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 acts in the long-term interests of its signatories, of the financial markets and economies in which they operate and ultimately of the environment and society as a whole. The PRI is truly independent. It encourages investors to use responsible investment to enhance returns and better manage risks but does not operate for its own profit; it engages with global policymakers but is not associated with any government; it is supported by, but not part of, the United Nations.

Working at the PRI provides an opportunity to engage with highly motivated, culturally diverse professionals on a wide range of cutting-edge issues. The PRI provides scope for development at all levels with opportunities for project leadership and management working alongside some of the most influential signatories and leaders across financial markets and economies. In combination with a supportive culture that encourages continuous learning and flexible working policies, PRI is a highly engaging place to work on truly transformative issues.

This is an opportunity to work on the cutting edge of climate action, alongside some of the most influential investors and leaders across financial markets. Join a global and motivated Stewardship team that works to deliver substantial real change in our global economy, society and the environment.

This is an opportunity to work on the cutting edge of climate action, alongside some of the most influential investors and leaders across financial markets. Join a global and motivated Stewardship team that works to deliver substantial real change in our global economy, society and the environment.

This position will work Climate Action 100+, one of PRI’s flagship projects and one of the largest and most influential collaborative investor initiatives of all time.

The PRI’s Stewardship team is responsible for:

Coordinating collaborative investor engagement activities on environmental, social and governance issues with companies;

Defining and providing guidance on best practice stewardship; and

Addressing system barriers that inhibit quality stewardship.

Job description

Stewardship is one of the most powerful mechanisms by which investors and their agents can contribute to the achievement of the PRI’s mission: the creation of a sustainable financial system which benefits the environment and society as a whole. The role is an exciting opportunity to contribute to work that will encourage and enable PRI signatories to fully realise the potential of stewardship to drive real-world outcomes on topics including climate change and the SDGs.

This role will primarily support the PRI’s stewardship activities on climate change, with a particular focus on the Climate Action 100+. CA100+ is an investor initiative to ensure the world’s largest corporate greenhouse gas emitters take necessary action on climate change to align their businesses with a net-zero emissions world.

The role may also extend to coordinating with other PRI climate/policy initiatives such as the Investor Agenda, UN AOA, IPR (where relevant/needed).

The role will report into the Head of Stewardship, Climate Change who oversees the PRI’s activities on CA100+.

Core Responsibilities:

■       Support coordination of the PRI CA100+ Global Engagement Working Group, which includes 40 companies in North America, Europe, Latin America and Africa across a range of sectors (Aviation, Chemicals, Construction & Heavy Industrials, Consumer Products & Paper/Timber, Energy, Mining and Shipping).

■       Manage and/or contribute to other CA100+ initiative-wide projects (as needed), such as benchmarking, sector work/research, signatory accountability, webinars, progress report, etc.

■       Convene and facilitate regular engagement group meetings/calls to track the progress of engagements, discuss issues and share information.

■       Facilitate the CA100+’s periodic reporting processes, in conjunction with the other networks, to ensure investor accountability.

■       Work to identify and implement improvements to collaborative engagement processes, including shareholder resolutions and proxy voting.

■       Contribute on an ad hoc basis to projects relating to the Active Ownership 2.0 programme and to PRI’s work on addressing system barriers to effective stewardship.

■       Conduct and/or disseminate relevant company/sector research, guidance, and other analysis for investors to use in company engagements both within and beyond CA100+.

■       Work closely with other PRI climate engagement staff to ensure that various initiatives (both inside and outside of the CA100+) are aligned and coordinated.

■       Build relationships with investors to maintain and expand expertise of engagement practices, best practices and needs.

■       Speak publicly at events, both digital and in person, on CA100+, stewardship and the PRI’s work more generally.

 Analytical

•Proactively offers impartial specialist knowledge, insights or input

•Uses business/ specialist knowledge and analysis to identify issues, applying fact-based insight to develop and evaluate solutions or solve issues

•Maintains a professional and impartial stance in assessing all information which feeds into decision making

•Balances rigour with pragmatism in conducting analyses that are fit for purpose

•Effectively reviews and quality-checks all analyses

Business Awareness

Focuses on maximising Signatory or operational value and driving PRI outcomes

•Actively keeps up to date with developments both within the organisation and within area of specialism

•Balances the internal needs of the PRI and that of Signatory Organisations to deliver outputs

•Understands how own area of specialism drives value to the PRI and meets its mission

Collaborative

•Builds consensus and trust with all that engage with

•Is responsive to feedback proactively following up to ensure any issues are resolved

•Where requested, engages with colleagues to gain a broader understanding of issues and seeks to respond to or resolve them

•Provides specialist knowledge and insights to colleagues where requested

Communicative

•Translates specialist information or provides technical expertise in a clear and understandable format

•Clarifies matters by absorbing and understanding relevant information and feeding them back in concise terms

•Uses effective listening and questioning to enhance understanding of complex issues

•Engages the recipient using their language, tailoring communication style for the audience

Developmental

•Actively seeks opportunities to enhance specialist knowledge/ experience

•Constantly reviews own work with the aim of improving outputs

•Applies knowledge or experience to question practices and suggest alternatives

•Actively seeks and shares feedback wherever possible, as a means of improvement

•Uses best practice identified through external networks or evolutions in the field of specialism

Structured

•Has a strong sense of execution and delivery, working to agreed deadlines, involving relevant colleagues and allowing enough time for review and quality assurance

•Regularly monitors and reports on progress of work, providing regular updates as appropriate

•Takes a methodical approach to how specialist or technical knowledge is acquired and, distributed (where necessary)

•Captures knowledge at the end of each project/ process/activity, to use and share

Technical Competencies & Experience:

■       Investor and/or company engagement experience: good knowledge of responsible investment and understanding of asset owner and investment manager perspectives is preferred.

■       Experience of working on climate change and/or environment related issues is preferred. Regional and/or sector knowledge relevant to the PRI CA100+ Global Group (see job description above) is also beneficial.

■       Excellent project management skills, with ability to multi-task, prioritise and manage multiple timelines. Experiences of report writing is beneficial.

■       Strong facilitation skills. Diplomacy, tact, and ability to build consensus.

■       Good networking, relationship management and interpersonal skills, including the ability to influence a diverse range of stakeholders from varying cultures and backgrounds.

■       Practical experience in investment management or related industry is advantageous.

■       A collaborative and consultative approach to working with others, committed to fostering an inclusive working environment.

■       Good knowledge of relevant IT (e.g. Excel, Word, PowerPoint and CRM software).

■       Excellent written communication and verbal presentation skills.

■       Fluent English. Other languages relevant to financial markets desirable.

■       Willingness and ability to travel, including internationally.