Job Description
About the Investor Network Team
The Investor Network team works with institutional investors to address climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and water scarcity and pollution. Through a range of initiatives and working groups, the team supports investors that are members of the Ceres Investor Network in engaging with companies, regulators and policy makers to accelerate the transition to a cleaner, more just and resilient world.
About the Role
The Senior Manager, Investor Network, Policy Engagement position leads the Ceres Investor Network policy engagement program. The Senior Manager has two primary duties: 1) preparing briefings for institutional investors about policy developments through written updates, working group meetings and other presentations; 2) facilitating investor outreach to policymakers and regulators in support of Ceres’ policy priorities on climate change, energy, and other issues. In addition to being a part of the Ceres Investor Network team, the Senior Manager will work collaboratively with staff across Ceres including the Policy, Accelerator, Climate & Energy, and Communications teams. The Senior Manager will also work with key external stakeholders as well as with Ceres’ global partner networks in Europe and Asia on mutually important policy priorities.
This full-time exempt position reports to a Senior Director on the Investor Network team. This role could be fully remote or could be based in the Ceres office in Boston, MA. The candidate must be able to work with employees in all US time zones.
Specific duties include but are not limited to the following:
- Lead the Ceres Investor Network policy engagement program by developing the program’s goals and strategies and by implementing the program’s work plan in collaboration with relevant Ceres teams.
- Manage the Ceres Investor Network Policy Working Group, a forum for investors to learn about policy developments and policy engagement opportunities on Ceres priorities on climate change, energy and other issues.
- Research policy developments on climate change, energy, and other issues and educate Ceres team members on opportunities for Ceres Investor Network member engagement.
- Prepare and deliver 1-on-1 briefings for Ceres Investor Network members on policy and regulatory developments.
- Recruit investors to do outreach to policymakers and regulators on priority issues and support investors by preparing briefing materials.
- Develop and cultivate relationships with relevant policymakers in collaboration with the Policy team staff.
- Support the Freedom to Invest campaign focused on defending the rights of investors to consider all material financial factors—including ESG risks—in their investment decisions and to propose shareholder resolutions.
- Build positive and productive working relationships with allies in other organizations that work with investors on policy issues.
- As organizational needs arise, and upon successful internal readiness evaluation by the communications and marketing team and relevant program leaders, this person may be called upon to serve as a public spokesperson for external speaking and media engagements and/or as a lead or contributing author for thought leadership. Duties could include managing editorial projects from start to finish, leading and/or supporting message and content development for reports, briefs, and op-eds and media materials, as well as managing consultants and partners.
- Coordinate with other teams (such as Policy, Accelerator, Climate & Energy, Communications, Development) as needed to accomplish organizational objectives.
- Participate in meetings and events with investors.
- Partner with Ceres staff on communications with funders and prospects.
- Participate in planning and organizing Investor Network meetings or other programmatic events.
- Work on annual planning, team management, and Ceres-wide processes.
- Serve as a primary relationship manager for some institutional investors that are Ceres Investor Network members and support membership recruitment efforts.
- Coordinate closely with global partners and initiatives, e.g., investor alliances, to develop and implement new global policy engagement initiatives.
- Track policy engagement activities, outcomes, and milestones using Ceres’ CRM (Salesforce) and other internal reporting systems.
- This role has the potential to supervise a limited number of team members on the Ceres Investor Network team, including project management oversight, training, and performance evaluation duties.
- Travel as necessary
- Other special projects of the Ceres Investor Network team as assigned.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree or commensurate experience required.
- Minimum of seven (7) years of relevant full-time experience required.
- Professional experience in advocacy or federal policy development on climate and energy issues, highly preferred; experience working with institutional investors or businesses is a plus.
- Substantive understanding of political processes, policymakers, and stakeholders and experience working with diverse constituencies including industry groups, nonprofits, policymakers and the media highly preferred.
- Experience establishing and cultivating relationships with government officials and investors/business leaders a plus.
- Excellent interpersonal, improvisational, facilitation, and relationship-building skills.
- Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills, with the capacity to think strategically and develop effective solutions in a fast-paced environment.
- Persuasive verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively in formal settings with different audiences and write across various mediums such as research memos, testimony, and talking points.
- Ability to work independently and across departments, while fostering team culture through effective collaboration and inclusive leadership.
- Demonstrated strong project management skills and attention to detail are required.
- Proven track record of successful supervision, staff management, and coaching.
- Effective presentation style as well as strong speaking and written communication skills for external and internal audiences.
- Sound judgment, sensitivity to diverse constituencies, excellent interpersonal skills, and strong initiative and motivation.
- Successful record of organizing multiple projects and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to work as part of a team and take a collaborative approach as well as deliver independent projects.
- Planning expertise and ability to deliver projects on deadlines within time and resource budgets.
- Proficient with word-processing, spreadsheet, presentation, database, and e-mail computer applications.
- Interest in being part of a diverse workforce and willingness to support Ceres’ Commitment to Inclusion and Equity.
- Ability to adapt and respond quickly to change.
- Willingness to travel in the U.S. and internationally.
Compensation and Benefits
The hiring salary is $91,300 – $108,400 with competitive benefits (Pay Grade 17). Ceres offers fantastic benefits including opportunities for hybrid and remote work; 80%, 82% or 85% (depending on your coverage election) employer paid health insurance and 85% employer paid dental insurance; a 403(b) retirement plan with a generous match that starts on day one; generous allowances for commuter and work from home expenses; flexible spending accounts to set aside money on a pre-tax basis for eligible expenses; 10 holidays, generous vacation, and additional paid time off including week-long summer and winter breaks, summer Fridays, and sick, personal, and parental leave.
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.
