DescriptionAt J.P. Morgan Asset Management, we provide equity solutions to many of the world’s largest pension plans, sovereign wealth funds and central banks. The cornerstone of our approach to equity investing is our dedication to in-house research. Our on-the-ground presence in key markets, combined with structured collaboration across regions and sectors, allows us to identify, share and compare ideas around the globe. Our equity investment processes are founded on tried and tested investment philosophies, consistently applied, within a robust risk management framework. We provide equity strategies across regions, sectors, styles and the market cap spectrum.
Job Summary
JPMAM is seeking to hire an Investment Stewardship Specialist for the Sustainable Investing team. You will support the delivery of the annual and long-term objectives of the JPMAM’s investment stewardship programme and contribute to carrying out governance analysis, engagement, and proxy voting. S/he will be driving and supporting efforts in sustainability theme-focused corporate engagement, relevant proxy voting, thought leadership/research and reporting. You will be in a front office environment and will involve regular interaction with our research analysts and portfolio managers across Equities, Fixed Income and Multi-Assets Solutions to coordinate and align engagement activities and voting, as well as engaging with representatives of the companies in which we invest on specific environmental, social and governance policies and practices.
You will possess a passion for creative and critical thinking about financial markets, and a desire to be part of a fast-growing team. This role will report to the Head of Investment Stewardship, North America.
Job Responsibilities
- Drive corporate engagement in collaboration with investment teams on sustainability themes; research and develop the engagement agenda and pipeline; coordinate between different investment teams to ensure alignment on key engagement issues.
- Support and coordinate as required any theme-relevant proxy voting in collaboration with the investment teams and other Investment Stewardship Specialists; support voting related reporting and communication with client teams.
- Design engagement framework for specific environmental, social and governance (ESG) themes and support in delivering theme-specific criteria and outcomes/impact measurement approaches.
- Engage with representatives of portfolio companies (including at senior levels) to encourage business practices that support sustainable long-term performance and transparency of outcomes reporting as well as to ensure an understanding of JPMAM’s views on ESG issues.
- Develop and take ownership of reporting of theme-specific corporate engagement and voting activities in collaboration with the investment and stewardship teams; assist with NP-X filings, partner with JPMAM’s client servicing teams to ensure client reporting and client presentations meet expectations, and that client queries on our stewardship activities are responded to promptly and to the satisfaction of the client.
- Build key working relationships across internal constituents from investment teams, business teams and corporate teams.
- Support the production of thought leadership / white papers on investment stewardship topics.
Required qualifications, capabilities and skills
- Minimum undergraduate with a degree in finance, economics, law, accounting or public policy.
- Experience in Financial services
- Experience with ESG related issues and its overlaps with investment management. Desire to continue to learn and upgrade domain knowledge in ESG.
- Proven presentation, communication and influencing skills; strong report writing skills; ability to engage with clients / corporates / industry bodies.
- Ability / willingness to work with key internal groups – portfolio managers, analysts, product specialists, RFP teams, corporate actions teams; previous buy-side experience on relevant investment approaches an advantage.
- Ability to work and drive change effectively in a global, high volume, rapid pace, deadline-oriented environment.
- Team player.
- Strong self-motivation and analytical skills.
Preferred qualifications, capabilities and skills
- Experience preferably in Asset Management with preference for previous exposure to investment stewardship activities including proxy voting and engagement.
