Global Head of Standards

About AccountAbility

AccountAbility is a leading global standards and consulting firm that works with businesses,investors, governments, and multilateral organizations to innovate and advance the globalsustainability agenda by improving the practices, performance, and impact of organizations. Wefocus on delivering practical, effective, and enduring results that enable our clients andstandards users to succeed. AccountAbility operates globally from offices in New York, London,Riyadh, and Dubai, through a highly qualified team that has received awards and recognition bythe Financial Times, Forbes, and Capital Finance International.

Please visit our website https://www.accountability.org to learn more about us and our work.

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About This Position

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The Global Head of Standards serves as AccountAbility’s principal ambassador for the AA1000Series, the firm’s flagship sustainability standards used by organizations and assurance providers worldwide. Reporting to the CEO and serving on the senior leadership team, this executive sets the technical and strategic direction for the standards globally, engages directly with regulators, licensed assurance providers, and standard-setting bodies, and drives the global growth, awareness, and adoption of the AA1000 Series. The role represents the firm publicly across geographies and convenes the international community of regulators, standard setters, assurance providers, training organizations, and adopting institutions. This is an institutional leadership role at the intersection of standards, policy, and practice

This role is based in New York, NY and requires in-office presence four (4) days per week, with remote work flexibility on Fridays. Candidates must currently reside in theNew York metropolitan area or be willing to relocate to the New York metropolitan area at their own expense prior to start. Remote and hybrid arrangements outside the New York Metropolitan area are not available.

The Global Head of Standards will have oversight of a global and/or matrixed team and will collaborate cross-functionally with Advisory, Research, and Operations functions to ensure alignment and execution of strategic priorities.The Global Head of Standards will work with international businesses, governmental and nongovernmental organizations, standard setters, framework developers, regulators, assurance providers, and professional institutes to advance the AA1000 Series of Standards.

Successful candidates will demonstrate (a) deep technical and policy expertise across the global sustainability standards landscape; (b) outstanding ambassadorship and advocacy skills, with the diplomatic ability to represent the firm and lead multiple complex stakeholder engagements simultaneously; and (c) executive leadership experience at the institutional level.The successful candidate will serve as the public face of the AA1000 Series of Standards ,raising awareness and promoting growth and global adoption of the standards through sustained engagement with regulators, licensed assurance providers, training organizations, and adopting companies worldwide. The role leads advocacy, ambassadorship, and convening efforts across geographies, with travel as required. Responsibilities for this position include, but are not limited to:

The Global Head of Standards will report to the Chief Executive Officer and will serve as a key member of the senior leadership team, with responsibility for driving global strategy, adoption, and revenue growth related to the AA1000 Series of Standards.

This role will have oversight of a global and/or matrixed team and will collaborate cross-functionally with Advisory, Research, and Operations functions to ensure alignment and execution of strategic priorities.

The Global Head of Standards at AccountAbility will be working with a wide variety of international businesses, governmental and non-governmental organizations, standard setters, framework developers, and professional institutes to support the scaling and adoption of the AA1000 Series of Standards. The successful candidate must demonstrate: a) the ability to generate, manage, and build stakeholder relationships for firm growth; b) excellent advocacy skills and adaptability to effectively lead a multitude of stakeholder engagements simultaneously; and c) strong leadership skills and experience.

The successful candidate will serve as the public face of the AA1000 Series of Standards, raising awareness and promoting growth and global adoption of the standards through sustained engagement with regulators, licensed assurance providers, training organizations, and adopting companies worldwide. The role leads advocacy, ambassadorship, and convening efforts across geographies, with travel as required. Responsibilities for this position include, but are not limited to:

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Standards Leadership & External Engagement

• Serve as AccountAbility’s primary ambassador and public spokesperson for the AA1000Series, advancing brand awareness and global adoption
• Lead sustained engagement with global regulators, licensed assurance providers, training organizations, and standard-setting bodies (e.g., ISSB, IAASB, EFRAG, IESBA,AICPA, and equivalent institutions) to promote uptake and integration of the AA1000Series
• Set the technical agenda for the AA1000 Series, including evolution, exposure drafts, public consultations, and due process
• Convene international working groups, technical committees, and advisory panels supporting standards development, dissemination, and assurance practice
• Lead the global promotion and growth of the AA1000 Series, including advancing research into effective methodologies for their development, implementation, and application
• Drive the advancement and dissemination of knowledge, education, and training related to the AA1000 Series, including the exchange of insights, best practices, and thought leadership
• Cultivate strategic relationships with new and existing partners and adopters that translate into long-term growth of the AA1000 Series
• Oversee and manage multiple stakeholder programs and team members simultaneously to ensure high-quality, influential delivery
• Drive measurable growth in global adoption and implementation of the AA1000 Series across priority markets and sectors
• Deliver against annual adoption metrics and associated revenue targets tied to standards-related services, partnerships, and engagements
• Expand and strengthen strategic partnerships with key stakeholders, including regulators, standard-setting bodies, assurance providers, and global institutions
• Represent AccountAbility as a senior thought leader and ambassador through industry events, publications, and speaking engagement

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People

• Lead, develop, and scale a high-performing global standards function, including direct and/or matrixed team members
• Foster cross-regional collaboration to ensure consistency in standards application and stakeholder engagement globally
• Collaborate with AccountAbility's Advisory Management Team for coordinated initiatives, knowledge sharing, resource management, decision-making, and cross-selling
• Provide guidance and coaching to support learning and professional development of staff members
• Facilitate a high standard of performance, quality, and delivery expectations
• Embrace and champion an inclusive and collaborative working environment.

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Firm and Operations

• Collaborate in executing AccountAbility's global and regional strategy
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant sustainability and standards topics, policies, regulations, and general trends for key industries
• Support various internal initiatives, such as directing delivery of content and materials for panel sessions and events
• Collaborate effectively with AccountAbility’s Advisory practice and align with the firm’s overall global engagement strategy
• Oversee financial management of the AA1000 Standards, including budgeting, forecasting, resource allocation, and performance monitoring in coordination with finance
• Provide strategic input into the evolution and positioning of the AA1000 Series in alignment with global regulatory and market trends
• Partner cross-functionally with internal teams to integrate standards into broader client solutions and firm offerings

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Qualifications

The successful candidate will be an institutional leader and a natural ambassador with deep technical and policy credibility in sustainability standards, regulation, or related research disciplines. Candidates should be engaging and dynamic, demonstrate high emotional intelligence and executive presence, and have a proven track record of building stakeholder relationships at the most senior levels of standard-setting bodies, regulators, assurance providers, and global institutions.

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Required qualifications:

• 20+ years of experience, with the majority spent in standards-setting bodies, regulatory institutions, sustainability assurance, academic research, or policy-focused roles, with a focus on growing brand awareness and adoption of standards. Management consulting experience is welcome as a complement but is not a substitute for direct standards, regulatory, academic or research leadership.
• Demonstrated experience as an external-facing ambassador or spokesperson, representing an institution to regulators, assurance providers, and senior global stakeholders. Excellent written skills, including technical standards development, associated communications, and presentations.
• Demonstrated experience leading a global function, institutional program, or standard setting initiative, with direct accountability for strategic and financial outcomes
• Track record of authored or co-authored standards, frameworks, or peer-reviewed publications in sustainability, ESG, or related fields
• Existing senior-level relationships across sustainability standard-setting bodies, accounting organizations, assurance providers, and regulatory institutions (e.g., ISSB,IAASB, IESBA, AICPA, EFRAG, GRI, IFAC)
• Excellent written skills, including technical standards drafting, associated communications and presentations
• Excellent verbal communication skills for representing the firm through public speaking, stakeholder / work groups, and meeting facilitation at the institutional level
• Master’s Degree, MBA, MA, MS, MPA, JD, or PhD preferred with a demonstrated record of academic excellence. BA/BS degree required in Business Management,Sustainability, Environmental Science, Accounting, Economics, Public Policy, or a related field.

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Successful candidates will:

• Demonstrate an ability to build cross-cultural relationships for collaborative efforts with a wide range of stakeholders, clients, partner organizations and colleagues
• Have an expert understanding of relevant Sustainability standards / ESG topics, and related trends in business and management practices
• Have knowledge of relevant sustainability frameworks / standards and the international regulatory and policy landscape, including ESRS / CSRD, SASB, ISSB, TCFD, GRI, UN SDGs
• Have substantive experience with sustainability-related auditing and assurance standards (e.g., AA1000AS v3, ISAE3000, ISAE3410, ISO14064-3 and ISSA5000)
• Show self-initiative and the ability to work well independently and lead teams
• Think critically, grasp new concepts quickly, and embrace new ideas / emerging perspectives

Compensation

Base salary of $185,000-$215,000, complemented by a competitive discretionary performance bonus and a comprehensive benefits package including 401(k)

AccountAbility is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment.

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How to Apply

Interested candidates should send a brief cover letter outlining your relevant experience and why you are interested in the role, along with your resume or CV, to teresa.altman@accountability.org with the subject line: Global Head of Standards – [Last Name]. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

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