Senior Research Officer

What you’ll do

Working alongside three other researchers, you will assess banks’ positions on climate change and other sustainability themes. This involves collecting information from banks’ disclosures and external databases, analysing quantitative and qualitative data, and translating insights into actionable steps for banks and investors engaging with banks, among other stakeholders. You will have many opportunities to challenge banks and shape sustainability standards for the banking sector by contributing to:

• Investor briefings and short research notes reviewing climate commitments made by individual banks.
• Banking sector benchmark, ranking European banks on their approach to climate change and other sustainability themes.
• Thematic reports and internal position papers reviewing how the European banking sector aims to address specific issues and/or the relevant standards banks rely on.

In this rapidly evolving field, we are looking for a person with excellent research and communication skills, and passion to make a difference, to join our team. Your key responsibilities will be:

• Assessing banks’ climate commitments and conducting ad-hoc research on banks’ climate performance to generate insights that support campaigning needs and ongoing dialogue with key stakeholders
• Maintaining an internal database tracking banks’ sector policies and climate targets, enabling accurate and efficient use across various research and campaigning activities
• Drafting investor briefings and similar research materials in close collaboration with campaigners to support engagement with focus banks, members of our investor coalitions, journalists, and others
• Once comfortable in the role, presenting research to banks and providing technical expertise during calls with banks, investors, and other key stakeholders, with support from others in the team
• Conducting thematic research to inform our position and recommendations on climate change and other sustainability themes
• Contributing to the development of a survey methodology, collecting data, and analysing feedback to produce our banking benchmark
• Working closely with our communications team to coordinate press and social media around publications, and providing ad-hoc research support to the media team
• Assisting in the submission of responses to external consultations and taking ownership of consultations in specific areas of expertise
• Supporting our engagement workstream by helping organise webinars, sending research reports to banks, and helping colleagues answer banks and investors’ technical research questions
• On an ad-hoc basis, supporting other areas of work in the banking team, such as filing shareholder resolutions, drafting investor letters and AGM questions, and other operational needs

Please note that this list is not exhaustive and the role might change slightly from time to time

Requirements

What you’ll bring to the team

• A broad understanding of how the financial sector works and how financial institutions can impact sustainability issues, particularly climate change.
• A keen interest in driving the banking sector to better serve people and the planet
• Excellent analytical skills, attention to detail, and a proven ability to conduct qualitative and quantitative research
• Excellent written and oral communication skills—the ability to adapt writing style for a range of different audiences and to present ideas and concepts effectively and persuasively
• Excellent organisational skills, with a proven ability to manage competing demands while still meeting deadlines
• Comfortable planning or leading sub-areas of research as agreed, with oversight from the Senior Research Manager
• A great team player, willing to support projects for the banking campaign on an ad-hoc basis, such as filing resolutions and drafting AGM questions (if needed)
• A passion for our vision and mission

It would also be great – but not essential – if you have:

• Experience using financial databases such as Eikon and Bloomberg, or the ability to pick up new types of technologies or software quickly
• Experience developing and/or managing databases using Excel or other applications
• Knowledge and interest in biodiversity or human rights and how the financial sector can help address these issues
• Experience with CRM systems, ideally Salesforce

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 are currently formalising our hybrid working policy. However, the Banking team meets in the office every Tuesday as we find this helps with team bonding and productivity. We expect candidates based in London to come into the office at least once a week every Tuesday and candidates based outside of London to come into the office at least twice a month on a Tuesday.

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 cash plan; with Westfield that gives you money back on your healthcare costs.
• Employee assistance programme; advice and support, lifestyle discounts and short-term counselling.
• 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.