Senior Manager - Asset Owners Network, Europe

A4S is delighted to offer a unique opportunity to influence how senior individuals and the investment community respond to the sustainability challenges faced in the 21st century.   

A4S was established by HM King Charles III in 2004, when he was The Prince of Wales, "to help ensure that we are not battling to meet 21st century challenges with, at best, 20th century decision-making and reporting systems". Today we work with senior finance leaders including CFOs, investors, the accounting community, regulators and business schools and academia to drive a fundamental shift towards resilient business models and a sustainable economy.  

This role sits under our Capital Markets programme of work, which engages major financial institutions throughout the investment chain – including asset owners, managers, banks, insurance, as well as regulators, professional bodies, and NGOs – to help redirect flows of finance and investment towards sustainable outcomes and away from unsustainable ones. Specifically, the role supports the A4S Asset Owners Network, a network of pension scheme chairs that represents billions of pounds in assets under management, and exists to promote sustainability within investment and strategic decision making.

This Senior Manager role will collaborate with our Director of Capital Markets and Fundraising, the wider A4S team and key stakeholders in global finance to establish the European Chapter of the A4S Asset Owners Network and successfully run the Chapter in its inaugural year.

A4S has received funding for the first year of the Chapter’s activities, and we are working to secure longer term funding which would allow us to extend this contract. This position could also be suitable as a secondment placement.

Key responsibilities of the role include:

• Develop and implement a strategy for the timely and successful establishment of this Chapter. This will include completing landscape research on the most impactful European jurisdictions in which to expand the network, identifying target audiences and key intervention points, leading the invitation process and setting clear project milestones and processes.
• Leading the implementation of the strategy, which will include running quarterly network sessions, identifying hot topics and planning session agendas, securing expert speakers, and drafting all correspondence to members and session speakers.
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with key senior stakeholders.
• Coordinating the development and translation of assets from our ESG Toolkit for Pension Chairs and Trustees for the European market.
• Leading the monitoring and evaluation process for the grant provider for this project, reporting on progress and collating and feeding back learning when appropriate.

About you

We are looking for an individual with significant management experience within the financial sector in Europe, who excels in building strong relationships with very senior individuals within the financial sector. You will have excellent project management skills with a track record of delivering multi-stakeholder initiatives at the highest level, preferably in an international environment. This should include management of budgets and resource, and KPIs and reporting cycles, and the ability to identify and persuade on areas for improvement. You will have a proven ability to work independently and be able to respond effectively to change.

Experience and knowledge of the European financial markets is essential, with specific experience of the European pension industry a plus. Proficiency in one or more major European language, in addition to English, is a requirement of the role.

Download the full job description below.

Our values

A4S offers a competitive range of benefits, a good work-life balance, employee growth and development, and a vibrant organizational culture. 

You’ll join a small team of about 30, who are based primarily in and around London as well as in Europe, the APAC region and North America. You’ll interact and work with colleagues at all levels, and stay in the loop on the full extent of our system-changing programmes of work. We strive for a collaborative, supportive and non-hierarchical structure. 

To apply

You can find the full job description by following the link  – please read this carefully before applying.  If you have any questions about the role, please email hr@a4s.org where someone will be happy to assist – however, please note that applications sent by email will not be accepted.

Please complete the application form by clicking 'apply', submitting both your CV and a cover letter of no more than 2 pages as attachments where prompted.

We value a diverse and inclusive team, and we know that studies have shown that some potential applicants are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single requirement. If you are excited about this role but your past experience isn’t an exact match, we encourage you to apply and let us know what you can bring to it and A4S. You may be the right person for this job, or for future opportunities.

Your application should show an understanding of A4S and our programmes, and outline what you can bring to the role.

Applicants must have an existing right to work in the country where they will be based. We are unable to offer visa sponsorship.

For more guidance on applying to A4S, please see ‘Tips for your application to A4S’ annexed to this vacancy.