Lead Counsel Sustainability, ESG – Motion Business Area

About ABB

At ABB, we help industries outrun - leaner and cleaner. Here, progress is an expectation - for you, your team, and the world. As a global market leader, we'll give you what you need to make it happen. It won't always be easy; growing takes grit. But at ABB, you'll never run alone. Run what runs the world.

ABB Motion, a global leader in motors and drives, is at the core of accelerating a more productive and sustainable future. We innovate and push the boundaries of technology to contribute to energy efficient, decarbonizing, and circular solutions for customers, industries, and societies. With our digitally enabled drives, motors and services we support our customers and partners to achieve better performance, safety and reliability. Building on over 140 years of domain expertise in electric powertrains, our more than 22,000 employees across 100 countries learn and improve every day.

About the Role

As Lead Counsel Sustainability, ESG within ABB's Motion Business Area, you act as the subject matter expert on all legal and integrity matters related to sustainability. In this role, you provide strategic legal support across all Divisions, partnering closely with both Group and Business Area Legal & Integrity and Sustainability functions, and Division General Counsels. You coordinate sustainability & ESG-related legal topics, interpret evolving regulations, and embed compliance into governance frameworks, processes, and contracts - enabling business success.

Reports to: Head of Integrity, Regulatory Affairs & Data Privacy for the Motion Business Area

Location: Warrington, UK and Sesto San Giovanni, Italy (preferred); this position is open globally

Work model: Hybrid

Key Responsibilities

• Shape and support the sustainability and ESG legal strategy for the Motion Business Area and its Divisions, based upon multiple inputs, including the minimum requirements set by the Group
• Design and maintain a governance framework within the Motion Business Area to interpret and implement Sustainability and ESG regulatory requirements, defining clear processes and cross-functional responsibilities across L&I, Sustainability, GRPA, Finance, SCM, HR etc.
• Execute leadership in monitoring and reporting changes in law, regulation, guidance, legal risk, market developments and trends relating to Sustainability/ESG relevant to ABB Motion
• Provide expert day-to-day legal advice and guidance on Sustainability regulations and compliance across the Business Area
• Drive continuous improvement and ensure the relevant Sustainability regulatory requirements are translated into applicable processes and contracts
• Lead the development of contract standards, templates, and guidelines in collaboration with the Division General Counsels, Corporate Center of Expertise, and other legal teams
• Ensure all contract templates comply with legal standards and internal policies and procedures
• Review, draft, and support negotiation of contracts in partnership with Divisions and Legal Counsels
• Design training materials and curricula related to Sustainability regulations; support Divisions in delivering training and guidance to the business
• Deliver timely legal support in critical situations, including geopolitical events with potential business impact
• Monitor regulatory trends and act as a recognized expert on sustainability law and compliance
• Promote best practice sharing, collaborate cross-Business Area and ensure harmonized processes across the Motion Business Area
• Support investigations of potential ESG breaches or incidents, including ABB's Supplier Code of Conduct, and advise on any responses

Qualifications

• Master's degree in law with substantial experience and interest in sustainability related topics
• Minimum 10 years of professional experience, ideally in a global, cross-functional environment - either in-house or at a reputable law firm
• Exceptional negotiation and stakeholder management skills, grounded in collaboration, transparency, and legal knowledge
• Strong advocacy and communication skills - both written and verbal - with the ability to navigate complex, high-pressure situations and balance competing interests
• Proven ability to draft and negotiate contracts at a global level
• Fluent in English, with excellent presentation and networking capabilities
• Self-driven and able to work independently
• Demonstrates the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and commitment to quality

Why ABB

Working at ABB gives you the opportunity to contribute to a healthier and more prosperous world. Add to your story by joining a passionate team, focused on pushing the boundaries of technology to drive performance, shape new business models and find new ways of working that benefit our customers, partners and society. We want you to be proud of being part of ABB.

We Care

At ABB, we care about our people and their stories. We create safe, fair, equitable and inclusive working environments in which our people can succeed and develop, regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation or cultural, religious or social background. Diverse teams make us stronger. ABB is also committed to a high standard of integrity in everything we do.

We Grow

We help our people succeed and develop, and we empower them to create their own careers at ABB. Our benefits, reward and development programs encompass a wide array of offerings.

How to Apply

Do you want to shape the future, together with us? Get more insights into our recruitment process and find some helpful tips and tricks how to join the team. Make our story your story.

We value people from different backgrounds. Could this be your story? Apply today or visit careers.abb to read more about us and learn about the impact of our solutions across the globe.