Overview:
Nikko Asset Management (Nikko AM) Global Sustainable Investment team is recruiting for a Global Stewardship Lead. The role offers a unique opportunity to join an Asian headquartered investment manager with a growing global footprint. The Global Sustainable team is in the process of building a Global Sustainable Investment hub in Singapore, with regional teams in Japan and United Kingdom.
As a firm, we have a strong track record in ESG and sustainable investment, we were one of the first Asian asset manager signatory to the Principles of Responsible Investment, since 2007. We were also one of the first Asian investment manager to receive the UK Stewardship Code signatory status, along with joining the Net Zero Asset Managers initiative, demonstrates our ongoing commitment to sustainable investment.
The firm has an ambitious global growth plan in place, the role offers the opportunity to work with experienced ESG professionals in a diverse, friendly, open and ambitious culture that values constructive dialogue and cognitive diversity.
The role is responsible for leading and shaping Nikko AM global stewardship priorities. In setting these priorities, the role will involve regular interactions with the investment teams across the asset classes to coordinate and align engagement activities and voting proxies. Engagement with companies is a key responsibility which can include leading and structuring company engagement strategies and developing a framework to engage and assess companies’ climate transition plans.
Duties and Responsibilities
· Establish a stewardship framework and internal best practice standards for corporate engagement and proxy voting in collaboration with the investment teams with the aim of ensuring alignment on key engagement issues
· Engage with our companies (including at senior levels) on thematic ESG issues in close collaboration with the Global Sustainable Investment team and the investment teams to shape business behavior that supports sustainable long-term performance and transparency of outcomes reporting as well as to ensure an understanding of Nikko AM’s views on ESG issues
· Ensure compliance with and coordinate annual response to stewardship codes (in particular UKSC)
· Contributing to the development and maintenance of the firm’s stewardship policies and reporting responsibilities to industry initiatives such as the PRI and regional stewardship codes
· Collaborate with portfolio managers, global sustainable investing team, and other relevant stakeholders to ensure client views are incorporated into prioritized engagement themes and that there is a consistent alignment between the stewardship framework, sustainable investing themes and client strategies
· Developing a process to measure and report Nikko AM’s stewardship activities to evidence outcome-based engagements
· Where required, provide support for proxy voting processes to ensure all accounts are voted in accordance with Nikko AM’s proxy voting guidelines
· Support the client services team to address client inquiries about the firm’s stewardship practices and positions
· Work and build relationships with the investment teams, internal Global Sustainable Investment teams and other key stakeholders
· Foster relationships with and industry associations to promote responsible investing and shape industry standards
· Represent Nikko AM at industry events, work with regulators and industry bodies on relevant stewardship codes and regulations and participating in roundtable discussions
· Produce thought leadership or white papers on investment stewardship topics
· Support internal education on stewardship and engagement topics
Knowledge and Skills
· Self-motivated, with confidence to work independently with a degree of autonomy, but remains a team player and enjoys contributing to a broader entrepreneurial environment
· Pro-active, self-starter and problem solver
· Excellent people and influencing skills
· Clear, logical thinker with strong analytical skills who can prioritise effectively and deliver with clarity and impact
· Strong verbal and written communication skills, including experience and comfort interacting with senior leaders and clients
· Accountable, with a strong sense of professionalism and integrity
· Experience driving results within a highly matrixed organisation
Experience and Qualification
· Minimum 6 years (preferably more) of work experience in financial services preferably in asset management with exposure to investment stewardship activities or experience in a specialist ESG organisation/NGO
· Bachelor’s degree
· Strong working knowledge of stewardship codes and regulations and sustainability related issues
· Familiarity with proxy voting service providers
· Proven presentation, communication, and written skills
· Successful experience managing project teams in a dynamic and changing environment
