Global Head of Standards

About AccountAbility

AccountAbility is a global consulting and standards firm that works with businesses, investors, governments, and multilateral organisations to innovate and advance the global sustainability/ESG agenda by improving the practices, performance, and impact of organisations. The firm focuses on delivering practical, effective, and enduring results that enable our clients to succeed. AccountAbility is a Public Benefit Corporation, operating globally through a highly qualified team from offices in New York, London, Riyadh, and Dubai. The firm is the recipient of multiple business awards from the 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

This role is based in New York, NY and requires an in-office presence four (4) days per week, with remote work flexibility on Fridays.

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 organisations, 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 be expected to raise awareness of the AA1000 Series of Standards with collaborating partners, including licensed assurance providers, training organisations, regulatory bodies, prospects, and companies worldwide to enhance global implementation. This role is responsible for leading advocacy and promotion efforts across geographies and will require travel accordingly — likely around 50% of the time.

The successful candidate will be one that is driven by client work and comfortable operating in a fast-paced, client-facing, consulting-driven environment.

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‍Key Responsibilities

Clients

• Lead the global promotion and development of the AA1000 Series of Standards, 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 of Standards, including facilitating the exchange of insights, best practices, and thought leadership.
• Identify, prospect, and develop business with new and existing clients to meet revenue generation targets.
• Actively and effectively oversee and manage multiple projects with multiple stakeholders simultaneously, including management of team members, to ensure high-quality and influential delivery.
• Drive measurable growth in global adoption and implementation of the AA1000 Series of Standards across priority markets and sectors.
• Deliver against annual revenue targets tied to standards-related services, partnerships, and engagements along with cross-selling.
• 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 through industry events, publications, and speaking engagements.

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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.
• Seek professional and personal development independently.
• 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/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 go-to-market 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 of Standards 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 for this position will be engaging and dynamic, able to demonstrate high emotional intelligence, have experience in the field of sustainability standards, and strong business acumen. Candidates are expected to be client-focused and should have a proven track record in building a wide range of stakeholder relationships for standards development and promotion, with experience in developing sustainability thought leadership.

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Required qualifications:

• 15+ years of experience in management consulting and sustainability standards/assurance with a focus on revenue generation.
• Excellent written skills, including technical standards development, associated communications, and presentations.
• Excellent verbal communication skills for representing the firm through public speaking engagements, stakeholder/work groups, and meeting facilitation.
• Master's Degree, including an MBA, MA, MS, or MPA preferred, with a demonstrated record of academic excellence. BA/BS degree required in Business Management, Sustainability, Environmental Science, Accounting, Economics, 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 organisations, 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, and UN SDGs.
• Have knowledge or experience with sustainability-related auditing and assurance standards (e.g., AA1000AS v3, ISAE3000, ISAE3410, ISO14064-3, and ISSA5000).
• Have an existing network of senior-level contacts across sustainability standard-setting bodies, accounting organisations, and regulatory institutions (e.g., ISSB, IAASB, IESBA, AICPA, EFRAG).
• Show self-initiative and the ability to work well independently and lead teams.
• Think critically, grasp new concepts quickly, and embrace new ideas and emerging perspectives.

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