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 Relationship Manager for Switzerland Responsible Investment Ecosystems will be responsible for enhancing Responsible Investment awareness in Switzerland and Liechtenstein and for providing investors with the tools to implement it in their investment process. This incorporates convening signatories and stakeholders in individual markets, supporting signatory progression through outreach and advice, and supporting meaningful policy outreach within those markets. 

The role involves the management of the PRI’s recruitment of new signatories and the coverage of our existing signatory base in the region as well as the coordination and local implementation of global PRI initiatives to drive progressive signatory action. It offers scope for regular domestic and occasional international travel primarily for signatory meetings, industry events and internal meetings. The successful candidate will start by covering for a parental leave. Extension for the role will be considered at the end of the fixed duration contract.

The Relationship Manager for Switzerland Responsible Investment Ecosystems role provides a really exciting opportunity to take responsibility for driving awareness of the latest responsible investment practices across Switzerland and Liechtenstein. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to join a growing, inclusive team which forms part of the wider Responsible Investment Ecosystem team. This provides a fantastic environment to help lead initiatives and share ideas with other relationship managers and country heads representing parts of the world at very different stages in their ESG journey.   

It is a great time to be joining the PRI as it is currently experiencing sharp growth in both its presence and membership around the world where responsible investment has now entered the mainstream; our aim over the next 10 years is to bring responsible investors together to work towards sustainable markets that contribute to a more prosperous world for all – working at the PRI, who are supported by the UN, is a direct contribution to this mission.  

Core Responsibilities:

• The Relationship Manager for Switzerland will have the following core responsibilities;

• Raise awareness of Responsible Investment amongst regional asset owners, investment managers, service providers and other PRI stakeholders

• Signatory engagement: develop engagement with Swiss signatories through successful new signatory on-boarding, signatory review meetings, reporting and assessment sessions and other PRI-supported events.

• Outreach: Target the recruitment of new signatories amongst public and corporate pension plans, sovereign wealth funds, insurers, endowments/foundations as well as key investment managers and consultants

• Stakeholders: Strengthen relationships with key targeted stakeholders in the region to support the development of responsible investment locally

• Team Collaboration: Aid in overall team effectiveness by contributing to team meetings and by collaborating with other relationship managers and country heads within the Responsible Investment Ecosystem team.

• Working across PRI: Collaborate and develop strong working relationships with PRI’s other teams on Swiss market-related issues, in particular Policy, Sustainable Systems and Investor Initiatives, ensuring the latest PRI tools and guidance are taken to the local signatory base as appropriate.

• Events: Represent PRI at relevant events to help raise the organisation’s profile in the region and help showcase relevant recent research, initiatives and guides.

• Projects/Working Groups: Assist on strategic and/or ad hoc projects to develop and enhance the understanding of key Swiss market issues and players amongst colleagues

• Local Market Business plans: Support in delivering against the team’s business plan and budget in addition to contributing to building out a clear picture on their local market via provision of data, knowledge of local trends etc. 

Person Specification

• Experience working in the asset management and/or the financial sector, preferably within the Asset Owner or Investment Management community.

• Ideally with knowledge and experience of the Institutional investment space/players in the Swiss markets

• Demonstrates a strong interest in responsible investment, sustainability, environmental, social and governance issues and their overall impact on the long term investment outcomes and society

• Proven business development and relationship management skills, preferably within the financial sector or within other service-based industries such as management consulting

• Language Skills: German is highly desirable but not essential. Professional command and excellent written and verbal communication skills in English in addition, French would also be advantageous.

• Excellent networking, relationship management and interpersonal skills, extensive network in Responsible Investment and/or ESG related fields

• A collaborative and consultative approach to working with others, working closely with London-based colleagues to deliver mutually agreed solutions supporting PRI’s agenda

• Good team player, with experience working internationally with a strong partnership ethos.  Committed to fostering an inclusive environment

• At least intermediate knowledge of relevant IT/system skills - Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and CRM systems (PRI uses Salesforce), social media, webinars, etc.)

• International travel may be required.

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.

The PRI is committed to offering flexibility to our employees, both formal (e.g. part-time work) and informal (e.g. a shift in hours to accommodate caring responsibilities). Please talk to us about how we could make this role flexible for you.

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.