Overview

Development and implementation of strategy to ensure the Commissioners deliver on their ethical and responsible investment commitments and to position the Church Commissioners at the very forefront of global responsible investment, while also ensuring that the Commissioners’ investment practice is faithful to the values of the fund’s beneficiaries and to the PRI Principles.

Please contact email advert@blackwoodgroup.com if you are interested in this role

Role Responsibility

The main responsibilities are;

Development and implementation of strategy to ensure the Commissioners deliver on their ethical and responsible investment commitments (including NIB ethical investment policies, PRI Principles, Stewardship Code and Net Zero Asset Owner Alliance) – 60%

• Development and implementation of the Church Commissioners’ ethical and responsible investment policies and practices
• Overseeing engagement planning, leading and advising on company engagements and public policy advocacy, contributing to proxy voting policy, overseeing discretionary voting decisions and overseeing negative screening
• Overseeing engagement with third party fund managers across all asset classes. Assessing, supporting and influencing the Commissioners’ external asset managers to promote investment management that conforms with the Commissioners’ ethical and responsible investment expectations, and overseeing the wider RI team’s work on this, aiming to improve their ESG / RI credentials and tracking progress
• Directing the Commissioners’ strategy on ‘win win’ impact investment, impact monitoring and impact reporting
• Managing quarterly monitoring and reporting of exposure to restricted investments and ensuring compliance with the Commissioners’ pooled funds policy
• Church Commissioners’ observer on the Church of England Ethical Investment Advisory Group (EIAG); observing and contributing to EIAG meetings, preparing EIAG papers, and liaising with EIAG Secretary on the EIAG’s work
• Church Commissioners’ lead for national investing body (NIB) co-ordination on ethical investment policy and practice, including via monthly NIB meetings and quarterly NIB CEO meetings
• Advising, and supporting, the investment and operations team across asset classes (securities and real assets) on the implementation and interpretation of ethical and responsible investment policy, including via legal agreements
• Advising trustees on the Securities Group, Property Group, Assets Committee and Board of Governors on ethical and responsible investment policy; preparing, and overseeing preparation of, Assets Committee and Board papers
• Staying on top of good ethical and responsible investment practice including networking with peers (particularly asset owners) and representing the Commissioners (including as appropriate on steering groups and policy committees) at the Church Investors Group (CIG), Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), UK Sustainable Investment and Finance (UKSIF), Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change (IIGCC), Net Zero Asset Owner Alliance and Investor Forum

Leading the communication of the Church Commissioners’ ethical and responsible investment policies and practice - 20%

• Lead for PRI reporting and assessment, oversight of Net Zero Asset Owner Alliance reporting
• Representing the Commissioners in the media on ethical and responsible investment matters
• Writing articles and speaking at events and conferences on the Commissioners’ approach to ethical and responsible investment
• Liaising with the offices of the Archbishops of Canterbury and York on the Commissioners’ investments with a view to maintaining alignment between public pronouncements of the Archbishops and the investment practice of the Commissioners; liaising with the Church of England Environmental Working Group with a view to maintaining alignment with the wider Church on climate change issues
• Ensuring that the Commissioners’ ethical and responsible investment practice is understood and well regarded in Parliament and at General Synod
• Liaising with and influencing NGOs on ethical and responsible investment matters as appropriate
• Identifying opportunities to demonstrate excellence through external recognition and awards
• Preparing responsible investment copy for the Church Commissioners’ annual report   
• Overseeing the publication of bi-annual stewardship reports
• Ensuring the Commissioners’ ethical and responsible investment activities are well presented on the Church of England website

Management - 20%

• Member of the Investments Division’s senior management team
• Team leadership of six-strong responsible investment team
• Line management of Senior Engagement Analyst, Engagement Analyst, Stewardship Analyst and Impact Investment Analyst
• Management of the responsible investment budget including the Commissioners’ contribution to the running costs of the EIAG, procuring screening, ESG research, engagement and proxy voting services, and overseeing supplier relationships

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate should have;

Essential

• Candidates must have clear enthusiasm for, and commitment to, the mission of the role– ensuring, and continuously improving, the quality and reputation of the Church Commissioners’ ethical and responsible investment practice.

Commitment

Professional Qualifications and Experience

• Educated to degree level or equivalent. Masters level desirable.
• Investment and responsible investment qualifications (e.g. PRI Academy Foundations in RI or CFA UK Certificate in ESG Investing).
• Substantive experience at a senior level of ethical and responsible investment (at least 2 years’ senior level experience), including experience of policy development, negative screening, engagement, proxy voting and evaluation of ESG opportunities and risks.
• Demonstrable experience of successful Responsible Investment strategy development and implementation
• Experienced team leader, capable of effective team building
• Track record of effective media/external relations including external presentations, writing articles, interviews with print and broadcast journalists, and interacting with policy makers.

Skills/Aptitudes:

• Capable of delivering high quality, innovative, strategic thinking and pragmatic solutions
• Credible influencer skilled in managing complex, senior stakeholder groups
• Intellectually energetic with sound judgement and risk management
• Clear, persuasive and confident communicator, in person and in writing, to internal and external audiences
• Strong interpersonal and team leadership skills
• Sensitive to the reputation and responsibilities of the Church Commissioners, and their place within the wider Church, and cognisant of ethical and reputational risk.  

Personal Characteristics:

• Strong personal impact; able to work, and have credibility, with a wide range of people in a variety of situations, in particular at a senior level.
• Innovative and forward thinking in approach;  flexible and responsive to changing demands and priorities
• Self-motivated, comfortable working on own initiative
• Resilient and adaptable to a changing and complex operating environment
• Leadership and management qualities including the ability to command the respect of others in the team and externally
• Collaborative and collegiate team player
• Operates with discretion and integrity using keen judgement and tact

About Us

We in the National Church Institutions support the mission and ministries of the Church all over England. We work with parishes, dioceses (regional offices), schools, other ministries and our partners at a national and international level.

Excellence, Respect, Integrity

We follow these three values in everything we do, whether we are of Christian faith, another faith or no faith. To learn more about working for National Church Institutions and our benefits, please click here

As we are a member of the Armed Forces Covenant, we welcome all applications from those you have served in our Armed Forces and their families

We are committed to building a culturally diverse workforce. As part of this commitment, we welcome applications from people, regardless of their background. As a Disability Confident committed employer, it is important to note that there may be occasions where it is not practical or appropriate to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria* due to high volume. We limit the amount of interviews conducted to five applicants per open post we advertise. 

*Where applicable depending on post requirements.

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