Director, ESG

The ESG Director is responsible for leading Coherent’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategy, reporting, customer engagement, sustainability initiatives, and operational ESG execution programs across the global organization. This position partners closely with operations, EHS, procurement, engineering, finance, legal, quality, and business leadership to support scalable ESG execution aligned with customer expectations, regulatory requirements, and corporate objectives.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

Strategic Planning

• Develop and support execution of Coherent’s global ESG strategy aligned with operational priorities, customer expectations, and long-term sustainability objectives. 
• Support development of measurable ESG goals, roadmaps, and annual operating plans.  
• Monitor emerging ESG trends, regulations, customer expectations, and reporting requirements. 
• Provide recommendations to leadership regarding ESG risks, opportunities, and operational priorities

ESG Program Management

• Lead development, implementation, and continuous improvement of ESG programs, standards, policies, and reporting processes. 
• Coordinate annual ESG reporting activities, sustainability disclosures, and customer ESG assessments. 
• Oversee Responsible Business Alliance (RBA) coordination activities, corrective action tracking, and customer sustainability audit support. 
• Ensure ESG-related processes and reporting systems are standardized, scalable, and operationally effective. 
• Support integration of ESG initiatives into manufacturing, supply chain, and operational activities.

Sustainability and Climate Programs

• Coordinate greenhouse gas emissions reporting activities including Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 programs. 
• Support renewable energy initiatives, climate strategy activities, and operational sustainability projects. 
• Partner with procurement, facilities, operations, and engineering teams on sustainability-related initiatives and customer requirements. 
• Monitor evolving sustainability reporting standards and climate disclosure requirements. 

Customer and External Engagement

• Coordinate responses to customer ESG requests, sustainability questionnaires, RBA assessments, and environmental compliance inquiries. 
• Support customer ESG audits and operational sustainability reviews. 
• Represent Coherent in ESG-related meetings, conferences, customer engagements, and industry forums. 
• Support communication of ESG initiatives, progress, and performance metrics internally and externally. 

Compliance and Risk Management

• Monitor ESG-related regulations, customer standards, and reporting requirements to ensure organizational readiness and compliance. 
• Support ESG risk assessments and corrective action planning activities. 
• Coordinate closure activities related to ESG audit findings, customer assessments, and sustainability action items. 
• Support ESG due diligence activities associated with acquisitions, expansions, and strategic projects. 

Team Leadership and Collaboration

• Lead ESG personnel and support ESG coordinators across regions and business groups.  
• Partner closely with EHS regional leaders, operations, quality, procurement, legal, HR, and finance teams. 
• Foster operational ownership and accountability for ESG initiatives throughout the organization. 
• Participate in global EHS and ESG operating reviews and leadership meetings.

Administrative Oversight

• Prepare ESG KPI reports, executive summaries, and leadership presentations. 
• Maintain systems for tracking ESG initiatives, audit findings, corrective actions, and reporting deliverables. 
• Support continuous improvement of ESG reporting processes, governance systems, and operational execution. 
• Ensure timely and accurate completion of ESG-related customer requests and regulatory submissions. 

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Sustainability, Engineering, Business, or related field required. Master’s degree preferred. 
• Minimum 10+ years of experience in ESG, sustainability, EHS, compliance, operations, or related disciplines. 
• Experience supporting ESG programs within global manufacturing or high technology industries preferred. 
• Strong knowledge of ESG frameworks, sustainability reporting, RBA requirements, and customer ESG expectations. 
• Experience leading cross-functional operational initiatives and reporting programs. 
• Experience with ISO14001, ISO45001, ISO50001, sustainability reporting frameworks, customer compliance programs, and ESG data management systems preferred. 
• Experience with Microsoft Office applications including Power BI and AI tools preferred. 

Skills & Other Requirements

• Strong strategic thinking and operational execution capabilities. 
• Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder engagement skills. 
• Strong analytical, organizational, and project management skills. 
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams in a global environment. 
• Ability to balance operational realities with long-term sustainability objectives. 
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and organizational stakeholders. 
• High level of professionalism, ethics, accountability, and leadership capability. 

Working Conditions

• Manufacturing and office environment depending on location. 
• Domestic and international travel up to 25%. 
• Ability to work full-time during core business hours in an in-office setting. 
• Ability to work extended hours when necessary to support business or customer requirements. 

Safety Requirements

All employees are required to attend scheduled training, follow site EHS procedures, and comply with Coherent EHS standards, including use of required personal protective equipment (PPE).

Managers will ensure applicable safety and environmental procedures are followed consistently and that appropriate training, risk assessments, and compliance activities are maintained.

Quality and Environmental Responsibilities

Depending on location, this position may be responsible for the execution and maintenance of the ISO 9000, 9001, 14001 and/or other applicable standards that may apply to the relevant roles and responsibilities within the Quality Management System and Environmental Management System.

Culture Commitment

Ensure adherence to company’s values (ICARE) in all aspects of your position at Coherent Corp.:

Integrity – Create an Environment of Trust

Collaboration – Innovate Through the Sharing of Ideas

Accountability – Own the Process and the Outcome

Respect – Recognize the Value in Everyone

Enthusiasm – Find a Sense of Purpose in Work

Coherent Corp. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

About UsCoherent is a global leader in lasers, engineered materials and networking components. We are a vertically integrated manufacturing company that develops innovative products for diversified applications in the industrial, optical communications, military, life sciences, semiconductor equipment, and consumer markets. Coherent provides a comprehensive career development platform within an environment that challenges employees to perform at their best, while rewarding excellence and hard-work through a competitive compensation program. It's an exciting opportunity to work for a company that offers stability, longevity and growth. Come Join Us!
Note to recruiters and employment agencies: We will not pay for unsolicited resumes from recruiters and employment agencies unless we have a signed agreement and have required assistance, in writing, for a specific opening.