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.

The successful candidate with work extremely closely with senior experienced members of the IP team and signatories on a range of interesting and challenging projects. Candidates will gain profile quickly and be involved in face to face contact with signatories at an early stage of their time at PRI – either through interviews, advisory committees or written work such as blogs. With guidance from the IP director, they will also be given responsibility on programmes. Working in a close knit team across a range of programmes.

Job Description

This position will work alongside senior members of PRI team in the design and delivery of resources and content for signatories. This work is core to PRI’s offering to our 3,000 signatories - to enable them fulfil their commitments to the 6 Principles (especially principle 1 and 2). The exact mix of work will depend on the candidates interests, skills and experience but probably include work relating to asset owners, hedge funds and listed equity. Working across a wide range of asset classes and programmes will enable the successful candidate to gain experience in multiple asset classes and with different signatory types. It is intended the output will be widely used within, and beyond, our signatory base - providing direction & guidance on leading practice with easily understood and actionable content.

This appointment is a continuation of PRI’s on-going commitment in helping signatories integrate ESG into investment practices and is part of the strengthening of the IP team over the last 24 months. The successful candidate will play a key role in the delivery of a busy programme of work over the next 3 years with extensive contact with signatories. This opportunity is within the PRI’s London office and will report to the IP Director. The successful candidates are likely to have had experience in organisations such as investment consultants, asset managers, asset owners, service providers or other similar organisations.

Core Responsibilities:

Utilising Experience

■ Working closely with the IP Director and team Heads, they will help develop, lead and deliver resources and content for a range of signatories across topics ranging from ESG integration, climate change, human rights.

■ Depending on the candidate, the main areas might be working on content and programmes relating to asset owners, hedge funds or listed equities.

■ It is not a prerequisite to have direct ESG investing experience but an interest in the PRI objectives is clearly preferable.

■ Have a flexible mindset and openness to work on a range of challenging and evolving projects.

■ The candidate will have a record of bringing new ideas, enthusiasm for innovation and ‘can do’ attitude

Record Research

■ Be able to keep abreast of market-wide developments, building on existing career experience.

■ Understand PRI’s 3 year strategy and work towards helping deliver across a range of PRI programmes.

■ Working with increasing levels of independence on programmes relating to a combination of hedge funds, listed equity and asset owners. Content might include blogs, podcasts, technical guides and discussion papers.

Team Working

■ Be able to show a record of working in collaborative environments with internal teams and external partner groups.

■  Work with individuals and other teams across the organisation to develop and deliver programmes, guides, tools and events.

■ Provide regular reporting to the Director of IP and appropriate Heads as required.

Core Competencies:

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

■ Analytical

•Uses business knowledge and analysis to identify issues, applying fact-based insight to develop and evaluate options, offering solutions in a timely manner

•Identifies gaps in working practices that impact effectiveness and proposes solutions

•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 PRI and externally

•Utilises knowledge and experience across the PRI to ensure highest quality outputs are delivered

•Balances the internal needs of the PRI and that of Signatory Organisations to deliver outputs

•Understands how own area of responsibility drives value to the PRI and meets its mission

■ Collaborative

•Builds consensus and trust amongst team members and wider colleagues

•Is responsive to feedback, proactively following up to ensure any issues are resolved

•Proactively engages with colleagues in the wider organisation to gain a broader understanding of issues

•Flexes style and approach based on colleagues’ level of understanding and preferences

■ Communicative

•Speaks in a variety of settings, varying style based on type of audience

•Uses a variety of innovative methods in presentations to engage the audience and improve their understanding

•Clarifies matters/issues by absorbing and understanding relevant information and feeding them back in concise terms

•Engages the recipient using their language, tailoring communication style for the audience

■ Developmental

•Knows and leverages own strengths

•Actively seeks opportunities to enhance knowledge/ experience

•Gains input and facilitates challenge to improve processes and new ways of working

•Actively seeks and shares feedback wherever possible, as a means of improvement

•Maintains a local network of contacts to encourage knowledge sharing

■ 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

•Monitors and reports on progress, providing regular updates as appropriate

•Builds time into work plans or projects to assess performance and provide feedback

Technical Competencies & Experience:

■ A proven track record of writing, contributing to and producing public analysis and reports on relevant topics to financial professionals and/or asset owners. Excellent written communication and verbal presentation skills.

■ Will be able to evidence an understanding of capital markets either through working at asset managers, asset owners, service providers, consultants or academia.

■ It is not a prerequisite to have direct ESG investing experience but an interest in the PRI objectives is clearly preferable.

■ Evidence of experience working on, managing and delivering multiple projects related to ESG issues and/or capital markets.

■ Experience in building a social media presence, undertaking public presentations and hosting webinars is desirable.

■ Appropriate professional qualifications in asset management, sustainability or responsible investment an advantage an advantage. The candidate might come from an asset manager, asset owner, investment bank, investment consultancy or similar organisation.

■ Language skills, other than English, are desirable. The ability to foster an inclusive working environment is essential.