With the growth of sustainable investing, there is increasing demand for professionals with expertise in this area. Sustainable investment jobs span multiple functions like ESG research, portfolio management, product development, policy advocacy and more. Positions are available at asset managers, index providers, investment consultants, corporations, NGOs and other organizations globally. Candidates with finance credentials plus sustainability knowledge are highly sought after. Skills in areas like data analysis and stakeholder engagement are also valuable. As trillions of dollars flow into sustainable funds, these jobs provide great career prospects.
Asset managers seek ESG analysts and portfolio managers to integrate sustainability
As asset managers respond to client demand, they are hiring specialists to incorporate ESG factors across investment processes. ESG analysts conduct research on companies’ sustainability profiles and advise portfolio managers on risks and opportunities. Portfolio managers then construct sustainable investment portfolios by selecting companies with strong ESG performance. These jobs require financial analysis skills plus ESG data literacy.
Index providers hire specialists for index design, research and product development
Index providers like MSCI and S&P Global have teams focused on creating benchmarks that track sustainable companies and green bond issuance. They seek experts on topics like carbon accounting, human rights and green buildings to design index selection criteria. Other openings include index analysts, sales teams to educate investor clients as well as engineers and developers to build data platforms.
Investment consultants guide asset owners on sustainable investing approaches
Investment consultants advise large asset owners like pension plans and endowments on implementing sustainable investment programs. They help articulate ESG priorities, recommend asset managers and index products, set targets and track progress. Deep knowledge of institutional investor governance and capital markets is crucial for these strategic advisory roles.
Corporate sustainability teams need experts on ESG reporting, carbon neutrality and impact
As stakeholder activism and regulations on sustainability reporting grow, companies seek experts to strengthen their ESG disclosures and performance. Corporate sustainability teams hire specialists spanning project finance, supply chain management, HR policy, community engagement and environmental science. Leadership roles like Chief Sustainability Officer offer the opportunity to drive business transformation.
NGOs and industry groups offer policy, research and education roles
Nonprofits focused on sustainable finance hire experts in areas like policy design, financial regulation, industry engagement and market education. For example, groups like Ceres, the UN Principles for Responsible Investment and the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board have teams doing research, training and advocacy to mainstream sustainable investing.
In summary, the growth of sustainable investing is fueling demand and career opportunities across the investment value chain. From corporate sustainability to index construction and asset management, those with the right blend of sustainability expertise and investment experience are well positioned to capitalize.