Overview:
The role offers a unique opportunity to join an Asian headquartered investment manager with a growing global footprint. The role is part of the newly established 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 UK Stewardship Code signatory status, along with joining the Net Zero Asset Managers initiative, demonstrates our ongoing commitment to sustainable investment.
With an ambitious global growth plan, this role provides the chance to work with experienced ESG professionals in a diverse, friendly, and open culture that values constructive dialogue and cognitive diversity.
The role will lead and shape Nikko AM’s global sustainable investment activities, focusing on integration and stewardship.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Integration
- 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
- Liaise with broader stakeholders including Sales, Client Services, and the Global Sustainable Investment teams to develop and execute respective strategies
- 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
Stewardship
- Establish a stewardship framework and internal best practice standards for ESG engagements
- Engage with our companies and issuers 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
- Oversee annual response to stewardship codes (in particular UKSC) executed through annual Global Stewardship Report
- Contributing to the development and maintenance of the firm’s stewardship policies and reporting responsibilities to industry initiatives such as the PRI
- 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
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 8 years (preferably more) of work experience in financial services preferably in asset management with exposure to sustainable investment activities
- Preference for investment experience at a sizable investment management organisation
- Demonstrated track record in 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
- Proven presentation, communication, and written skills
