Interview 1: 7 December 2020

Interview 2: 14 December 2020

Ideal start date: Monday 4th January 2021

Duration: 2-year fixed contract

 Line Manager: Policy Director

About the Institute 

More and more people want to use their capital in a way that benefits society and the environment as well as generating a financial return. At the same time, there remain entrenched social challenges in the UK and around the world. The Impact Investing Institute is an independent, non-profit organisation which aims to make capital to work better for people.

We have a wide, global network across financial services, social enterprises, businesses, government and regulators. In partnership with our dedicated volunteers, we work to get the message out and bring people together through information sharing, events, guidance, research, and specific partnerships and projects - all dedicated to addressing the barriers that prevent more money from having a positive impact on people and planet.

More information on the Institute can be found on the website: www.impactinvest.org.uk 

The Institute offers a flexible working environment and excellent benefits. This includes a pension with a 10% contribution and 30 days annual leave. A higher starting salary may be available for an exceptional candidate.

The role

We are seeking an experienced professional, with knowledge of our field of work, able to take responsibility for significant elements of our work programme and to hit the ground running as soon as they start.

The role will ensure that the Institute continues to deliver high quality information, original research, events, policy advice and educational materials on impact investing. This will involve supporting the Lead Experts, who are senior industry professionals with specific areas of expertise, and other team members to plan, implement and drive the successful completion of the Institute’s projects.

Current projects include:

• A proposal for a ‘green+’ sovereign bond that would scale up the UK’s drive to a net-zero carbon economy with well-defined social and economic benefits. With partner organisations and significant backing from the financial services, we are advocating for government to issue the bond and also developing the proposal for international audiences.

• A campaign with the pensions industry to improve awareness of and competence in impact investing;

• The development of educational materials on impact investing for investment professionals, and engagement with key industry bodies to develop new professional training and qualifications;

• A research and engagement programme on mobilising more investment for place-based impact; and

• Policy and advocacy work on impact investing in key regulatory forums in the UK and internationally, including a key focus on impact reporting.

The Programme Manager will report to the Policy Director, who oversees the development and delivery of the Institute’s work programme alongside the Chief Executive. The Programme Manager will work closely with the Programme Manager for International Development, as well as across the team, particularly with the managers for Public Affairs, Communications and Engagement, and Events. They will be a key member of the Institute’s small staff, contributing to a productive, energetic and happy team.

To succeed in the role, you need to be committed to the belief that finance can be a force for positive change in society. We are looking for people who are strategic and creative, with excellent communication and engagement skills. You will also be experienced at programme management and stakeholder management.

Key responsibilities:

As Programme Manager you will help to deliver the Institute's work plan by leading on the following responsibilities for your areas:

• In partnership with the Institute’s Policy Director, Lead Experts and wider team, provide ongoing management as well as design of new projects. This includes:

  • Supporting the team, Lead Experts and partner organisations to help deliver projects. This could range from preparing materials and follow-ups for meetings, to writing policy papers, to organising events, to commissioning specialist research;

  • Managing the progress of each project, including resources, timing and risks, by maintaining an effective programme management system;

  • Identifying opportunities for new areas of work that will deliver on our objectives, and determining the rationale, scope, objectives, target outcomes, deliverables, resourcing, timeline, reporting and governance of each project; and

  • Sharing information about the programme in an efficient way across the team, as well as reporting to the Executive Team (the Chief Executive, Policy Director and Operations Manager) and, when required, the Board and our funders.

• Build and maintain a wide network of people and organisations engaged in the Institute’s work who can help it make progress against its objectives, and find ways to harness their support in delivering projects and amplifying our work.

• Work with the Communications and Engagement Manager and the Events Manager to design and deliver a programme of engaging events and a range of different communications on the work of the Institute.

• Contribute to key team decisions and activities, and to the efficient running of the organisation.

Person profile

Essential experience 

• Experience working in finance and / or on sustainable finance.

• Programme management, from design through to delivery – including the management and allocation of resources, tracking, and reporting and evaluation.

• Stakeholder management – engaging and working with a wide range of people from a variety of sectors.

Desirable experience

• Knowledge of key regulatory and policy issues.

Skills, abilities & attributes 

• Committed to the belief that finance can be a force for positive change in society.

• Able to be both strategic and detail-oriented.

• Highly organised and good at multi-tasking.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Self-starter, happy to take initiative.

• Confident working with people of different backgrounds and levels of seniority and embracing of diversity.

• Team player, seeking input from colleagues and celebrating successes as a group.

• Strong digital skills, including Microsoft Office 365 suite and MS Outlook.

Impact Investing Institute’s values

We look for colleagues who are committed to our values:

• Inclusiveness – the Institute is a welcoming place for practitioners, the public, volunteers and employees, which recognises and involves the voices of all involved in impact investment. It aims to have a diverse staff, Board and Advisory Council. It supports flexible working practices and, wherever possible, contracts for services from social enterprises.

• Independence – the Institute pursues an independent path in all its work, focusing on what is most useful to advance impact investing nationally and internationally, without regard to any one sector in the market. All the Institute’s output is available to other practitioners and the public.

• Integrity – the Institute’s staff, volunteers, Board and Advisory Council conduct their work and professional relationships with integrity, kindness and respect.

Please note:

• If you do not already hold the right to work in the UK and/or require sponsorship in order to continue working here, you should think carefully before applying.

• The Impact Investing Institute is committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity and is determined to ensure that no applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of gender, age, disability, religion, belief, sexual orientation, marital status, or race, or is disadvantaged by conditions or requirements which cannot be shown to be justifiable.