Sector Expert - Sustainable Solutions Group – Financial Institutions

ING has a strong ambition to be a leader in accelerating the low-carbon transition, which is the driver behind the aim to put sustainability at the heart of our strategy. The newly created Sustainable Solutions Group (SSG, a merger of Sustainable Finance and the Sector Sustainability Leads teams), drives the overall sustainability strategy of the WB within the Sector Coverage organization. Within SSG, the SSG – Financial Institutions (“SSG-FI”] team is responsible for the strategic and commercial sustainability direction of the FI Sector Coverage team. The SSG-FI team drives the client engagement (both from an opportunity as well as from a risk perspective), net zero steering and ESG risk appetite within the sector.

The SSG- FI team

The SSG FI team is a newly created, vibrant and multi-functional team of 2(+) FTE.  The team reports to the SSG FI Sector Lead, who functionally reports to the Global Head of SSG and hierarchically into the Global Head of FI. The team is driving the sustainability agenda for the FI and coordinates it on a global basis.

(Shared) Key responsibilities of the SSG-FI team

• Strategy: Integral responsibility to implement the sustainability strategy of WB into the FI team. Develop and implement the sector specific sustainability strategy on climate alignment, the commercial client strategy, ESG risk appetite and sector specific reporting and steering.

• Climate steering: Steer on ING’s climate targets, including Terra, and contribute to continuous development and implementation of Sector Transition Plans, Client Transition Plans (CTP) incl. Nature, and progress tracking.

• Client engagement and commercial opportunities: Support FI clients in their transition and enhance the strategic dialogue with WB clients by leveraging on our sustainability pioneering position. Help identifying opportunities for origination and structuring of Volume Mobilized (MBB KPI) for the Sector (transition opportunity) and/or other sustainable business opportunities incl. ESG advisory, FM, CM&A mandates etc. Work closely with SSG network teams in the various countries or regions to support local commercial opportunities and to be the first point of contact on transactional related questions for them. Ensure that client engagement or lack of client or portfolio transition progress is addressed appropriately (transition risk).

• Alignment: Ensure that new deal origination of the FI sector is in line with ING’s sustainability strategy. Partner with sector teams to deliver on ING's Climate Client Engagement approach. Raise challenging questions on clients’ alignment with ING’s values and strategy during GLC / approval process.

• Risk management: Navigate the evolving landscape of ESG regulations and disclosure requirements; support the setting of adequate governance and policies e.g. to address green-washing and litigation risks, regulatory driven transition risks or other ESG related risks for the sector; contribute to governance and tooling for ESR and ESG risk assessment for FI clients. 

• Thought leadership and knowledge sharing: Train relationship managers on sustainability topics, which are relevant for FI, via ESG related events/workshops/Q&A sessions etc.. Monitor sustainability developments and actively represent ING externally. Create and manage relations with clients, experts, advisors and industry bodies. Connect with other SSG Sector teams for cross sector initiatives and client solutions.

Strategic challenges

You challenge the status quo, drive sustainability agenda both internally and for clients. You see the big picture and translate that for the sector. You enjoy sharing knowledge and help upskilling the front office community and getting them onboard for the sustainability agenda. You are able to translate complex new regulations, changing market demand, greenwashing risk etc. to the sector organization. You pay attention to keeping alignment with the other SSG teams to ensure a consistent approach, on sustainable products, risk appetite and advocacy.

What are we looking for

• Strategic mindset & cultivates innovation: Strong affinity with sustainability and transitioning of the real economy, able to spot commercial sustainability opportunities and strike a good balance with ESG risks

• Sector, market and product knowledge: Sound understanding of the FI sector (Banks, Insurance, Financial Sponsors, Funds and Asset Managers) and relevant banking products in order to successfully engage with clients and create sustainability linked value

• Drives results & customer focus: Strong commercial drive and desire to support our front office teams and ING clients

• Effective communication & collaboration: Ability to translate ING’s sustainability vision and sector strategy into client engagement

• Hands-on mentality with operational excellence: Handy with presentations, systems, reporting, & processing data tools and platforms and capable to pass on the knowledge

• Strong analytical skills and result focus:  Proficient with analyzing data, identifying risks (green washing risks, regulatory risks, etc.), reporting and steering based on data (ESG client transition plan, ESG Risk assessment, SalesForce, etc.)

• Stakeholder engagement: Likes to engage with internal and external stakeholders (e.g. clients, policy makers, sector organizations etc.) and brings our collaborative sustainability ambition and advocacy about transition towards Net-Zero to life

• ING’s Values: Strong commitment to ING’s Orange Code values and behaviors, ING’s Global Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging strategy

Your experience

We are looking for an SSG Sector expert, who has a strong understanding of and affinity with the FI sector and sustainability. The preferred candidate has a strong client focus, strong sense of collaboration and commercial drive to upscale sustainability focus within the FI community and accelerate the sustainability transition of FI.

• Education: University / Postgraduate in finance, economics, sustainability or engineering;

• Work: 5+ years work experience in the financial industry with international environment, good relationship management skills, sector knowledge and sustainability experience;

• Min. 1 year of prior work with the (sub)-Sector(s) (either directly or in one of the support functions including former Sustainable Finance or Group Sustainability), with proven interest and knowledge of sustainability expertise.

• Strong understanding of ING and WB business lines, products, processes and tools;

• Excellent command of English, written as well as spoken;

• Good working knowledge of Excel, Word and PowerPoint;

• Proactive and self-driven work ethic combined with a structured and disciplined approach;

• Strong (self-) organizational skills. Ability to build bridges, run complex processes, and manage multiple stakeholders;

• Focus on timely delivery of objectives. Ability to work with tight deadlines with multiple urgent tasks;

How to succeed

We hire people like you for your potential. Our biggest expectation is that you will stay curious. Keep learning. Take on responsibility. In return, we will back you to develop into an even more awesome version of yourself.

Rewards and benefits

We want to make sure that it’s possible for you to strike the right balance between your career and your private life. You can find out more about our employment conditions at Benefits in the Netherlands

The benefits of working with us at ING include:

• A salary tailored to your qualities and experience
• 24-27 vacation days depending on contract
• Pension scheme
• 13th month salary
• Individual Savings Contribution (BIS), 3.5% of your gross annual salary
• 8% Holiday payment
• Hybrid working to blend home working for focus and office working for collaboration and co-creation
• Personal growth and challenging work with endless possibilities

• An informal working environment with innovative colleagues
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About us

With 60,000 employees and operations in approximately 40 countries, there is no shortage of opportunities for people with initiative who want to help people take a step ahead in life and in business. Do you want to work at the cutting edge of what’s possible and at the same time ensure you work with integrity and hold the customer’s interests at heart? Do you want to be surrounded by progressive, inspiring, diverse and supportive colleagues? Then there is no better place to invest your talents than at ING. Join us. Apply today.

Questions

Contact Anna Plewinska-Pijl, SSG FI Lead for more information about this role. Want to apply directly? Please upload your CV and motivation letter by clicking the “Apply” button.