Research Analyst

The Sustainability Accounting Standards BoardTM (SASBTM) is a non-profit organization engaged in the development and dissemination of industry-specific sustainability accounting standards.

SASB is establishing an understanding of material sustainability issues facing industries and creating sustainability accounting standards suitable for disclosure in standard filings such as the Form 10-K and 20-F.

SASB addresses the unique needs of the U.S. market, establishing standards for integrated reporting that are concise, comparable within an industry, and relevant to all ~13,000 publicly listed companies in the U.S. 

Position Overview:

The Research Analyst is responsible for creating industry-specific sustainability accounting standards. The position will perform quantitative research, data mining, modeling, and other analyses to determine material sustainability issues for specific industries and sectors, and harvest existing sustainability Key Performance Indicators (KPI) and develop new ones as needed.

The Analyst is required to develop relationships with industry analysts/researchers/experts with industry specific financial and sustainability expertise. The Analyst is expected to be or quickly become fully proficient analyzing industries from both financial and sustainability perspectives.

The position requires tenacity and creativity to conduct research, draw insights, synthesize large amounts of data and develop/maintain key industry analyst relationships. It is essential that the Analyst quickly identify the most salient sustainability issues within an industry and understand how those issues are or can best be measured and disclosed.

The Analyst will manage multiple industries and sectors simultaneously. Additionally, the Analyst will also be on the lookout for evidence demonstrating links between sustainability and corporate valuation, whether academic, quantitative or simply anecdotal. This position reports to the Director of Standards Development.

SASB is seeking an exceptionally talented candidate with a track record of success.

Responsibilities:

• Create industry specific sustainability accounting standards for material issues in each industry on a rolling basis (~9 industries per quarter, for a total of 88 industries).
• Cultivate, develop and maintain new and ongoing relationships with numerous and diverse industry contacts in order to stay informed and participate in relevant thought leadership.
• Leverage that network to accelerate the development of SASB's sustainability accounting standards, incorporating existing standards as appropriate. This is a key activity for this role.
• Partner with Stakeholder Engagement Managers to utilize industry stakeholders' feedback and ideas to improve sustainability accounting standards.
• Produce research reports, presentations, and summary analysis for internal and external audiences.
• Become an expert in sustainability accounting standards and sustainability as a factor in traditional corporate valuations (discounted cash flows, etc.).
• Maintain and improve SASB's industry classification schema which is used to group industries by their use of resources and sustainability impacts/opportunities.
• Maintain and improve SASB's materiality map, which is used to identify material issues on an industry by industry basis.
• Periodically refine the map by evaluating sustainability issues, the tests/methodology used to determine materiality, key words and the test data sources.

Organizational Leadership & Effectiveness

• Consult with SASB leadership team on matters related to materiality, standards development, research practices, business structure/strategy and growth.
• Drive initiatives for the SASB leadership team and organization that contribute to long-term organizational excellence.
• Liaise with functional leads to maximize internal research and standards development.

Qualifications:

• This is a fast paced environment requiring self-direction, accountability, and high degree of personal initiative. The Analyst must be able to work independently and produce high quality output. We're looking for a leader to personally drive our research and standards to success.
• Strong self-starter with ability to initiate work, manage performance to fulfill responsibilities in the face of competing priorities and meet strict deadlines.
• Ideal candidate will have 3 - 5 plus years' experience as an ESG research analyst or similar, performing quantitative research/analysis, data modeling, and data mining.
• Expertise in corporate sustainability, integrated reporting and/or assurance of non-financial data a plus.
• BA (required), MBA (or equivalent) and CFA a plus. Prefer finance and accounting related degrees.
• Superior research and analysis skills and comprehension/synthesis of complex information.
• Excellent writing skills across a range of formats and audiences. 
• Experience with Bloomberg Terminals a plus.
• High energy level with a sense of urgency and a results oriented approach.
• Positive, "can-do" attitude, flexibility, teamwork, and attention to detail; high degree of initiative.
• Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills and a collaborative work style.
• Excels at operating in a fast pace, community environment.
• Excellent people person, open to direction and suggestions.
• Collaborative work style and commitment to getting the job done.
• Ability to challenge and debate issues of importance to the organization, analyzing situations from several points of view.
• Persuasive with details and facts.
• A demonstrated commitment to high professional ethical standards and a diverse workplace.
• Proficient computer skills including Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office.

 To Apply:

Please click below: "Apply Here!" to begin the application process.