Associate Director – Sustainability Assurance - Audit & Assurance

Associate Director – Sustainability Assurance - Audit & Assurance
 

We Are Grant Thornton

At Grant Thornton, we go beyond business as usual, so you can too. With nearly 3,000 people in 9 offices across Ireland, the Isle of Man, Gibraltar, and Bermuda, and a presence in over 145 countries globally, we bring together local knowledge and national expertise, backed by a global network of over 68,000 professionals.

As trusted advisors, we build relationships that empower businesses to thrive—whether it’s working with the public sector to build strong communities, partnering with financial institutions to build trust, or supporting businesses across industries to achieve their goals. At Grant Thornton Ireland, we don’t just predict your future, we build it.

At Grant Thornton, we support dynamic organizations in achieving sustainable growth. As part of our Audit & Assurance practice, we provide independent assurance over both financial and non-financial reporting. As businesses face increasing scrutiny over their ESG disclosures, we are expanding our capabilities to include a dedicated Sustainability Assurance function.

This is a newly created client-facing role, offering a unique opportunity to contribute to the development of our Sustainability Assurance services and work directly with organizations navigating evolving ESG regulations.

Role Overview

As an Associate Director – Sustainability Assurance, you will be responsible for leading sustainability assurance engagements, working with clients to verify and enhance the credibility of their ESG disclosures. You will play a key role in ensuring compliance with sustainability reporting requirements, providing insights to stakeholders, and collaborating with audit teams to integrate ESG considerations into broader assurance processes.

This is a hands-on, client-facing leadership position requiring strong technical knowledge of sustainability assurance frameworks, the ability to build relationships with senior stakeholders, and a proactive approach to expanding the firm’s sustainability assurance offerings.

Key Responsibilities

Sustainability Assurance & Client Engagement

• Oversee and manage sustainability assurance engagements, ensuring compliance with ISAE 3000, ISAE 3410, AA1000AS, and other relevant frameworks.

• Provide independent assurance over ESG data, including climate-related disclosures, carbon emissions, social impact metrics, and corporate governance structures.

• Work closely with clients to interpret and apply sustainability reporting standards, including CSRD, SEC climate disclosures, EU Taxonomy, and UK TCFD-aligned reporting.

• Partner with audit teams to integrate non-financial and ESG assurance into financial audit processes.

Market & Stakeholder Engagement

• Serve as a trusted advisor to clients, offering guidance on best practices for sustainability reporting and assurance.

• Develop and maintain relationships with regulators, investors, industry bodies, and other key stakeholders.

• Represent Grant Thornton at industry events, sustainability roundtables, and regulatory discussions, positioning the firm as a leader in Sustainability Assurance.

• Contribute to the firm’s thought leadership efforts, producing insights on sustainability reporting trends and regulatory developments.

Practice Growth & Business Development

• Support the expansion of sustainability assurance services, helping to identify new opportunities and develop tailored client solutions.

• Work with senior leadership to refine methodologies and best practices for ESG assurance.

• Assist in developing proposals and securing new engagements, contributing to the firm’s market presence in sustainability assurance.

Leadership & Team Development

• Provide mentorship and technical guidance to junior team members, fostering professional growth and development.

• Help to embed sustainability expertise across the Audit & Assurance practice, contributing to training and internal knowledge-sharing initiatives.

Key Qualifications & Experience

• 5+ years of experience in audit, assurance, or sustainability reporting, with a focus on ESG and non-financial assurance.

• Strong technical expertise in sustainability assurance frameworks and ESG reporting standards (e.g., ISAE 3000, ISAE 3410, AA1000AS, GRI, SASB, ISSB, CSRD).

• Experience in leading client-facing sustainability assurance engagements, ensuring alignment with regulatory requirements.

• Knowledge of climate risk reporting, carbon accounting, and corporate governance within sustainability assurance.

• Strong communication skills, with experience in engaging with regulators, investors, and senior executives.

• Ability to contribute to business development and practice growth, identifying opportunities for expanding sustainability assurance services.

• Relevant professional qualification (e.g., ACA, ACCA, CPA, CFA (ESG), or sustainability-related credentials such as GRI, ISSB, CDP) preferred.

Why Join Grant Thornton?

• Play a key role in a new and expanding practice, shaping the future of sustainability assurance within the firm.

• Work with leading organizations, guiding them through complex ESG reporting challenges.

• Join a collaborative and forward-thinking team, making a meaningful impact on corporate sustainability and accountability.

• Enjoy a flexible and supportive work environment, with opportunities for ongoing learning and career progression.

Grow with Us

At Grant Thornton, we value fresh thinking, collaboration, and diversity. You will join a firm where your authentic self is valued, and your experience is respected. We are committed to fostering a work culture that encourages inclusivity, growth, and flexibility. Whether you are presenting complex sustainability topics or developing new technical guidance, we will support your development and celebrate your contributions.

Life at Grant Thornton

At Grant Thornton, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We work hard to ensure our teams feel valued, supported, and empowered to grow. You will be part of an inclusive and collaborative work environment, with the opportunity to deepen your skills and expertise, and the freedom to shape your own career.

Rewards and Benefits

Our rewards and benefits are designed to create an environment where our people can flourish. From competitive salary packages to health and wellness benefits, we provide everything you need to succeed. We also recognize and celebrate achievements through our **Shout Out** recognition scheme, whether it’s for a job well done, going above and beyond, or simply saying thank you.

Inclusion and Diversity

We believe that everyone should feel included and valued for their unique perspectives. Diversity of thought, background, and experience improves decision-making and helps us meet the needs of our clients. At Grant Thornton, we are committed to building a culture where you can bring your authentic self to work and be at your best.

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