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

This opportunity is within the PRI’s Sustainability team, which is the thematic hub within the organization. The team is broadly responsible for:

■ Developing PRI’s expertise on ESG and Climate themes from the company level to the macroeconomic systemic level.

■ Raising awareness, providing insights and developing guidance and tools on ESG themes for PRI’s signatory base.

■ Providing ESG issues expertise into other processes within PRI such as policy, investment practices and stewardship.

 More specifically, the successful candidate for the Governance analyst role will be responsible for supporting the delivery of services and outputs (i.e. publications, investor/company roundtables, webinars, podcasts, public policy consultations etc.) focused on corporate governance and broader governance issues. The successful candidate will be passionate about corporate governance and broader governance issues and the role they can play in ensuring market stability and long term growth. Areas of work could include but are not limited to topics such as corporate tax fairness, responsible political engagement, executive compensation, audit, digital transformation and corporate purpose. The successful candidate will also assist with some across team functions.

This is a unique opportunity at the intersection of responsible investment, corporate governance and sustainability and will provide the successful candidate with a range of knowledge and experience in this fast-moving area.

Core Responsibilities:

Provide support to the PRI Governance team on projects related but not limited to governance issues such as corporate tax fairness, responsible political engagement, executive compensation, audit, digital transformation and corporate purpose.

Responsibilities include:

■ Undertake thematic research and analyse data on topics related to governance, using research platforms where relevant   

■ Delivery of services and outputs including roundtables, webinars, podcasts, briefings, analysis, consultations responses and publications focused on corporate governance.

■ Build strong relationships with signatories and support them in expanding expertise on governance issues and relevant practices and requirements.

■ Support internal collaboration on governance themes across the PRI Content team, including the Policy, Stewardship and Investment Practices teams, and other PRI teams, such as Signatory Relations and Reporting & Assessment.

■ Build relationships with external stakeholders, liaising and promoting synergies with other investor networks and initiatives and partner organisations

■ Ensure accuracy and completeness of project related information on Salesforce

■ Manage the content of private online working spaces for relevant investor groups, and assist signatories to resolve any technical issues they might encounter

■ Provide regular reporting to Director of Governance Issues and Research as required

■ Other ad hoc tasks as required including to support activities of wider Sustainability team

Core Competencies:

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

Analytical

• Incorporates the fullest range of information available into analysis and decision making​

• Uses appropriate technical processes/systems to develop and evaluate options in an effective and time-efficient manner ​

• Assimilates data to draws out relevant insights and findings from analyses​

• Identifies opportunities and risks to feed into decision making ​

• Presents analyses in an appropriate format providing clear and concise recommendations

Business Awareness

• Understands, and always works towards, the mission and the aims of the PRI​

• Is curious about what is happening in other parts of the PRI​

• Is Signatory centric – seeks to understand, listen and respond to Signatory needs​

• Understands own teams’ objectives and seeks to internalise them in own activities ​

• Understands who does what at the PRI and uses the knowledge to complete activities

Collaborative

• Approachable, credible and willing whenever engaging with colleagues​

• Actively and appropriately seeks input from others ​

• Focuses on interacting with colleagues in a positive and open manner​

• Listens to what colleagues are saying, considers from different perspectives and tailor’s responses accordingly

Communicative

• Writes succinctly and clearly tailoring level of detail to the requirements of the end user​

• Communicates clearly and precisely and able to convey thinking comprehensively​

• Provides regular, clear and concise communications to manager, colleagues or other relevant people to keep updated on activities​

• Structures and prepares well-written, logical outputs with limited guidance and editing​

Developmental

• Demonstrates self-awareness actively seeks feedback from others and acts upon it​

• Explores new ideas with an inquisitive mind ​

• Questions the status quo and suggests new ideas ​

• Seeks out opportunities to drive continuous improvements in ways of working​

• Open-minded attitude which welcomes change and new ideas

Structured

• Prioritises and organises time effectively, focussing on the key organisational priorities​

• Develops ways of working and processes to execute and improve efficiency across the PRI​

• Methodically tackles problems, working with colleagues where necessary​

• Takes account of the needs of other colleagues and/or Signatories when considering how to execute a piece of work​

• Promotes and utilises effective project management skills

Technical Competencies & Experience:

■ Educated to degree level in a relevant discipline – or relevant work experience

■ Knowledge of corporate governance issues as they relate to responsible investment and corporate sustainability

■Understanding of shareholder engagement and voting activities

■ Fluent in English with excellent verbal and written communications skills. Other languages desirable

■ Confidence to relate to and interact with a wide range of investment professionals from different regions. Ability to network and build relationships

■ Able to learn quickly

■ Diplomacy, tact, and ability to work well in teams, the ability to foster an inclusive working environment

■ Strong written communications skills, including the ability to write and deliver high quality written outputs such as research reports or briefings with minimal revisions

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

■ Willing to occasionally take notes of conference calls in different time zones outside normal working hours

■ Must have existing right to work in the UK