strategic advisory to business units, risk committees, and executive leadership.
•    Monitor global ESG risk trends and regulatory developments to ensure Nedbank remains ahead of the curve.
•    Represent Nedbank in industry forums (e.g. BASA, UNEP FI) and with external stakeholders (e.g. SARB, rating agencies, investors).
•    Publish internal and external ESG risk research to reinforce Nedbank’s leadership position.

Essential Qualification

•    Honours or Master’s degree in Risk Management, Environmental Science, Finance, Engineering, or related field.

Preferred Certifications

•    Professional risk qualification (e.g. GARP SCR, CFA ESG, PRM)

Minimum Experience Level

•    Minimum 5–7 years in ESG risk, environmental risk, enterprise risk, or financial risk roles.
•    Experience in banking or financial services is essential.
•    Familiarity with digital tools, data analytics, and ESG risk systems is advantageous.

Types of Exposures

•    Proven track record in ESG risk leadership, ideally within a financial institution or regulatory body.
•    Deep understanding of financial risk types and how ESG risks intersect with them.
•    Experience leading climate and nature risk assessments, including methodology design and implementation.
•    Strong grasp of global ESG risk frameworks and disclosure standards (TCFD, TNFD, ISSB, NGFS, Basel, UNEP FI).
•    Strategic thinker with the ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive enterprise-wide change.
•    Skilled in translating complex technical concepts into actionable insights for diverse audiences.
•    Experience managing high-performing teams and mentoring technical talent.
•    Passionate about research, development and innovation

Technical / Professional Knowledge

Behavioural Competencies

Disclaimer

Preference Recruiting Team at +27 860 555 566will be given to candidates from the underrepresented groups

Please contact the Nedbank.