Overview
This role offers a unique opportunity to join Asia's premier global asset manager with a growing global footprint. We are currently in the process of building a Global Sustainable Investment hub in Singapore, in addition to having significantly expanded our Global Sustainable Investment team in the last 12 months. We already have a strong track record in ESG, having, among others, joined the Net Zero Asset Managers initiative, set a net zero 2030 target and become one of the first Asian headquartered investors to have received the UK Stewardship Code signatory status. With the firm’s ambitious global growth plan in place, this role offers broad exposure, extensive responsibilities, and the opportunity to work with seasoned ESG specialists.
It is also an opportunity to be part of a diverse, friendly, open and ambitious culture that values constructive dialogue and cognitive diversity.
This role is responsible for leading our firm’s ESG integration across asset classes and regions. The successful candidate will be part of a newly established independent, Global Sustainable Investment team dedicated to developing and executing our unified global ESG strategy, and supporting our firm across investment, client and regulatory requirements. The role includes setting or improving existing dedicated strategies, frameworks and processes for ESG integration and research, close collaboration with Investment teams across regions, supporting client objectives and developing new sustainable products. Successful candidate will work closely together with our growing team of seasoned ESG professionals. These include regional ESG specialists, dedicated Stewardship, ESG Data and ESG Regulations specialists.
A key part of the role involves understanding the philosophy and approach of our investment strategies towards ESG and broader market and client expectations, in order to shape and implement global strategies and frameworks. It also requires deep understanding of ESG and sector trends, critical ESG issues faced by companies and staying abreast of evolving market developments in the broader ESG industry. The role also includes engagement with our client facing teams to enhance how we communicate with our clients and prospects as well as collaboration with Product Department to shape new sustainable products.
Duties and Responsibilities
· Work with Global Sustainable Investment and Investment teams to further enrich and deepen our ESG integration frameworks, processes and solutions to help achieve clients’ investment objectives, meet our global commitments and ensure consistent outcomes across regions
· Drive key ESG initiatives across the firm
· Collaboration with ESG Data Function to strengthen access to ESG data, analytics and tools that support investment decisions, as well as developing processes for monitoring and reporting ESG metrics
· Liaise with broader stakeholders including Sales, Client Services, and the Global Sustainable Investment teams to develop and execute respective strategies
· Work with Investment teams and other key stakeholders to deliver regional inputs for external reporting that include (but are not limited to) responses to the TCFD, UKSC, UN PRI, and NAM’s annual sustainability reports
· Support the Investment teams with implementation of global commitments such as Net Zero and SFDR-related product upgrades
· Provide expertise on ESG matters, including contribution to prospect opportunities with Investment teams
· Deep understanding of global ESG trends, regulations, new analytical approaches, competitive landscape to evaluate and update our positioning, strategies and client solutions
· Contribute to the investment dialogue by conducting comprehensive ESG research in certain areas, including origination of articles and thought leadership pieces
· Establish and maintain ESG training agenda for the Global Sustainable Investment, Investment teams and other key stakeholders
· Create an ESG communications plan to keep internal stakeholders informed of internal and external developments, initiatives, and regulatory changes
· Industry collaboration, that include (but not limited to) regulators, investment associations and relevant networks, and stakeholders
· Become a recognised thought leader within the ESG industry
· Identify new opportunities for sustainable and impact investing strategies
· Initiate and manage cross-collaborations to advance the firm’s ESG objectives (e.g. Portfolio Analytics, Data, IT, Marketing)
· Support the successful implementation of the firm’s global ESG investing strategy
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 ESG/sustainability, with strong preference for exposure to institutional clients on ESG investing topics
· Preference for investment experience at a sizable investment management organisation
· Demonstrated track record in issues around ESG investing, sustainability or impact investing and understanding of the rapidly evolving regulatory environment and client demand
· Familiarity with ESG data sets and ESG ratings providers
· Track-record of balancing multiple stakeholders, building consensus, and delivering results
· Successful experience managing project teams in a dynamic and changing environment
