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 Responsible Investment (RI) 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

This is an exciting opportunity to join PRI’s Sustainability Initiatives team, supporting and helping to facilitate investor action on the global transition to net zero.

This role will manage a small team working on the Net Zero Asset Owners Alliance (NZAOA), as well as co-ordinating and overseeing the interactions between the net zero alliances and the policy space (within PRI and externally).

The PRI acts as a Secretariat for a number of net zero initiatives, including NZAOA, and the Net Zero Asset Managers (NZAM). This role will report to the Head of Net Zero Initiatives and Collaboration to provide programme management, in close coordination with key partners and building effective programmes to support the broader signatory base on climate.

We are looking for a manager with policy specialist experience and desirably also with programme management with a passion for sustainability, and climate in particular, to lead on this work in a fast-paced work environment. The successful candidate will work closely with their direct reports, team members across PRI, with PRI signatories and with external partners and stakeholders on driving forward a meaningful approach to climate implementation by investors.

Core Responsibilities:

Team Management – Provide oversight and management of direct reports, supporting their development and managing their performance effectively to help the team fulfil their potential. Ensure delivery against the team’s responsibilities under the business plan and in line with budget. Oversee effective prioritisation of team members objectives, addressing business critical tasks while protecting space for personal development. Accountability for ensuring the team meet agreed deadlines, acting as a point of escalation for team performance and quality issues.

NZAOA – Driving and co-ordinating the delivery of NZAOA work plan priorities, in liaison with delegated track managers. Supporting senior co-convenors (in PRI and UNEP FI) in the development and delivery of strategy objectives. A key priority for the role is NZAOA member recruitment – overseeing proactive recruitment strategy for the NZAOA, working with the team, RI ecosystems and signatories to expand and diversify membership. Working with the team and Head of Net Zero Initiatives on the relationship between NZAOA and pan-alliance initiatives (GFANZ, Investor Agenda, Race to Zero) and wider PRI.

Policy – Senior management and oversight of the NZAOA Policy Track, working closely with the team member who leads on day-to-day management of the track. Priorities will include delivery of the 2024 policy track work plan, and forward planning for the development of 2025 policy track work plan.. Oversight of the interactions between the net zero alliances and initiatives that PRI co-convenes (NZAOA, NZAM, Investor Agenda) and the policy space within PRI including ASCOR, CA100+ policy links and externally.

• Ensure synergies between net zero initiatives and broader PRI work including working closely with other teams across PRI. Maintain strong understanding of signatory needs through regular interactions with PRI’s Responsible Investment Ecosystem team and PRI signatories.

• Support the Director of Sustainability Initiatives in delivering against the team’s business plan and budget.

• Provide regular reporting to the Head of Net Zero Initiatives & Collaboration, Director of Sustainability Initiatives and Chief Initiatives Officer as required.

Person Specification

• Well-developed people management skills and experience of managing teams and building a positive team culture, with a commitment to developing others and a growth mindset

• A depth and breadth of specialist knowledge related to climate and preferably climate policy, and can effectively capture and structure complex, ill-defined or vague problems and is comfortable handling uncertainty

• Excellent written communication and verbal presentation skills

• A collaborative and consultative approach to working with others & committed to fostering an inclusive environment 

• Strong sense of execution and delivery, with strong ability to distil complex and multi-level inputs and decisions into recommendations and proposed plans and solutions which strengthen efficiency and/or effectiveness of initiatives

• Excellent networking, relationship management and interpersonal skills and experience of building strong and productive relationships and trust with stakeholders at all levels

• IT/Digital skills (Microsoft Office, website management systems, CRM, social media, webcasts, etc.)

Desirable:

• Very good programme management skills, with experience in delivering complex projects successfully, including directing others that may not be your direct reports

• Strong public speaking skills with ability to give presentations and lead meetings with important stakeholders – with excellent diplomacy and facilitation skills

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

• Language skills, other than English, are desirable

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.