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.

Job Description

Supporting investors, policymakers and other stakeholders to advance responsible investment in Japan is a strategic priority for the PRI. As the world’s third largest economy and fifth largest emitter of GHGs , Japan is expected to make a substantial contribution to addressing global challenges such as climate change and inequality. Policymakers also recognise that sustainable finance will be key for Japan to increase its attractiveness as a global financial market and to achieve sustainable growth.

With close to 100 signatories and newly published recommendations by PRI to promote investment policy reform in the country’s pension system, improve investor engagement with policy makers, and accelerate the transition to net zero emissions economy, the Head of Japan will be responsible for leading efforts to enhance responsible investment implementation and promote sustainable finance policy reform in Japan. The role involves the direct management of PRI’s signatory recruitment and engagement strategy, as well as oversight and coordination of PRI’s wider activities in Japan.  It offers scope for domestic and occasional international travel primarily for signatory meetings, industry events and internal meetings.  As  Head of the team, you will be responsible for managing and coaching staff, leading on recruitment and market outreach, and promoting a culture of learning and development across the team.  Currently the Japan team is made up of 6 staff, including representatives from the PRI’s Signatory Relations, Climate Change and Policy teams. This role reports to the Director of Asia Pacific.

Core Responsibilities:

■ Tailor and implement the PRI’s global 3-year strategy and annual business plan for the Japanese market, in close coordination with the Director of Asia Pacific, local and regional colleagues from across the PRI.

■Lead the Signatory Relations function in Japan on a day-to-day basis, ensuring engagement, outreach and recruitment targets are met, and drawing on insights and contributions from members of the Japan Signatory Advisory Committee, as needed.

■ Provide oversight and management of direct reports, supporting their development and managing their performance effectively, while ensuring close collaboration with the wider PRI Japan team.

■ Represent the PRI at external events, speaking engagements and media opportunities

■ Coordinate with the Senior Lead, Japan, to capture additional insights and expertise to advance the PRI’s ambitious climate, policy and stewardship work, as needed

■ Provide regular reporting to the Director of Asia Pacific and Chief Signatory Relations Officer

Core Competencies:

PRI expects roles at a ‘Head level’ within the organisation to demonstrate management skills across the following core competencies:

Analytical

• Ensures decision makers have all relevant and available information in a timely manner before decisions are made​

• Evaluates risks, issues and opportunities assessing probability and consequences on both short- and long-term basis​

• Simplifies issues and actions down to key factors and components for ease of use in decision making​

• Can effectively capture and structure ill-defined or vague problems and is comfortable handling uncertainty​

Business Awareness

• Reflects broader understanding of the PRI’s financial, legal and people frameworks in decision making ​

• Understands (and utilises) how the different teams within the PRI contribute to the PRI mission and Signatory value ​

• Understands where the key decision points and points of influence are, advising team members how to act accordingly​

• Prioritises the delivery of PRI objectives within the team ​

• Identifies any conflicts in PRI priorities taking appropriate action where required

Collaborative

• Develops collaborative working relationships breaking down silos and promoting collaborative working by team members​

• Identifies and leads initiatives for building team profile internally and promotes links with other teams ​

• Recognises and acts on non-verbal communication, understanding what is and what is not said in a conversation​

• Proactively develops partnerships that do not currently exist in areas of mutual benefit

Communicative

• Takes a creative and inclusive approach to problem solving that broadens the teams thinking​

• Uses the most effective influencing style to challenge or build consensus (across teams, within teams or upwards)​

• Appreciates the impact of their communication on others, modifying behaviour and communication style to work in different situations​

• Translates complex data that is potentially challenging for the audience and presents it in a way that enables understanding​

Developmental

• Role models continuous, balanced and honest feedback to others​

• Builds a collaborative team environment which values the sharing of forward thinking, creative solutions and innovation​

• Delegates responsibility to more junior team members to develop their capabilities​

• Coaches less experienced team members/ colleagues to help them to be more successful​

• Creates opportunities to develop and train the team to improve their skills and knowledge​

Structured

• Translates project objectives into team work plans​

• Judges how to balance team capacity and where to prioritise effort​

• Embeds project management processes in team, leading by example and clearly defining team roles, responsibilities and expectations​

• Regularly monitors progress within the team, addressing and resolving issues as they arise​

Technical Competencies & Experience:

■ Significant past experience in the asset management and/or financial sector).

■ Advantageous knowledge and experience would include understanding of the institutional investment space in Japan and globally and a background in investment.

■ Strong interest in responsible investment, sustainability, environmental, social and governance issues, and their overall impact on 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. 

■ Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and Japanese; demonstrable experience in public speaking, giving presentations and leading meetings with investment executives at all levels and their trustees/Boards.

■ 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; Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification; Master’s degree in one or more relevant fields and/or a recognised investment qualification desirable.

■ Well-developed people management skills and experience

■ Excellent written communication and verbal presentation skills

■ A collaborative and consultative approach to working with others, the ability to foster an inclusive working environment

■ Excellent networking, relationship management and interpersonal skills

■ IT/system skills - Microsoft Office, CRM (PRI uses Salesforce), social media, webinars, etc.

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

Please see Link below for JD in Japanese.

JP_Job description - Head of Japan - Dec21 FINAL.docx (sharepoint.com)