Operations:HR:InvestorProgramManagerDraft.doc

Senior Manager, Investor Engagement

Organization

Ceres is a not-for-profit organization that partners with institutional investors, large companies, environmental organizations and other public interest groups, with the goal of mobilizing investor and business leadership to build a thriving, sustainable global economy.

Ceres plays a unique role in the sustainability movement by bringing the perspective and power of investors to environmental and social issues, and specifically to the performance, practices and policies of corporations. Through its Investor Network on Climate Risk, Ceres has been able to mobilize over 110 institutional investors representing more than $13.5 trillion in assets to better understand and properly value climate and water-related risks and opportunities. Ceres works to foster corporate leadership on sustainability issues and mobilize private sector actors in support of public policies for long-term sustainability. Ceres works with over 65 major companies to integrate environmental and social issues into core business practices. Additionally, Ceres mobilizes a powerful network of leading companies (Business for Innovative Climate & Energy Policy) to advocate for national and state climate, energy and water policies.

For more information about Ceres, please visit our web site (

Description & Responsibilities

The Senior Manager, Investor Engagement, plays a key role in Ceres’s work with institutional investors. This position, in partnership with the Director, focuses on building and managing the Investor Network on Climate Risk (INCR), coordinated by Ceres, which is a network of more than 110 institutional investors with $13.5 trillion in assets under management. The work with investors is supporting the Food and Capital Markets Initiative, a new multi-organization collaboration working to enhance the sustainability of key food supply chains. Ceres responsibilities as part of this program involve working with Ceres’ Investor, Corporate, NGO, and Policy partners. This is a full-time staff position, based in Boston, MA, that will report to the Director of Investor Engagement.

Specific duties include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Support the implementation and development of INCR management and planning systems, with a focus on global investors
  • Partner with Senior Program Director on development and engagement of global investor coalitions partners and their actions related to commodity sourcing risks
  • Recruit new asset owner and asset manage members to INCR from both the U.S. and Canada and encourage their action on ESG issues
  • Develop and manage Ceres’ relationships with asset owners and asset managers
  • Educate INCR members and international investors on risks associated with agricultural commodities, deforestation, illegally harvested seafood and overfishing
  • Serve as relationship manager for investors and engage with them on ESG issues, including agricultural commodity risk, deforestation, and illegal seafood/overfishing
  • Support Ceres’ INCR relationship management system and system for tracking member engagement and activities focused on the above issues/risks
  • Engage investor organizations in Canada, Europe, and other regions to support investor engagement on risks associated with agricultural commodities, deforestation, illegally harvested seafood and overfishing.
  • Promote“sustainable investment” policies and practices that incorporate environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors into the investment decision-making process consistent with Ceres 21st Century Investor Blueprint for Sustainable Investing
  • Coordinate various working groups and collaborative activities to support INCR members in taking actions to address climate risk and other sustainability challenges
  • Partner with the Director in working with the Communications team, and developing media messaging and communications materials, such as op-eds, press releases and blogs.
  • Develop and manage the production, release and distribution of research reports and related blog posts, op-eds, and articles that advance the INCR’s work.
  • Research, write, and edit communications with INCR members, including contributions to INCR website, INCR newsletter, INCR reports and other INCR publications
  • Partner with the Director in production of funding proposals to sustain and grow IISE work with the Ceres Development team
  • Partner with the Director in funder meetings and outreach to potential new funders, with the Ceres Development Team
  • Participate in planning and organizing Ceres annual conference and program events, to further INCR
  • Partner with other Ceres’ staff on integrated program initiatives and events
  • Represent Ceres and INCRat conferences, seminars, press conferences and meetings as spokesperson for project or program work.
  • Manage and execute team projects including but not limited to integration of ESG concepts into investor policies and practices
  • Support and contribute to cross-program coordination, alignment, and strategies for achieving program goals and outcomes
  • Where appropriate, supervise interns on projects.
  • Travel as necessary for relationships management purposes.

Qualifications

  • Graduate degree in finance, business, environment, law or public policy or related field required.
  • Bachelor degree, required.
  • 7 years of work experience.
  • 5 years or more of direct experience preferably working in the corporate, investor, government and/or non-profit sectors, on sustainability or governance relation issues.
  • Substantial expertise on environmental sustainability issues related to sustainable agriculture
  • Familiarity with supply chain dynamics, corporate and industry sustainable sourcing best practices
  • Experience organizing people through relationship building, outreach, advocate cultivation and consensus building.
  • Strong investor network of contacts, a plus.
  • Familiarity with popular sustainability reporting frameworks is required.
  • Demonstrated experience in relationship management, particularly engaging leaders in the investor community.
  • Ability to make strong connections between sustainable agriculture issues and articulate the impacts and implications for corporate actions.
  • Demonstrated strong project management, business planning skills and attention to detail.
  • Ability to work both independently and as part of a team, in a fast-paced environment.
  • Sound judgment, sensitivity to diverse constituencies, excellent interpersonal skills, strong initiative and motivation.
  • Effective presentation style and excellent oral and written communication skills.
  • Experience with communications and fundraising preferred.
  • Team player that likes working in a collaborative and fast paced environment.
  • Proven ability to manage multiple projects from concept to completion on own momentum and with limited guidance.
  • Success in organizing multiple projects and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
  • Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
  • Proficient with word-processing, spreadsheet, presentation, database, and e-mail software.
  • Willingness to travel as needed to accomplish duties noted.
  • Desire to work in a not-for-profit, advocacy-focused organization.

How to Apply

We encourage all applicants to review our website to familiarize themselves with Ceres before applying: Applicants should submit a resume, cover letter, two writing samples, and a list of three references, to . Please use the words “Senior Manager, Investor Program” in the subject line of your e-mail message.

Ceres is an equal opportunity employer and seeks qualified applicants without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, marital status, or sexual orientation.