Responsible Investment Standards Programme Lead

• Day to day, you'll oversee delivery of the whole programme portfolio, holding responsibility for its objectives and outputs. At the heart of this is our Investor Engagement and Research team, which you'll lead directly - overseeing everything from benchmarking the asset management industry, to publishing research and guidance for asset owners, to building the relationships that drive up standards, to providing secretariat support for our CRIN and RINU networks. You'll keep an eye on risk across the portfolio, and work closely with peers across ShareAction's Extended Leadership Team to keep it all well-coordinated.

• You'll take overall responsibility for the programme's financial performance, working with programme staff to manage budgets that flex in line with fundraising income. On the people side, you'll directly manage 5 members of staff and oversee the work of 12 more, building a team culture that's healthy, inclusive and genuinely supportive. You'll also matrix manage colleagues across the wider portfolio, and share learning and best practice to build consistency across programmes - including helping shape how ShareAction approaches research governance more broadly.

• We'll also look to you to stay on top of best practice across communications, campaigns, policy, research and investor engagement, and to keep pace with political, commercial and sector developments - including horizon-scanning on emerging themes like AI, bondholder stewardship and pension governance, so RIS is always ahead of the debate, and coordinating engagement with investors across the organisation.

• You'll work closely with other Programme Leads, the Leadership Team, and stakeholders including asset owners, asset managers and funders - using your skills to influence real change in how the financial system serves people and the planet.

If this role sounds like something that would build on your current skill set and engage you, we'd love to hear from you!

Requirements

What you'll bring to the team

We're Looking For Someone With

• A proven track record of leading complex programmes or portfolios that influence the choices of decision-makers. These should be programmes which integrate a range of disciplines and levers, ideally in a not-for-profit or campaigning context.
• Broad subject matter expertise across relevant campaign or thematic areas, and the ability to hold strategic oversight across multiple topics.
• Knowledge of the pensions industry: how it works and what incentivises pension funds to take action.
• Experience leading bid development and managing funder relationships, with a track record of securing significant funding.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, including developing senior-level external relationships.
• Experience leading and developing teams, including through matrix management structures, and creating cohesive, healthy and supportive team cultures.
• The ability to develop and communicate strategy clearly, connecting programme-level work to organisational priorities.
• Excellent project and programme management skills, including designing consistent frameworks in fast-moving, contested contexts.
• Strong financial management skills, including managing complex, flexible budgets.
• The ability to translate strategy into actionable plans in contexts where there might be no tried and tested playbook, with enthusiasm for innovation and confidence in leading others through change.
• Some understanding of responsible investment standards, stewardship, and the political and regulatory landscape shaping investor behaviour in the UK and EU.

It Would Also Be Great If You Have

• Experience as a lead spokesperson in an advocacy context, through public speaking or media engagement.
• Experience leading and/or running high-profile campaigns that mobilise diverse stakeholders, including investors, civil society and policymakers.
• Experience using external communications and media as a tool for change.
• Familiarity with risk management frameworks in a programme or portfolio context.
• Experience conducting and overseeing large research projects.

While we hope we'll find someone with the majority of these skills and experience, we're keen to hear from you even if you don't have them all. We appreciate lots of skills are transferable, and we welcome opportunities to explore different ways of achieving our goals.

We have a formal hybrid working policy in place. As this role involves regular engagement with London-based stakeholders, you can expect regular time in our Aldgate office (typically at least once or twice a week), alongside the flexibility to work in a way that suits you.

What We Will Do For You

We are a fast-paced organisation that has grown substantially over the past few years. We recognise that our people work hard to advocate for responsible investment and drive meaningful engagement with those who have the power to create a brighter future. Every day they bring their expertise, passion and persistence to build a world where the financial system serves our people and planet. We want to ensure we provide the right environment for our colleagues to thrive and we are committed to improving our employee offer where possible.

Currently We Are Pleased To Offer

• Commitment to flexible working; over 60% of our employees have some sort of flexible working arrangement in place
• Hybrid working; we are committed to supporting our staff to work in a way that suits their lifestyle and meets the requirements of their role
• Internal promotion and development opportunities; we offer a range of ways to improve your skills and focus on what you love, including promotion, secondment, or sideways development opportunities. For some levels of roles, we also offer direct progression.
• Opportunity to help make a difference; we tackle some of the world’s biggest social and environmental challenges. We offer opportunities for you to develop your skills and experience in a friendly, flexible and supportive working environment.
• Unionised work environment; our staff have the opportunity to join the union, and are supported by our recognised union, Unite. We regularly consult and negotiate with our employees on workplace matters ranging from working conditions to pay.
• Regular in-person meetings; including all-staff away days, retreats and directorate strategy days to create connected teams.
• 8% non-contributory pension; invested with NEST and their green funds.
• Healthcare plan; with Bupa
• Employee assistance programme; advice and support, lifestyle discounts and short-term counselling
• Death in Service cover of 3x salary
• 25 days’ annual leave (increasing with length of service) plus office closure at the end of the year; ensuring everyone gets time to switch off together.
• Enhanced family leave pay; up to 18 weeks’ paid at 90% for either parent.
• Enhanced sick pay; starting at 5 weeks’ full pay from day 1.
• Season ticket loan and cycle to work scheme.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Flexible working hours
• Paid annual leave