Senior ESG Associate, Global Private Markets Investor, London, UK

Reference11455

About our client
Our client is a top-tier global private markets investor, working across investment strategies and asset classes with a well-established and successful track record.

The firm is looking for a Senior Associate to join its well-regarded ESG team to work with the ESG Lead for Europe as it advances and embeds ESG principles across the firm. Based in the London office, this role will include a wide range of responsibilities, from working with the deal teams to supporting internal strategy development across the firm and driving value across the portfolio.
What the job involves

• Work closely with the ESG Lead for Europe to embed the ESG principles across the firm
• Partner with embedded ESG champions across direct lending, liquid credit, and real estate to help build and implement scalable ESG integration strategies designed to deliver measurable impact
• Partner with deal teams to develop and integrate ESG ratchets into loan documents
• Help mitigate material ESG risks and/or create value in the private equity portfolio through win-win cost-savings initiatives in portfolio companies in coordination with the respective PE investment teams
• Engage with and influence portfolio company management teams and Boards to ensure timely execution of ESG-related initiatives
• Support the firmwide Corporate Sustainability Strategy, including the development and implementation of a TCFD-aligned climate change strategy
• Provide technical guidance to ensure the firm meets the requirements of emerging European ESG-related regulations
• Work closely with client-facing teams to raise the profile and understanding of the firm's ESG strategy and capabilities
• Assist with LP ESG due diligence on the firm including answering questions on its ESG practices, policies and case studies
• Help design and implement a consistent and scalable approach to ESG data collection, validation and reporting for both internal and external stakeholders
• Engage and partner with other internal stakeholders across the firm such as Investor Relations, Strategy & Relationship Management, Human Resources, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and Legal & Compliance
• Build working relationships across the firm, with a focus on Europe, with investment, client-facing, product and senior management colleagues, to support strategy implementation and communication

Who we are looking for

• Bachelor's degree required. MBA or equivalent degree in finance, economics or environmental management strongly preferred
• Energetic and passionate about sustainability with a desire to build on the firm's ESG strategy
• Experience in ESG-related business practices, investments and sustainability, preferably within the financial services industry
• Strong understanding of the private markets
• Experience identifying, tracking and reporting on ESG data management and KPIs, including the development of systematic processes to ensure consistency and accuracy
• General knowledge of the finance sector levers for change as it relates to sustainability initiatives
• Strong networking and relationship building skills with LPs, other relevant external parties (e.g., counterparts at comparable firms, industry leaders, et cetera)
• A strategic thinker with an ability to work independently and proactively; keen eye for detail as well as the ability to focus and drive towards the bigger picture
• Sharp presentation skills, meeting facilitation, negotiation, interpersonal, decision making, consensus building and collaboration ease