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Responsible Investment Lead
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About the Company
Our client is an established independent charity focused on improving standards and accountability across the investment and financial system.
About the Role
This senior Programme Lead role will provide strategic and operational leadership for a major responsible investment programme, with a particular focus on investment standards, pension funds and other asset owners. The postholder will shape programme strategy, oversee research and investor engagement, influence policymakers and financial institutions, secure programme funding and represent our client externally.
Responsibilities
- Set the strategic direction for a portfolio of responsible investment programmes and campaigns, establishing clear objectives, theories of change and measures of impact.
- Lead the continued development of the responsible investment programme in line with our client’s long-term organisational strategy.
- Drive work designed to strengthen accountability and leadership among pension funds and other asset owners.
- Oversee research, benchmarking and guidance relating to asset managers, asset owners and responsible investment standards.
- Lead direct engagement with pension funds, asset managers, policymakers, civil society organisations and other stakeholders.
- Develop campaigns that influence investors, companies and policymakers across the UK and EU.
- Establish consistent programme planning, monitoring and impact-measurement frameworks.
- Report regularly to senior leadership on programme performance, progress, risks and strategic priorities.
- Coordinate responsible investment standards work with other organisational programmes to ensure alignment and consistency.
- Lead the development of funding proposals and secure significant funding for programme activity.
- Build and manage relationships with funders and support senior leaders with larger or cross-programme funding discussions.
- Represent our client at external events, in public forums and, where appropriate, through media engagement.
- Oversee delivery of the full programme portfolio, maintaining accountability for objectives, outputs and outcomes.
- Lead the Investor Engagement and Research team, including work on industry benchmarking, research, guidance and relationship-building.
- Oversee support provided to relevant investor and responsible investment stakeholder networks.
- Identify, monitor and manage programme and portfolio risks.
- Take overall responsibility for the programme’s financial performance and manage flexible budgets in line with available funding.
- Directly manage five members of staff and oversee the work of a further 12 colleagues.
- Provide matrix management across the wider portfolio and promote consistent programme management practices.
- Build an inclusive, supportive and effective team culture that encourages development and collaboration.
- Contribute to organisational approaches to research governance and programme quality.
- Monitor political, regulatory, commercial and sector developments affecting responsible investment.
- Horizon-scan emerging issues, including developments in artificial intelligence, bondholder stewardship and pension governance.
- Coordinate engagement with investors across the wider organisation and share learning and best practice with senior colleagues.
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Qualifications
- Proven experience leading complex programmes or portfolios designed to influence decision-makers, integrating multiple disciplines or approaches.
- Broad subject matter expertise across relevant campaigning, investment or thematic areas, with the ability to maintain strategic oversight across multiple topics.
- Knowledge of the pensions industry, including how it operates and the factors that influence pension fund decision-making.
- Experience leading funding bids and managing funder relationships, with a track record of securing significant funding.
- Strong stakeholder management skills, including experience developing senior-level external relationships.
- Experience leading and developing teams, including within matrix management structures.
- Demonstrated ability to build cohesive, healthy and supportive team cultures.
- Ability to develop and communicate strategy clearly and connect programme objectives with wider organisational priorities.
- Excellent project and programme management skills, including the ability to create consistent frameworks within fast-moving or contested environments.
- Strong financial management skills, including experience managing complex and flexible budgets.
- Ability to translate strategy into practical plans where established approaches may not exist.
- Confidence leading teams through change and developing innovative approaches.
- Understanding of responsible investment standards and stewardship.
- Understanding of the political and regulatory environment influencing investor behaviour in the UK and EU.
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Required Skills
- Experience acting as a lead spokesperson within an advocacy context, including public speaking or media engagement.
- Experience leading or delivering high-profile campaigns involving investors, civil society organisations, policymakers or other diverse stakeholders.
- Experience using external communications and media activity as part of a wider influencing strategy.
- Familiarity with programme or portfolio risk-management frameworks.
- Experience conducting or overseeing large-scale research projects.
Pay range and compensation package
Salary: £68,843.95 per year, plus 8% non-contributory pension contribution.
Equal Opportunity Statement
Our client welcomes applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds, experiences and transferable skills. Candidates are encouraged to apply even if they do not meet every listed criterion.
Application Process
Applications should be submitted through the recruitment consultant’s application process. The recruitment process is anonymised. Candidates will not be required to submit a cover letter, and CVs will not be reviewed until the interview stage, allowing initial assessment to focus on skills and experience. Candidates may be asked to complete application questions. Responses should accurately reflect the applicant’s own skills, knowledge and experience. Where artificial intelligence or other writing tools are used to assist with an application, candidates are asked to declare this clearly in their submission. First-round interviews will be held online during the week commencing 31 August 2026. Second-round interviews will be held in person in London during the week commencing 14 September 2026. Applicants must already be legally eligible to work in the UK. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. Flexible working requests are welcomed and can be discussed during the interview process, although particular arrangements cannot be guaranteed.
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