ESG Programme Manager in London

ESG Programme Manager in London

London Full-Time 55000 - 65000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Swift Software

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead and execute Swift's ESG strategy across the organisation, ensuring impactful delivery.
  • Company: Join a global leader in secure financial messaging with a commitment to sustainability.
  • Benefits: Inclusive culture, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Other info: Be part of a dynamic team driving ESG initiatives in a collaborative environment.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in sustainability while working with top-tier professionals.
  • Qualifications: Strong programme management skills and experience in regulatory or sustainability contexts.

The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.

About Swift

Swift is a global provider of secure financial messaging services headquartered in Belgium and serves over 12,000 banks and financial institutions worldwide.

Role Purpose

The ESG Programme Manager is accountable for executing Swift’s ESG strategy into effective, organisation‑wide delivery. The role leads the planning, coordination, and execution of ESG programmes—most notably regulatory initiatives such as CSRD—ensuring that ESG commitments are embedded into Swift’s governance, risk management, and operations, and that progress is transparently reported to senior management/executives.

Key Responsibilities

  • ESG programme delivery and coordination: Lead the delivery of Swift’s ESG programme in line with agreed objectives, timelines, budgets, and quality standards. Translate ESG strategy and priorities into tangible roadmaps, initiatives, and deliverables. Coordinate interdependencies across ESG, Finance, Risk, Legal, HR, Communications, and other functions to ensure coherent execution.
  • Regulatory readiness (including CSRD): Manage the end‑to‑end delivery of ESG‑related regulatory programmes, with a primary focus on CSRD. Own programme planning, milestone tracking, issue management, and escalation. Oversee and coordinate external delivery partners and advisors. Support governance forums (SteerCo, ExCo) with accurate and timely status reporting.
  • Governance, controls, and risk integration: Support the establishment and maintenance of appropriate ESG governance, controls, and oversight mechanisms. Partner with Risk to integrate ESG risks into Swift’s Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) and maintain ESG risk logs. Ensure ESG considerations are embedded into relevant frameworks, including Vendor Risk Management (VRM).
  • Board and senior stakeholder engagement: Prepare Board, Supervisory Board, and Executive Committee materials relating to ESG strategy, risks, regulatory readiness, and performance. Support Board onboarding and continuing education on ESG topics. Act as a trusted ESG programme point of contact for senior stakeholders.
  • Operational and ecosystem integration: Support the embedding of ESG requirements into operational processes, supplier due diligence, and supplier engagement initiatives. Coordinate ESG data collection and validation across internal and external stakeholders. Enable consistent ESG implementation across the organisation rather than standalone or policy‑only approaches.
  • Communication and capability building: Partner with Internal Communications and HR to drive ESG awareness and understanding across Swift. Support ESG training, education, and engagement initiatives for employees and leadership. Contribute to building a strong ESG culture across the organisation.

Skills and Experience

  • Strong program management experience, ideally in regulatory or sustainability contexts.
  • Proven ability to operate across complex, cross‑functional stakeholder environments.
  • Ability to support team development and capability across geographically dispersed ESG functions.
  • Experience supporting senior governance forums (ExCo / Board).
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, with experience producing executive‑level materials.
  • Understanding of ESG regulation and governance frameworks (e.g. CSRD, ERM, VRM).

EEO and Accessibility

Swift is committed to an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. If you require a reasonable accommodation related to accessibility during your application or interview, please contact accessibility‑ or indicate this in your application. All requests are confidential and will not affect your candidacy.

ESG Programme Manager in London employer: Swift Software

At Swift, we pride ourselves on being a leading global provider of secure financial messaging services, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters innovation and collaboration. As an ESG Programme Manager, you will be part of a forward-thinking team dedicated to embedding sustainability into our core operations, with ample opportunities for professional growth and development. Our inclusive culture, commitment to employee well-being, and focus on meaningful impact make Swift an exceptional employer for those looking to drive change in the financial sector.

Swift Software

Contact Details:

Swift Software Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land ESG Programme Manager in London

Join Compliance Communities

Get involved in compliance and risk communities — both online and offline. Look for forums, LinkedIn groups, or even local meetups where compliance pros hang out. You never know who might drop a job opportunity your way!

Attend Industry Conferences

Keep an eye out for compliance and risk management conferences and workshops in your area. These events are a goldmine for networking, and they often have job boards or recruiters on-site looking for new talent. Plus, it’s a chance to learn what's trending in the field.

Leverage Your University Career Services

If you’ve recently graduated or are still studying, head over to your university's career services. Many companies, including those in compliance, actively recruit fresh talent through these services, so make sure you tap into that resource.

Showcase Your Knowledge Online

Start writing articles or blog posts about compliance topics that interest you. Share them on platforms like LinkedIn to demonstrate your knowledge and passion. This not only builds your presence in the field but can also catch the attention of companies like Swift Software looking for candidates who are engaged and informed.

We think you need these skills to ace ESG Programme Manager in London

ESG Programme Management
Regulatory Knowledge (CSRD)
Stakeholder Engagement
Cross-Functional Coordination
Governance Frameworks (ERM, VRM)
Communication Skills
Data Collection and Validation

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Understanding of Compliance:In the compliance-risk field, it's super important to showcase your understanding of regulations and risk management frameworks. Highlight any relevant coursework, certifications (like ICA or AML), or even projects that demonstrate your knowledge and commitment to this area. We want to see how you can navigate this complex landscape!

Quantify Your Achievements:When detailing your experience, try to quantify your achievements. For example, if you've previously worked on a project that improved compliance metrics or reduced risk exposure, give us the numbers! This data-driven approach really stands out to hiring managers in compliance-risk roles.

Tailor Your CV to Reflect Relevant Skills:Make sure your CV highlights skills that are particularly relevant to compliance, like attention to detail, analytical thinking, and report writing. Ensure these are easy to spot – consider using bullet points to break down your responsibilities and achievements for maximum impact!

Craft a Motivating Cover Letter:In your cover letter, let us know why you’re excited about the compliance-risk role at Swift Software. Share what motivates you about compliance, and how you believe you can contribute to our mission. This is your chance to showcase not only your skills but also your passion for this important field!

How to prepare for a job interview at Swift Software

Master the Regulations

Brush up on key compliance regulations relevant to the industry you're applying to. Familiarising yourself with specific laws and frameworks used in your field will give you an edge during technical questions. Show that you’re not just aware of them but can also apply them—think real-life scenarios!

Show Your Analytical Skills

Compliance roles really focus on analytical skills, so be prepared for case studies or situational questions during the interview. We've got to demonstrate how we approach risk assessments or compliance audits, possibly drawing on examples from past experiences or university projects. Bring some thoughtful case scenarios to discuss!

Know Your Tools

Get comfortable with commonly used compliance software and tools. Familiarity with platforms like RSA or MetricStream can really impress during your interview, as it shows you're ready to hit the ground running. If you’ve had any experience with them, make sure to highlight that!

Align with Company Culture

Since it's a full-time position, show your long-term commitment and interest in the company’s mission and values. Dive into how your ethics and professional philosophy align with Swift Software’s stance on compliance. A shared vision can really resonate with interviewers looking for fit as much as skill!