The UPP is a new, jointly sponsored, defined benefit pension plan that serves active, retired, and deferred members and beneficiaries from Queen’s University, Trent University, the University of Guelph, and the University of Toronto. UPP serves more than 35,000 members and manages assets of approximately $11 billion. The UPP is an exciting and ground-breaking pension start-up, intended to help enhance the long-term sustainability of defined benefit pension plans in the university sector for generations to come. Drawing on the decades of experience of our predecessors, our commitment is to protect the stability of our members’ pensions and deliver service excellence to our members and employers.
As a long-term investor, we recognize that environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors support risk management and value creation. As stated in our Responsible Investing Policy, we are committed to incorporating ESG considerations into our investment management activities and we collaborate with other industry participants in the promotion of a sustainable economy and society.
Our people drive performance. We live a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion – across race, place, gender expression, sexual identity, and cultures. The ability to bring your whole self to work drives performance. We actively look for talent that shares this commitment to inclusion and connectedness.
THE ROLE
This is an exciting opportunity for an exceptional professional to make a significant impact by helping integrate responsible investing practices into the investments of an exciting and ground-breaking new pension plan.
As part of a strong, dedicated internal Responsible Investing (“RI”) team and reporting to the Managing Director, RI, the Analyst, RI will build strong relationships and communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders in support of UPP’s comprehensive RI and ESG goals. The Analyst will contribute to organizational success by helping to develop the RI aspects of UPP’s investment strategy, undertaking stewardship activities, and helping to communicate with our members and other stakeholders. An inclusive ‘one fund’ mindset unites UPP’s investment team in a shared mission to meet the pension promise, deliver on UPP’s expectations as a responsible investor, and position our investment platform as a key competitive differentiator.
This dynamic role will provide opportunities to engage with internal Investment, Finance, Risk, and Communications partners as well as external stakeholders and partners.
Due to COVID-19 all roles are currently home-based. Eventually, this role will be based in downtown Toronto with some work-from-home flexibility.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
The key areas of accountability for the Analyst, RI include, but are not limited to, ESG integration, stewardship, and knowledge management:
ESG integration
- Support the evaluation, monitoring and reporting of the ESG characteristics of UPP’s investment portfolio (including climate and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) metrics)
- Work with UPP professionals to support systematic integration of ESG considerations into assessments of new investment opportunities and existing portfolio investments
- Support the collection and assessment of RI information from external investment managers
Stewardship
- Assist with proxy voting by analyzing agendas, ballot items and related materials in order ensure UPP’s votes are cast in accordance with our proxy voting policy
- Collaborate with UPP’s engagement service provider, membership organizations and external investment managers to ensure UPP is meeting its stewardship responsibilities
- Participate in strategic industry leadership or collaborative initiatives
- Contribute to UPP’s reputation as a respectful employer, partner, and participant in the financial sector
Knowledge management
- Stay up to date and provide thought leadership on methodologies and tools for ESG and climate change assessment, measurement, and management
- Support preparation of materials that provide UPP’s members, Trustees, Sponsors and other stakeholders with clear and transparent RI information
- Support training and educational opportunities for UPP staff and stakeholders
- Remain current on ESG trends and developments as well as the evolution of regulatory activity around RI and disseminate key information to key stakeholders
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
- An undergraduate or graduate degree in Environment and Business Sustainability, Financial Management, Legal Studies, Law or a related field
- A minimum of 2 years of related work experience in sustainability and/or corporate governance
- Strong understanding of important sustainability issues like climate change, diversity, equity and inclusion, corporate governance, Indigenous rights and reconciliation, biodiversity, human rights or impact measurement and management – ideally from an investor perspective
- Experience with proxy voting research and execution
- Strong computer skills including solid grasp of MS Office applications and advanced Excel skills
- Familiarity with the knowledge, skills, and abilities applied by investment professionals and in particular the responsible/sustainable aspects including ESG integration and stewardship (pursuit of CFA designation an asset)
- Familiarity with a range of financial instruments and alternative investment strategies such as hedge funds, private equity and credit, real estate, and infrastructure, as well as more traditional equity and fixed income strategies
- Familiarity with Canadian and global business, investment, and financial markets
ATTRIBUTES
- Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects in a time-sensitive manner
- Ability to build and preserve trusting relationships with peers, external partners and stakeholders
- Persuasive and confident communicator, both verbal and written
- High degree of professional ethics and integrity
- Strategic, analytical, and entrepreneurial mindset
- Resourceful and persistent in gathering and assessing information with the ability to quickly distill complex concepts
PERSONALITY TRAITS
- Positive attitude
- Self-motivated
- Strong work ethic
- Collaborative
- Resourceful
- Curious
- Passionate about sustainability
If interested, please apply here.
