50/50 Climate Project — Institutional Investor Relationship Manager

The 50/50 Climate Project* is a not-for-profit resource for institutional investors focused on increasing the climate competency of boards of directors of large publicly traded corporations. We currently operate virtually, but eventually plan on opening a small office in the Washington DC Metro area.

We provide institutional investors with tools and resources to make climate issues a focus for corporate boards. The project emphasizes accountability for risk management, incentive compensation and long term strategic planning. By mobilizing the largest public owners of energy corporations—institutional investors—the 50/50 Climate Project provides investors with informed analyses, strategic planning support, and collaborative platforms for action.

The project incorporates deep research into company risks and opportunities; analysis of corporate-board climate competencies; campaigns to refresh boardrooms; and supports the development of a pipeline of highly credentialed director candidates. The Project’s success depends on the collective action and commitment of key institutional investors to wield their influence as long-term owners. For more information, contact: info@5050climate.org

Position Overview

The Project seeks an Institutional Investor Relationship Manager who will be responsible for establishing, building, maintaining and deepening relationships with institutional investors and foundation donors. This person will play a critical role in the expansion of the Project’s existing base of institutional investor partners by uncovering investment needs/gaps and promoting engagement opportunities as well as identifying and pursuing new avenues for partnership with prospective investors and donors. The successful candidate should have a proactive attitude to prospecting and overall partnership development initiatives coupled with a consultative approach to working with the Project’s principles. Individuals with institutional sales, account executive or other relevant experience in the corporate governance/ESG space are encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities include:

• Develop and manage institutional investor and Project funder outreach campaigns by identifying strategies necessary to cultivate and maintain enduring relationships with current and prospective investors/Project funders.
• Adopt and create a rigorous investor and funder prospecting program to identify, target and pursue new relationships.
• Grow pipeline of investor partnerships and/or investor engagement opportunities among existing partners and pursue new investor prospects through networking events, industry contacts, an effective cold calling and social media platforms or other online sources.
• Proactively develop effective strategies to manage both existing and new relationships by anticipating investor needs and/or identifying potential gaps in investment stewardship programs.
• Develop and maintain basic proficiency in climate change and corporate governance topics by tracking and staying abreast of relevant trends and developments.
• Apply appropriate context to the Project’s mission when conveying developments with an aim to educate and move investors/funders to action on the Project’s initiatives and priorities.
• Assemble investor-specific profiles by conducting research and collecting intelligence on current and prospective investor perspectives, policies and priorities in order to identify potential bridges and opportunities for coalition building and engagement collaboration.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to institutional investors by delivering timely, relevant, customized, contextual and actionable climate-oriented content and/or developments tailored to investor-specific business perspectives and circumstances.
• Ensure communications with investors and funders are timely, appropriate, personalized and professional.
• Serve as the Project’s primary point of contact for institutional investors and the Project funders. Be an ambassador for the Project and elevate its profile and reputation in the institutional investor community and in foundation donor circles by participating in internal and external events, road shows and seminars.
• Execute on the Project’s investor coalition building and donor prospect strategies by adding a quantifiable number of new relationships over a given time period.
• Regularly review outreach strategies and processes with the Project’s Executive Director and/or governing board to enhance existing knowledge and ensure an informed perspective when prospecting, making adjustments as needed.
• Maintain accurate records regarding investor and funder outreach endeavors and provide regular updates on investor and Project funder engagement and prospecting activities.
• Maintain confidentiality of the Project operations and plans.

Qualifications include:

• 5-10 years’ of experience interacting and building relationships with large, major institutional investors including asset managers and asset owners such as pension plans and sovereign wealth funds.
• Innovative, investor orientated thinker able to create and exploit opportunities to cultivate and broaden relationships.
• Demonstrated leadership ability, professional disposition and presence, and investor centric “go-getter” attitude.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, negotiation, persuasion, organizational, planning, prioritization and presentation skills.
• Strong ability to interact with, present to, establish credibility and rapport with, and build and maintain positive and lasting relationships with investment fund executives, principals (trustees) and senior staff.
• Ability to present and convey information in a manner that influences and calls individuals to action. Clearly synthesize and articulate paradigm-shifting subjects with appropriate degree of nuance to maximize resonance with and receptiveness by investors and the Project funders.
• Agile learner with proven ability to understand, apply and effectively communicate new, evolving or existing concepts.
• Ability to crisply and clearly articulate the Project’s value proposition to key decision-makers.
• Entrepreneurial and energetic self-starter able to operate with minimal direct supervision while working well within a team environment.
• Exhibits strong emotional maturity and positive approach to challenges and setbacks, as well as an ability to react to change in a positive and productive manner.
• Exudes ambitious and hands-on work ethic, pays attention to detail and is able work within tight deadlines while managing multiple priorities.
• Ability to operate as part of a virtual network as well as in an office environment.
• Ability to work with a geographically distributed team.
• Proficiency in computer skills such as Microsoft Office Suite including PowerPoint and Excel.
• Experience with foundations and development work helpful.
• Experience with Sales Force and/or CRM software, preferred.

Salary is commensurate with experience.

To apply: Send resume, cover letter and salary requirements to settleson@gmail.com, subject line: 50/50 Institutional Investor Relationship Manager.

* The 50/50 Climate Project is a fiscally sponsored by As You Sow, a not-profit 501c (3) organization headquartered in Oakland, California.

The 50/50 Climate Project, (a fiscally sponsored project of As You Sow) will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of age, race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, marital status, sex, or sexual orientation. Further, the Project and As You Sow actively seeks to recruit and retain a diverse staff in all areas of operations. Women, people of color and minorities are encouraged to apply.