About the PRI

The PRI is the world’s leading proponent of responsible investment. It works to understand the investment implications of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors and to support its international network of investor signatories in incorporating these factors into their investment and ownership decisions.

The PRI’s three distinct capabilities relate to the core elements of the PRI’s approach to achieving a sustainable financial system.

• Translate RI (Responsible Investment) thought leadership into insights and practical support that is tailored to what signatories need to progress their RI practice

• Convene our vast network to create opportunities for collaborative action

• Harness our global scale to influence policymakers and regulators to effect system change

 Job Description

The Senior Lead, Climate, is the PRI’s leading expert on climate change mitigation and adaptation. They are responsible for informing and setting the PRI’s substantive positions on addressing climate risk, opportunities and addressing the net zero transition that is critical for meeting the Paris agreement.

The role is responsible for determining a clear and implementable set of climate change related priorities for responsible investors to form part of the PRI’s single systems change plan. This includes determining priorities related to responsible investment practices and initiatives, global policy and activities in regions and individual markets.

In doing so, the Senior Lead, Climate, will be informed about developments on climate change across all the PRI’s activities as well as developments outside the PRI, including in peer organisations and governments.

The Senior Lead, Climate, reports to the Director, ESG Issues for all operational matters, and will work closely with other climate change experts in PRI, drawing on their inputs in setting PRI’s priorities.

Core Responsibilities:

• Support the Director ESG Issues, delivering against the team’s business plan and budget

• Provide regular reporting to the Director of ESG Issues and Chief Sustainable Systems Officer as required

• Responsibility for developing the PRI’s substantive positions on climate change, in line with the PRI’s strategy.

• Ensure, through engagement and monitoring, that the substance and priorities of the PRI’s change plan as it relates to climate change are clearly and consistently represented in activities by the Products and Practices, Initiatives, Policy and RI Eco-systems functions.

• Determine the objectives and scope of the PRI’s research and peer organisation engagement priorities on climate change mitigation and adaptation in line with the PRI’s strategy.

• Work with the Head Climate and Environment and other colleagues as required in developing climate inputs into PRI’s Change Plan,  in developing PRI’s house positions on climate change, and on the delivery of research and engagement activities.

• Work with the Director ESG issues and other PRI directors as required in developing PRI’s Single Change Plan.

• Maintain and facilitate open exchange and dialogue with signatories and key stakeholder groups that contribute to strategic objectives for PRI’s work on climate change.

• Engage with the Executive and PRI Board as required on the PRI’s climate change priorities and activities.

• Represent PRI externally on the PRI’s approach to climate change in signatory engagement, high level meetings and with the media.

•  Note: This role will not perform detailed government or regulatory policy design. It will play an expert, supporting role to the Policy and Eco-systems teams in engagement with governments and regulators on policy reform.

Person Specification

• Technical expertise and thought leadership in mitigating and adapting to climate change through the economy and investment.

• The ability to use evidence to inform policy and programming including the use of political economy analysis

• International influence and diplomacy, thinking and working  politically and cooperatively through appropriate challenge to shape norms and approaches

• Brokering working relationships with governments, civil society and private sector, research organisations and professional bodies.

• Communicating, influencing and leading technical evidence informed process and engagement

• Systems thinking, recognises inter-linkages, real world dynamics and complexity to help design effective policy.

• Excellent written communication and verbal presentation skills

• A collaborative and consultative approach to working with others & committed to fostering an inclusive environment 

• Demonstrates a commitment to developing others and a growth mindset, actively pursuing continuous profession and personal development

• Excellent networking, relationship management and interpersonal skills and experience of building strong and productive relationships

• Advanced programme management skills, with experience in delivering complex projects successfully, including directing others that may not be your direct reports

• As this is a global role, international travel may be required

• Language skills, other than English, are desirable

We particularly welcome candidates from under-represented groups, including Black, Asian, and other People of Colour, those with visible or non-visible disabilities, LGBTQ+ candidates and those who are neurodivergent.

N.B. We reserve the right to close a vacancy before the closing date in the event of an overwhelming response or a change in business priorities.