About Australian Impact Investments

Australian Impact Investments is a recognised market pioneer and leader in providing specialist advice to clients mobilising capital for positive environmental and social impact alongside financial return. Our services enable clients to holistically manage investment portfolios to meet their financial and impact objectives, from conceptualising an investment strategy, originating, analysing and selecting investment opportunities, to portfolio management and shareholder advocacy. Our clients are among the first movers in impact investment in Australia, from individuals, multi-generational family offices and charitable foundations to institutional investors and wealth advisers.

Founded in 2014, investing for impact is all we do and all we have ever done. Our mission is to transform the paradigm for wealth creation and prove capital can be allocated to empower a better society and healthy planet, with our every action guided by our values – community, courage, excellence and humility. Our founding and majority shareholder is Ethinvest, Australia’s largest and oldest ethical investment advisory company and a certified B-Corporation.

You can read more about our work and approach in our 2021 Impact Report available here. Stay tuned for our 2022 Impact Report to be released early February (2 Feb - our 2022 Impact report is now launched and available here).

Position Description

The Senior Associate (ESG) is a key member of our team that, working alongside our Investment Director, leads our ESG research for investment opportunities in the public markets. We approach ESG from an investor’s perspective assessing how a company’s products, services or operations might impact people and planet, with ESG research being an important part of the service we provide our clients. You can read more about our approach to ESG in this LinkedIn article.

Guided by our proprietary frameworks, you will be responsible for our annual review and ongoing monitoring of responsible investment funds across domestic and international listed equities and bonds, identifying opportunities that align with the financial and impact objectives of our clients. You will also be responsible for screening the ASX 300 and preparing profiles on selected companies.

Some of the core skills you will use include:

• Data collection, analysis and research. You demonstrate a holistic approach to researching and analysing ESG and sustainability issues, using qualitative and quantitative data to identify trends, spot areas for further enquiry and distil key insights.

• Responsible and impact investing. You have a working understanding of investment strategies used to integrate impact into a diversified investment portfolio, impact measurement and management, and a strong drive for continuous improvement of the frameworks with which you work.

• Stakeholder engagement. You credibly engage and enjoy building relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including fellow colleagues, board-members, clients, fund managers, companies, and subject matter experts, appreciating differing needs, concerns and perspectives.

• Communication. You are an active listener and have excellent communication skills with the ability to explain complex information clearly, simply and concisely to internal and external audiences in verbal, written and presentation form. You enjoy actively participating in learning forums and sharing knowledge across the team and sector. 

• While the position is focused on listed equities and bonds, there will be opportunity to apply your skills to investment opportunities across private market assets.

The role provides a unique opportunity to be an integral part of a small, dynamic and highly respected team that is recognised as a market pioneer in the impact investment sector in Australia and internationally.

About You

The Senior Associate (ESG) will be aligned with the purpose and values of Australian Impact Investments, demonstrating an enthusiasm for the market-building and leadership we have embarked on since 2014 in a dynamic environment. You will demonstrate a passion for environmental and social impact and be naturally curious, knowledge hungry and comfortable working with ambiguity.

Desired qualifications and experience include:

• 5+ years research experience with a strong working knowledge of ESG and sustainability issues.

• Outstanding data collection, research and analysis skills, with ability to organise and work with large volumes of diverse data.

• Understanding of a broad range of investment structures, as well as appreciation of the investment strategies for achieving impact across a diversified investment portfolio.

• Demonstrable experience and comfortable in building and managing strong relationships across a diverse set of internal and external stakeholders by understanding and working through their needs.

• Excellent written and verbal communications skills, with unwavering focus on producing accurate, thoughtful and high-quality work to deadlines.

• Ability to work collaboratively within a team environment, unsupervised on specific tasks, as well as guide and mentor junior team members.

• Tertiary level education, with a provable ability for outstanding research.

An understanding of portfolio construction including strategic asset allocation, investment selection and risk profiling would be looked upon favourably.

How to Apply

Australian Impact Investments is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. All employment is based on qualifications, merit and business need. We encourage people from all cultural backgrounds and people with a lived experience of a disability to apply.

If you have the knowledge and experience we are looking for and are excited to contribute to our dynamic team, please apply via Applied where you will be asked to answer a series of situational based questions related to the role and skills we are looking for. Your answers will be anonymised to ensure unbiased review so please do not identify yourself in any of your responses.

All applications are to be received by no later than 11:59PM ADST 12 February 2023 and you must have full Australian working rights in place to be considered for the position.