Sustainability Specialist

Job Title: Corporate Sustainability Contractor

Location: Preference for a candidate who is local to the NYC or SF office and can be available to work in-person for collaboration,

Duration: 12 Months Contract with Possible Extension

Pay Rate: $30-$32 Per hour on W2

Role Overview:

• Client is seeking a Contractor to join our ESG & Sustainability team, focusing on our science -based target for vendor engagement. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in enhancing our sustainable vendor-related initiatives, supporting ESG disclosures/climate reporting, and will help with other projects as needed. This role will require strong project management skills as you will be leading and supporting multiple sustainability initiatives. While not required, expertise in contractual negotiation as it pertains to sustainability clauses is a plus.

Required Qualifications:

• 4 years of ESG & Sustainability experience, with a strong focus on legal and contractual negotiations in supply chain and vendor management.

• Proven experience working in corporate sustainability, or ESG, preferably within a technology or SaaS company.

• Strong knowledge of regulatory frameworks such as EU CSRD, CSDDD, SEC, TCFD, and third-party assessment such as EcoVadis

• Highly skilled in data analysis, automation, and developing efficient processes for managing vendor ESG & Sustainability data.

• Exceptional project management skills with an ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to develop clear, effective presentations.

• Ability to work independently and as part of a cross-functional team in a fast-paced environment. Proactive and positive attitude.

Additional qualifications (not required):

• Expertise in legal negotiations related to ESG, including drafting and negotiating contract clauses focused on sustainability compliance, and environmental sustainability.

Desired Skills:

• Experience in human rights risk assessments within supply chains.

• Familiarity with supply chain transparency tools and ESG reporting platforms.

• Familiarity with Watershed reporting software

• Strong data visualization skills for reporting and communicating ESG metrics to stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Sustainable Vendor Engagement

• Work with Client’s procurement team to embed sustainability into Client’s operational processes Track annual, quarterly vendor sustainability metrics around engagement & compliance Support the development of RFPs and contracts, including drafting language that aligns with ESG and sustainability goals, and managing vendor responses to ensure they meet compliance standards.

• Assist in automating dashboards and reporting tools to track and monitor supply chain vendors' compliance with Client’s sustainability requirements

• Develop resources and programs to engage vendors on sustainability and drive meaningful decarbonization across the value chain

• Provide guidance on how to embed ESG principles into vendor agreements, ensuring accountability and transparency within the supply chain.

• Prepare quarterly updates on environmental metrics for leadership, focusing on supply chain and vendor-related emissions data.

2. Regulation Readiness & Climate Data

• Work closely with Client’s legal teams to ensure Client’s compliance with ESG reporting frameworks both domestic and international (e.g. regulatory frameworks such as EU CSRD, CSDDD, SEC, and TCFD, CASB219)

• Regularly refresh and develop gap assessments and benchmarking against peers to ensure alignment with regulation & climate/ESG programs

• Implement internal controls and processes to strengthen Client’s ESG data governance

• Support in tracking, reporting, and analyzing Okta’s GHG/carbon footprint

3. Customer Engagement

• Assist with responses to customer ESG-related inquiries, particularly focusing on environmental and climate metrics

• Assist with customer research and additional project management around customer engagement

4. General support for Sr Director of ESG and Sustainability

• This could include research, preparing briefings and presentations, etc.