BBVA is a global company with more than 160 years of history that operates in more than 25 countries where we serve more than 80 million customers. We are more than 121,000 professionals working in multidisciplinary teams with profiles as diverse as financiers, legal experts, data scientists, developers, engineers and designers.
About the job:Top-tier European bank with a growing and strategically important U.S. platform is seeking a highly qualified ESG Subject Matter Expert (Senior Associate to Vice President level) to join the Corporate & Investment Banking (CIB) Risk Management team. This position is critical in advancing BBVA’s leadership in sustainable finance and embedding ESG and climate risk analysis into the bank’s credit underwriting and portfolio risk management processes.
The ideal candidate will bring 5–10 years of experience in credit risk, sustainable finance, ESG research, or related fields, preferably within a Corporate and Investment Banking environment. This role will work closely with GRM USA and global ESG risk counterparts to provide in-depth analysis of environmental, social, and governance factors that may affect the financial, reputational, or regulatory risk profile of corporate clients and transactions.
The ESG SME will be instrumental in supporting the execution of BBVA’s sustainability strategy by contributing to client and transaction-level assessments, ESG scoring, sectoral risk evaluations, climate alignment tracking, and compliance with evolving ESG frameworks and regulations. The role requires a solid grounding in financial analysis, combined with a strong understanding of sustainability and climate-related risks across key sectors.
BBVA is a recognized global leader in sustainable banking and impact-driven finance. We support our clients in the transition to a low-carbon economy, promote inclusive growth, and contribute meaningfully to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The successful candidate will join a values-driven institution committed to generating positive environmental and social impact through responsible banking practices.
Certifications such as GARP Sustainability and Climate Risk (SCR) or CFA ESG Investing are highly valued, though not required.
About the Role:
BBVA is seeking an experienced ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) Subject Matter Expert (SME) to join its Corporate & Investment Banking (CIB) Risk division in the U.S. This newly created role reflects BBVA’s ongoing commitment to sustainability and aims to formalize and elevate ESG integration within our credit risk and client onboarding processes.
As ESG continues to shape the landscape of corporate finance, the ESG SME will serve as a pivotal advisor and implementation leader, working in close collaboration with credit underwriters, risk managers, and sector teams to ensure ESG considerations are fully embedded in BBVA’s investment and lending decisions. The ESG SME will apply advanced knowledge of sustainability risks, climate frameworks, and regulatory standards to support the credit evaluation of corporate and institutional clients.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead the incorporation of ESG and climate-related risks into the credit analysis process for corporate and institutional clients.
- Ensure that all sustainability-related data is accurately collected, validated, and utilized in the credit memo process.
- Partner with underwriters to interpret sector-specific ESG risks and opportunities and reflect these in credit decisions.
- Support alignment of client assessments with global sustainability frameworks and internal decarbonization strategies.
- Act as a primary liaison between U.S. Risk teams and global ESG Risk functions on complex ESG issues, policy interpretations, or transaction reviews.
- Analyze environmental and social risks during client onboarding and transaction evaluation stage, including the calculation of the internal ESG risk score.
- Review client decarbonization or transition plans to assess alignment with BBVA’s climate goals.
- Contribute to sectoral policy development and risk appetite definition based on ESG risk exposure.
- Provide training and guidance to credit analysts and bankers on tool usage and ESG factor interpretation.
- Collaborate with data teams to ensure that ESG data is properly mapped and maintained across systems.
- Support reporting teams with ESG-related data for regulatory submissions, internal dashboards, and portfolio-level risk analyses (e.g., PCAF, scenario analysis).
- Identify data gaps or quality issues and initiate corrective actions with relevant stakeholders.
- Participate in internal committees and external forums focused on sustainability in financial services.
- Stay abreast of evolving ESG regulatory frameworks, voluntary standards, and investor expectations.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree required; Master’s degree or equivalent experience in ESG, Sustainability, Finance, Environmental Science, or a related field preferred.
- Minimum 5–7 years of experience in ESG risk, sustainable finance, credit risk management, or related roles within a financial institution.
- Strong understanding of ESG assessment methodologies, climate risk analysis (physical and transition risk), and regulatory frameworks (e.g., TCFD, PCAF, SFDR).
- Familiarity with sector-specific sustainability issues, especially in high-impact industries.
- Experience working with ESG data platforms, scenario modeling tools, or portfolio alignment tools is a plus.
- Excellent analytical, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Proficiency in Spanish is a plus
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.
With respect to this position in our New York Office, the expected base salary ranges from $150,000 to $175,000. It is not typical for offers to be made at or near the top of the range. Salary offers are based on a wide range of factors including relevant skills, training, experience, education, and, where applicable, certifications obtained. Market and organizational factors are also considered. In addition to salary and a generous employee benefits package, successful candidates are eligible to receive a discretionary bonus.
*Employment eligibility to work with BBVA in the U.S. is required as the company will not pursue visa sponsorship for these positions
Legal requirementsIt is not typical for offers to be made at or near the top of the range. Salary offers are based on a wide range of factors including relevant skills, training, experience, education, and, where applicable, certifications obtained. Market and organizational factors are also considered. In addition to salary and a generous employee benefits package, successful candidates are eligible to receive a discretionary bonus.
Pay Transparency Policy Statement
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information (41 C.F.R. 60-1.35 (c)).
Individuals with Disabilities
BBVA USA, BBVA Securities Inc., and BBVA S.A. New York Branch invite all interested and qualified applicants to apply for employment opportunities. If you are a U.S.-based job seeker with a disability who is unable to use our online tools to search and apply for jobs, please contact us by emailing: [email protected] or by calling toll-free (in the U.S.) 1-844-664-9275. Please indicate the specific type of assistance needed*.
*The disability access telephone line and email address are reserved solely for job seekers with disabilities requesting accessibility assistance or an accommodation. Please do not call about the status of your job application if you do not require accessibility assistance or an accommodation. Messages left for other purposes, such as following up on an application or non-disability related or technical issues, will not receive a response.
EEO Statement
BBVA USA, BBVA Securities Inc., and BBVA S.A. New York Branch have a firm and unwavering policy to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to age, citizenship, color, disability, ethnic origin, gender, gender identity and expression, marital status, nationality, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic predisposition, protected veteran status, or any other status or classification protected by federal, state or local law. This policy includes all job groups, classifications and organizational units. With regard to employment, this policy extends to applicants and covers our recruiting, hiring, promotion, transfer, demotion, discipline, termination, benefits, compensation and training practices as well as social and recreational activities.
View the "EEO is the Law" & "View the EEO is the Law Supplement Poster" poster. BBVA USA, BBVA Securities, Inc., and BBVA NY are equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.
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