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, such as income inequality through the lens of sustainable finance. 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

The Communications Specialist will work closely with the PRI Head of Press – who the role reports to – and team on PRI’s media engagement activities globally. The role will play a leading role in communications including media relations for a number of investor initiatives PRI is a part of, working closely with stakeholders at PRI and other organisations. In addition, the role will interact with agencies PRI works with, and proactively seeking opportunities for PRI’s content specialists and signatory relations team in the media. This role will also manage PRI’s media subscriptions.

This is a fantastic opportunity to join the press team within communications at the world’s leading proponent of responsible investment. The team is global in scope, working on a range of critical issues including climate change, human rights, governance, policy within the PRI and on initiatives with other stakeholders to help drive investor action on sustainable investing

Core Responsibilities

■       Work closely with the Head of Press and team on PRI’s overall global media engagement strategy – and the tactical execution of that strategy.

■       Play a leading role in PRI’s input into communications for many of the investor initiatives the organisation is a part of

■       Work closely with colleagues at PRI on the organisation’s input to these initiatives, and with external stakeholders in these initiatives

■       Proactively work with Content specialists and relevant Signatory Relations team members on media engagement.

■       Work closely with agencies employed by PRI on media execution.

■       Oversee and manage PRI’s subscriptions

■       Oversee PRI’s media contacts database and press clippings.

■       Be an integral part of PRI’s communications team, pitch in on communications activities as needed.Core Competencies:

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

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:

■       Educated to degree level (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline

■       Excellent verbal and written communications skills

■       Media relations experience ideally global or across regions

■       Ideally experience working with PR agencies (desirable, not essential)

■       Able to build relationships internally and externally quickly

■       Experience working in initiatives involving multiple stakeholders

■       Excellent attention to detail

■       Highly organised with the ability to juggle competing demands

■       IT/system skills (Microsoft Office (PowerPoint in particular), SharePoint, social media, webcasts, etc.)

■       A collaborative and consultative approach to working with others, able to take ownership of challenges or complaints and see them through to resolution. The ability to work in an inclusive working environment.

■       Excellent relationship management and interpersonal skills.