Senior Manager, Investor Initiative for Sustainable Exchanges (IISE), Investor Program

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 115 institutional investors representing more than $14 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 (www.ceres.org).

Description & Responsibilities The Senior Manager, Investor Initiative for Sustainable Exchanges (ISSE) position is a full-time role, reporting to the Director of the Investor Initiative on Sustainable Exchanges Project. This role will support the Food and Capital Markets Initiative, a new multi-organization collaboration working to enhance the sustainability of key food supply chains. This position will focus on global stock exchanges adopting listing requirements and mandatory sustainability reporting as a lever to drive sustainability of key food supply chains. Ceres responsibilities as part of this program involve working with Ceres’ Investor, Corporate, NGO, and Policy partners. Candidates should have specific expertise in sustainability disclosure standards and investor engagement to help lead our work with stock exchanges. This role will be based in Boston, MA.

Specific duties include, but are not limited to the following:  Recruit and organize investors to be vocal advocates for IISE work.  Communicate directly with investors, companies, exchanges and regulators on IISE priorities.  Organize dialogues between investors and stock exchanges on sustainability disclosure topics.  Oversee and manage our IISE Working Group, including member engagement, agenda setting, building consensus amount the group of key priorities, and follow up.  Support the implementation and development of IISE management and planning systems, including developing goals, tracking indicators and evaluating the results and progress of the program.  Serve as a relationship manager with a select group of investors in the IISE Working Group.  Develop and manage the production, release and distribution of research reports and related blog posts, op-eds, and articles that advance the IISE’s work around listing rules at global stock exchanges on mandatory sustainability reporting.  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.  Keep current on IISE-related news and progress around the world and serve as resource to colleagues.  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.  Assist with planning, research, logistics, and strategy for Ceres annual conference and other events or meetings, to further IISE programmatic work.  Partner with other Ceres’ staff on integrated program initiatives and events.  Represent Ceres and IISE as a speaker at national and international conferences and events.  Supervise interns and contract staff on IISE projects, as needed.  Travel as necessary. Anticipate up to 2 trips a month; domestic or international.

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 financial regulatory issues.  Experience organizing people through relationship building, outreach, advocate cultivation and consensus building.  Strong investor network of contacts, a plus.  Substantial expertise on sustainability reporting, with preference for sustainability disclosure frameworks preferred. (e.g. GRI, IR, CDP, SASB)  Demonstrated experience in relationship management, particularly engaging leaders in the corporate or investor community.  Ability to make strong connections between IISE issues and articulate the impacts and implications for corporate and investor 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.  Demonstrated problem-solving skills and the ability to think on your feet.  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: www.ceres.org. Applicants should submit a resume, cover letter, two writing samples, and a list of three references, to [email protected]. Please use the words “Senior Manager, IISE” 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.