Sustainability Associate

SUMMARY

The Sustainability Associate is a cross-functional role within GCM Grosvenor’s dedicated Sustainable & Impact Investing team.  The Sustainability team works to drive Sustainable & Impact Investing efforts across four distinct spheres of the firm: Investments, Client Solutions, Operations and Corporate.   The team leads Sustainable Investing strategy, product development, client engagement and integration within our investment teams.  Working directly with the Managing Director of Sustainability – alongside Senior Management, Investments, Investor Relations, Marketing and Business Development teams – the Associate will have significant breadth of responsibility with significant room for growth.  Sustainable & Impact Investing has become a key area of growth for our business as this rapidly evolving space is garnering increased attention from our clients, prospective clients, regulators and public company investors/analysts. 

The ideal candidate is a versatile, high performing professional with an entrepreneurial spirit and desire to grow through cross-functional exposure and a front seat to a newer business build.

As an onsite/hybrid employee, you are expected to be in the office on Tuesdays and Wednesdays as well as a third day in coordination with your manager.

RESPONSIBILITIES           

• Partner with investment teams across Private Equity, Infrastructure, Real Estate, Credit and Absolute Return Strategies to build sustainable GP relationships and drive deal flow.
• Work closely with Sustainability & Impact Investment Leads to develop best-in class underwriting and measurement frameworks.
• Monitor and implement industry best practices to consistently improve sustainability due diligence, monitoring and Investment Committee recommendations.
• Identify sustainability mega-trends and strategies for potential areas of new investment.
• Analyze and synthesize market research on industry trends, competitor dynamics, demographic changes, compliance updates and other industry information.
• Support lead generation and engagement with clients/prospects interested in customized Sustainable and Impact solutions that prioritize the themes most important to them.
• Become one of GCM’s subject-matter experts in Sustainable Investing/ESG for clients and prospects.
• Complete client requests (RFP/DDQ) and firm deliverables around Sustainable Investing.
• Partner with marketing and brand & communications to develop new client content and events (i.e. webinars, impact report).
• Work with cross-functional teams to support strategic and operational initiatives related to Sustainable and Impact Investing.
• Lead engagement with Reporting 21, an ESG SaaS provider and consultant, to manage GCM Grosvenor’s Sustainability Ecosystem focused on qualitative and quantitative data collection and monitoring.
• Partner with Reporting & IT teams to enhance Sustainability & Impact client reporting suite.
• Assist in firmwide policies and compliance processes related to Sustainability.
• Ensure sustainability focused solutions meet evolving market and regulatory standards.
• Play a key role in the implementation of our firmwide ESG strategy, adoption of evolving industry best practices, and Sustainability integration across the investment evaluation process.
• Collaborate with Senior Management, GCM’s ESG Committee and Investor Relations on the GCMG Impact Report, PRI Annual Assessment, Third Party ESG Ratings and Carbon Neutrality certification.
• Assist in evaluating inorganic growth opportunities in Sustainable strategies to capture strong demand and gain access to new markets through M&A.

EDUCATION, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• 5 or more years of experience in an analytically rigorous position.
• Versatile, strategic thinker who is a self-starter with interest in business building.
• High attention to detail and time management skills with the ability to multi-task and balance priorities.
• Advanced Excel skills and proficiency with PowerPoint.
• Understanding of alternatives, private markets and sub-strategies / implementation styles.
• Outstanding cross-functional project management, organization, and problem-solving skills.
• Fast learner who can understand different investment verticals, sub-strategies and products.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to effectively build relationships with internal stakeholders, senior management, and peers.
• Proven track record of successfully managing complex projects from inception to completion within a deadline driven, dynamic environment.
• Experience preparing client deliverables and presentations.
• Business development / Client Solutions experience is a plus.

In terms of cultural fit, the successful candidate will be self-motivated and energized by working amongst a group of thoughtful, smart, and successful colleagues. He or she will enjoy being part of an organization focused on excellence and will be a naturally collaborative person who enjoys interacting with individuals at all levels. Additionally, he or she will be a strong team player with a proactive approach and the ability to exercise discretion and judgment.

CULTURE

We are not afraid to think differently. Embrace new ideas. Dream big. Welcome change. We are a culture of empowerment, accountability, high performance, and trust. Successful team members are self-motivated and energized by working alongside thoughtful and smart colleagues in a fast-paced environment. Individuals who thrive on this team enjoy being a part of an organization focused on excellence. We look for naturally collaborative individuals who enjoy interacting at all levels of the organization. 

DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION

A diverse, engaged team is critical to our ability to successfully create and deliver value to our clients. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where diverse professionals can thrive professionally, and we are dedicated to training, retaining, and promoting minorities, women, LGBTQ employees, veterans and individuals with disabilities. Over 55% of GCM Grosvenor employees and 43% of executive management are women and/or ethnically diverse individuals. In addition, we seek to drive a more diverse, inclusive industry through our partnership with diverse professionals organizations and by consciously working with subcontractors and vendors that are certified as minority-, women-, or persons with disabilities-owned businesses.