Manager – ESG & CSR – American Express

At American Express, we know that with the right backing, people and businesses have the power to progress in incredible ways. Whether we’re supporting our customers’ financial confidence to move ahead, taking commerce to new heights, or encouraging people to explore the world, our colleagues are constantly striving to uphold our powerful backing promise to our customers and each other every day.

These beliefs have been our North Star for 170 years as our business transformed – from helping evacuate travelers during World Wars, to ensuring the safety of our customers’ funds during the Great Depression in the U.S., to creating the Shop Small® movement to help small businesses recover from the Financial Crisis, to providing aid to communities impacted by many natural disasters and so much more.

For generations, the key to our success has been the determination and resilience of our American Express colleagues. Now, as a globally integrated payments company, we work together to provide customers with access to products, insights and world-class experiences that enrich lives and build business success. Join us and let’s lead the way together.

American Express is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability status, age, or any other status protected by law.

Offer of employment with American Express is conditioned upon the successful completion of a background verification check, subject to applicable laws and regulations.

Work Location Options: Hybrid/Virtual

You Lead the Way. We’ve Got Your Back.

At American Express, we know that with the right backing, people and businesses have the power to progress in incredible ways. Whether we’re supporting our customers’ financial confidence to move ahead, taking commerce to new heights, or encouraging people to explore the world, our colleagues are constantly redefining what’s possible — and we’re proud to back each other every step of the way. When you join #TeamAmex, you become part of a diverse community of over 60,000 colleagues, all with a common goal to deliver an exceptional customer experience every day. We back our colleagues with the support they need to thrive, professionally and personally. That’s why we have Amex Flex, our enterprise working model that provides greater flexibility to colleagues while ensuring we preserve the important aspects of our unique in-person culture. Depending on role and business needs, colleagues will either work onsite, in a hybrid model (combination of in-office and virtual days) or fully virtually.

Environment Social Governance & Corporate Social Responsibility

Functional Description & Purpose

From our high employee satisfaction ratings to our many workplace awards, American Express is consistently recognized as a great place to work by people around the world. As part of its Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) strategy, American Express has three areas of focus: Promote Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (ii) Build Financial Confidence and Resilience and (iii) Advance Climate Solutions.

Building on our global CSR and ESG priorities, goals and strategies, an excellent opportunity exists for a corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability professional to join the American Express’ Corporate Affairs and Communications (CA&C) team  in India, This is a new role created to help develop and execute community giving and sustainability strategies; design and manage various programs, including our social impact framework, local grant partnerships and colleague engagement initiatives, sustainability reporting and supporting statutory CSR matters under the Companies Act 2013.

To be successful in this role, you will need to demonstrate experience in developing and implementing community giving, CSR and/or sustainability strategies. The role will increase senior management capability to significantly drive and improve American Express’ ESG and CSR engagement, activities and progress in India.

This role will work closely with leaders of the American Express CSR team and Foundation and in partnership with a wide range of internal stakeholders across the entire organisation to collate data, coordinate reporting on ESG and CSR goals, manage relationships with external charitable and community partners, manage colleague volunteering opportunities and comply with CSR statutory obligations under Companies Act 2013.

The successful candidate will have the ability to adapt and thrive within a well-established corporate culture. It is essential that the person in this role be capable of leading and influencing colleagues at the highest levels of the organisation. They need to work well in a small team environment and be able to deliver work independently to a high standard.

This position reports to the Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Communications – Asia and is available full time based in Gurgaon.

Job Responsibilities

In close engagement with the Global Corporate Social Responsibility team:

• Design ESG and CSR programs/ initiatives to support the company’s global strategy in compliance with the Indian landscape and Companies Act.
• Design and management of new/existing colleague engagement initiatives
• Management and engagement of third-party consultants (as relevant/needed) and oversight over execution of local projects to ensure timely and quality deliverables
• Develop tools and metrics to track, evaluate and monitor the progress and success of CSR and ESG programs/initiatives including periodic reports/updates to ESG team and senior management
• Support development of the Annual CSR impact report and ESG report, including reporting, case studies and disclosures as per Companies Act.
• Provide support to stakeholders for statutory/regulatory filings and CSR Audit
• Monitor sustainability trends and competitors initiatives to support process improvement within American Express.
• Manage internal systems and procedures relevant to sustainability, community engagement, committee governance and processes including NGO and Agency onboarding.

Required Qualifications

• Prior experience in corporate ESG, CSR, or sustainability work in India preferably with a large MNC or development agencies.
• 8-10+ years’ experience working in a corporate responsibility, grant giving or sustainability-focused role.
• In lieu of specific experience, strong understanding of sustainability, social impact and community engagement (and associated market trends) preferably in the financial services sector in India, including current and emerging sustainability issues for the sector.
• Ability to understand Statutory / Regulatory provisions related to CSR in India
• Experience overseeing reporting and/or strategy development and implementation.
• Academic qualifications (preferred) in relevant fields including Sustainability Management, Business Administration, Communications, CSR, Development studies etc.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Relationship management and influencing skills, including managing up and managing a team
• Demonstrated ability to lead strategy development and execution independently.
• Strong project management and organizational skills to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously.
• Experience exercising discretion and confidentiality with sensitive information.

Additional Details

Ongoing Workplace Flexibility: Position will be based in Gurugram with a minimum in-office commitment and hybrid working arrangements in line with the enterprise’s return-to-work guidelines to take effect in 2022.