Global Head of Standards

ABOUT ACCOUNTABILITY:

AccountAbility is a leading global standards and consulting firm that works with businesses,

investors, governments, and multilateral organizations to innovate and advance the global

sustainability agenda by improving the practices, performance, and impact of organizations. We

focus on delivering practical, effective, and enduring results that enable our clients and

standards users to succeed. AccountAbility operates globally from offices in New York, London,

Riyadh, and Dubai, through a highly qualified team that has received awards and recognition by

the Financial Times, Forbes, and Capital Finance International.

Please visit our website to learn more about us and our work.

ABOUT THIS POSITION:

The Global Head of Standards serves as AccountAbility’s principal ambassador for the AA1000

Series, the firm’s flagship sustainability standards used by organizations and assurance

providers worldwide. Reporting to the CEO and serving on the senior leadership team, this

executive sets the technical and strategic direction for the standards globally, engages directly

with regulators, licensed assurance providers, and standard-setting bodies, and drives the

global growth, awareness, and adoption of the AA1000 Series. The role represents the firm

publicly across geographies and convenes the international community of regulators, standardsetters, assurance providers, training organizations, and adopting institutions. This is an

institutional leadership role at the intersection of standards, policy, and practice.

This role is based in New York, NY and requires in-office presence four (4) days per

week, with remote work flexibility on Fridays. Candidates must currently reside in the

New York metropolitan area or be willing to relocate to the New York metropolitan area at

their own expense prior to start. Remote and hybrid arrangements outside the New York

metropolitan area are not available.

The Global Head of Standards 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 will work with international businesses, governmental and nongovernmental organizations, standard setters, framework developers, regulators, assurance

providers, and professional institutes to advance the AA1000 Series of Standards. Successful

candidates will demonstrate (a) deep technical and policy expertise across the global

AccountAbility – Global Head of Standards 3 sustainability standards landscape; (b) outstanding ambassadorship and advocacy skills, with the diplomatic ability to represent the firm and lead multiple complex stakeholder engagements simultaneously; and (c) executive leadership experience at the institutional level.

The successful candidate will serve as the public face of the AA1000 Series of Standards,

raising awareness and promoting growth and global adoption of the standards through

sustained engagement with regulators, licensed assurance providers, training organizations,

and adopting companies worldwide. The role leads advocacy, ambassadorship, and convening

efforts across geographies, with travel as required.

Responsibilities for this position include, but are not limited to:

Standards Leadership & External Engagement

• Serve as AccountAbility’s primary ambassador and public spokesperson for the AA1000

Series, advancing brand awareness and global adoption

• Lead sustained engagement with global regulators, licensed assurance providers,

training organizations, and standard-setting bodies (e.g., ISSB, IAASB, EFRAG, IESBA,

AICPA, and equivalent institutions) to promote uptake and integration of the AA1000

Series

• Set the technical agenda for the AA1000 Series, including evolution, exposure drafts,

public consultations, and due process

• Convene international working groups, technical committees, and advisory panels

supporting standards development, dissemination, and assurance practice

• Lead the global promotion and growth of the AA1000 Series, 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, including the exchange of insights, best practices, and thought

leadership

• Cultivate strategic relationships with new and existing partners and adopters that

translate into long-term growth of the AA1000 Series

• Oversee and manage multiple stakeholder programs and team members simultaneously

to ensure high-quality, influential delivery

• Drive measurable growth in global adoption and implementation of the AA1000 Series

across priority markets and sectors

• Deliver against annual adoption metrics and associated revenue targets tied to

standards-related services, partnerships, and engagements

• 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 and ambassador through industry

events, publications, and speaking engagements

AccountAbility – Global Head of Standards 4

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, and decision-making

• Provide guidance and coaching to support learning and professional development of

staff members

• Facilitate a high standard of performance, quality, and delivery expectations

• Embrace and champion an inclusive and collaborative working environment

Firm and Operations

• Collaborate in executing AccountAbility’s global and regional strategy

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant sustainability and 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 global engagement 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 in

alignment with global regulatory and market trends

• Partner cross-functionally with internal teams to integrate standards into broader client

solutions and firm offerings

QUALIFICATIONS

The successful candidate will be an institutional leader and a natural ambassador with deep

technical and policy credibility in sustainability standards, regulation, or related research

disciplines. Candidates should be engaging and dynamic, demonstrate high emotional

intelligence and executive presence, and have a proven track record of building stakeholder

relationships at the most senior levels of standard-setting bodies, regulators, assurance

providers, and global institutions.

The following qualifications are required for consideration:

• 20+ years of experience, with the majority spent in standards-setting bodies, regulatory

institutions, sustainability assurance, academic research, or policy-focused roles, with a

focus on growing brand awareness and adoption of standards. Management consulting

experience is welcome as a complement but is not a substitute for direct standards,

regulatory, academic or research leadership.

AccountAbility – Global Head of Standards 5

• Demonstrated experience as an external-facing ambassador or spokesperson,

representing an institution to regulators, assurance providers, and senior global

stakeholders

• Demonstrated experience leading a global function, institutional program, or standardsetting initiative, with direct accountability for strategic and financial outcomes

• Track record of authored or co-authored standards, frameworks, or peer-reviewed

publications in sustainability, ESG, or related fields

• Existing senior-level relationships across sustainability standard-setting bodies,

accounting organizations, assurance providers, and regulatory institutions (e.g., ISSB,

IAASB, IESBA, AICPA, EFRAG, GRI, IFAC)

• Previously held a Managing Director, Partner, SVP, or equivalent executive role with

global or institutional scope; experience reporting to and briefing a CEO, board, or

governing council

• Excellent written skills, including technical standards drafting, associated

communications and presentations

• Excellent verbal communication skills for representing the firm through public speaking,

stakeholder / work groups, and meeting facilitation at the institutional level

• Master’s Degree, MBA, MA, MS, MPA, JD, or PhD preferred with a demonstrated

record of academic excellence. BA/BS degree required in Business Management,

Sustainability, Environmental Science, Accounting, Economics, Public Policy, or a

related field.

AccountAbility is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, committed to a diverse

and inclusive work environment