Associate - Responsible Investments

Position Overview:

StepStone is seeking candidates with a demonstrated interest in ESG in private markets and excellent quantitative, qualitative, and interpersonal skills for an Associate position on StepStone's Responsible Investment (RI) Team.

The Associate is expected to have a strong understanding of Impact and ESG concepts and issues, excellent project management skills, a demonstrable track record in RI reporting, experience supervising junior team members, and working knowledge of private markets asset classes and investment strategies.

The Associate will coordinate cross-functionally to enable reporting production and develop and implement initiatives that deepen StepStone’s commitment to ESG and impact at the corporate level and across StepStone’s asset classes, spanning private equity, private debt, real estate, and real assets.

The candidate will have prior experience at an investment manager, investment bank, or specialist ESG/Sustainability/Environmental advisor or consultant. The Associate is expected to have a demonstrable interest in the private markets.

The ideal candidate will possess at least a bachelor’s degree and two to five years of relevant experience in sustainability, project management, private equity, consulting, or other relevant fields.

The Associate will adhere to the highest ethical standards and demonstrate maturity, reliability, and attentiveness to detail. 

Essential Job Functions: 

• Lead the cross-functional production of StepStone’s combined RI, Stewardship, and corporate sustainability report.
• Support investment teams with implementing StepStone’s ESG due diligence, post-investment, and reporting framework. This includes providing detailed, timely guidance on policies, processes, and precedents.
• Work closely with StepStone’s Head of Responsible Investment and other members of StepStone’s RI team to develop, drive, and execute various projects to support the Firm’s ESG initiatives.
• Manage a range of projects end-to-end; ensure ESG initiatives are progressing under the ESG Strategic Plan.
• Develop and deliver training to colleagues and provide feedback on RI due diligence.
• Coordinate with asset class-level RI Workgroups to further ESG initiatives.
• Develop ESG and Impact-related materials, including customized presentations for client meetings, RFP responses, and materials for events such as annual meetings, white papers, press releases, website, etc.
• Continually enhance StepStone’s ESG framework and tools and periodically develop and deliver training to investment teams.
• Support RI Team colleagues with GP engagements.
• Monitor global ESG trends and emerging best practices, providing insights to leadership and identifying and executing enhancements to the firm’s ESG practices.
• Assist with coordinating StepStone’s involvement in ESG industry initiatives and events.
• Assist with implementing corporate sustainability initiatives such as carbon footprinting and commitment to carbon neutrality, diversity and inclusion, charitable giving, etc.

Education and/or Work Experience Requirements:

• BA/BS in STEM subjects or other relevant fields such as Business, Finance, Economics, Accounting, Political Science, International Relations or equivalent relevant experience or related educational background.
• At least two years of relevant experience are required, 3-5 years preferred; experience in ESG or corporate sustainability is required.
• Prior work experience in ESG integration and reporting at an investment manager (ideally in private markets, but public markets will be considered) or specialist ESG/Sustainability/Environmental advisor/ or consultant with private markets client experience.
• Demonstrated track record of academic and professional success.

Other Desired Skills/Attributes

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work with cross-functional teams.
• Meticulous attention to detail; strong organizational and project management skills and the ability to multi-task and manage time across multiple projects/deadlines in a detail-oriented environment.
• Highly motivated self-starter with a demonstrated history of taking initiative and finding creative solutions to complex challenges.
• Excellent analytical skills, including comfort working with large data sets.
• Working knowledge of key ESG issues (climate change, diversity, human rights, etc.) and leading ESG and impact frameworks (UN PRI, TCFD, SASB, UN SDGs, IMP, etc.).
• Experience and/or exposure to global responsible investment regulatory standards
• High proficiency in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
• Flexibility—StepStone is a dynamic and entrepreneurial organization; all professionals are expected to perform multiple functions.
• Promote and demonstrate a positive, team-oriented attitude.
• Evidence of ESG certification (e.g. SASB FSA credential), Impact courses, and/or PMP certification are plusses but not required.
• Ability to work across international offices and time zones.

•

Last updated on Aug 19, 2024