Chief, Responsible Investment Ecosystems Officer

Job description

Responsible for building the PRI’s RI Ecosystem function and then leading and managing the PRI’s eco-systems activities in individual markets.

This incorporates convening signatories and stakeholders in individual markets, supporting signatory progression through outreach and advice, and supporting meaningful policy outreach within those markets. Also including coaching, direction, and support for PRI colleagues and oversight of budgets. 

Reports to Chief Executive Officer.

Direct reports: 

• Senior Director, Europe 
• Director Emerging Markets 
• Director APAC 
• Director North America 

The responsible investment world that the PRI has operated in for almost 20 years is changing rapidly. As constraints on environmental resources, disruptions in supply chains and changing needs of human capital are accelerating, demand for sustainable and responsible investments has grown. Considering these factors is now widely considered central to fulfilling duties to clients and beneficiaries.

The needs of the PRIs signatories have also changed. With over 5500 signatories globally and over 1000 in the United States alone, the PRI is working to provide more consistent and useful support for signatory activities. At the same time, investors in emerging economies need more support from the PRI to invest sustainably.

The Chief of Responsible Investment Ecosystems is a new role at the PRI. The successful candidate will be responsible for supporting signatories to progress their responsible investment activities, for building communities of responsible investment practice in signatory countries and for supporting effective and efficient regulation on sustainable finance. The required capabilities include experience and insights on both retaining and serving signatories as well as growing signatory and finance sector participation in underserved markets.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and oversight of RI Ecosystems regional Directors, supporting their development and managing performance.
• Accountability and oversight of the RI Ecosystems business planning, budgeting and allocation of resources, ensuring the PRI can continue to deliver against commitments.
• Overall accountability and oversight for ensuring the team meets agreed signatory retention (eco-system experience), signatory growth, signatory progression, and eco-system performance goals, acting as a point of escalation for team performance and quality issues. 
• Accountable for setting strategy and driving operations of RI Ecosystems, by contributing to global strategic and/or operational external solutions that improve the signatory journey and experience. For example, these solutions could include the design of digital strategies, planning consultations and signatory engagements on specific PRI strategic plans or initiatives. 
• Working with the PRI Marketing team to identify marketing strategy for individual markets within RI Ecosystems.
• Attend meetings and provide regular reporting on eco-systems activities to the CEO, the Executive Leadership team and Board as required.
• Represent PRI in public events, the financial press and other media, as needed, for example by providing insights on global market trends in responsible investment, regional differences and signatory composition.

Person specification

• Leadership skills (including role-modelling positive behaviours, being genuine and vulnerable, driving change and making things happen) and the ability to think strategically and systemically and act for the long-term benefit of the organisation.
• Well-developed people management skills (including providing feedback & challenge, coaching and developing individuals) and the ability to build and lead high performing hybrid teams.
• Excellent networking, influencing and interpersonal skills with the ability to build strong and productive relationships and demonstrate credibility at a senior level as a trusted partner in different circumstances (remote/in-person or internal/external) with a clear understanding of what drives people and how to achieve optimal outcomes.
• Strong facilitation skills. Diplomacy, tact, and ability to build consensus.
• Significant and substantive subject matter expertise in ESG including strong understanding of investment practice, the structure and operation of the investment chain, and of policy and regulatory issues relating to sustainable financial markets and the incorporation of ESG factors into investments.

We particularly welcome candidates from under-represented groups, including Black, Asian, and other People of Colour, those with visible or non-visible disabilities, LGBTQ+ candidates and those who are neurodivergent.

Please note this role is being Managed Exclusively by an External Executive Search Firm, Weinreb Group - please register your interest to: Jordan Locke jordan@weinrebgroup.com