Research Associate, Sustainability and Finance

~ The Sustainability Accounting Standards BoardTM (SASBTM) is a 501(c)3 non-profit that provides standards for use by publicly-listed corporations in the U.S. in disclosing material sustainability issues for the benefit of investors and the public. ~

SASB standards are designed for disclosure in mandatory filings to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), such as the Form 10-K and 20-F. SASB standards will result in the improved performance of 13,000+ corporations, representing over $16 trillion in funds, on the highest-priority environmental, social and governance issues.

Investors will benefit from data they can use to benchmark corporate performance on material sustainability issues at the industry level. Companies will gain a cost-effective way to prepare an integrated report using the Form 10-K, and manage performance on the most material issues. The public will benefit from improved transparency and competitiveness of US industry. 

Position Overview 

SASB is looking for a Research Associate/Associate, Sustainability and Finance who is passionate about addressing global sustainability challenges through business performance on environmental, social, and governance issues.

The role involves analyses at the intersection of sustainability and finance to identify sustainability issues that are likely to impact the value of companies in different industries. It offers you the opportunity to advance research in this evolving field, while developing industry and sector expertise and it connects you with a broad range of stakeholders, including major corporations, investors and public interest intermediaries.

SASB is located in San Francisco's Financial District and offers the fast-paced, entrepreneurial, and collaborative work environment of a start-up. The Associate role may involve some travel within the U.S. SASB organizes various team events throughout the year through its "Fun Committee."  

The Research Associatee will report directly to the assigned Associate Director of Standards Development.  

Responsibilities 

The Associate is responsible for identifying the unique sustainability issues that materially impact corporations in specific industries to contribute to the creation of industry-specific sustainability accounting standards for one or more industry sector.

You will manage a team of SASB researchers and a network of key internal and external stakeholders, including analysts, researchers and other experts with industry-specific financial and sustainability knowledge. Using his/her experience and knowledge in finance and sustainability the Associate will identify issues and metrics that are decision-useful and support financial analyses by investors.

You will use your strong writing and communication skills to produce briefing reports, white papers, and presentations which convey research results to a sophisticated audience of industry experts and financial analysts. The Associate will be responsible for producing advanced qualitative and quantitative research, financial, statistical, and other analyses to determine material sustainability issues for specific industries.

The Associate will adopt an evidence-based approach to research, looking at evidence of investor interest and evidence of financial impact to determine the materiality of sustainability issues. This will involve researching existing practices of integration of sustainability issues in financial analysis and internal company strategy.

Specific Duties: 

• Act as a ‘Sector Lead' for two or more SASB industry sectors, leading a team of SASB research associates and analysts in researching industry-specific material sustainability issues. Ensure evidence-based approach to research, looking at evidence of investor interest and evidence of financial impact.
• Identify a network of industry experts -- on the corporate and investor side - in collaboration with the Stakeholder Engagement Team. Ensure research team's regular engagement with industry experts, to gain insight on material sustainability issues.
• Work with the Technical Lead to develop metrics that account for company performance on material sustainability issues. Assist Technical Team in the development of technical protocols for each of the metrics.
• Manage the production of Draft Industry Research Briefings for each industry in sectors under responsibility, for consultation with SASB Industry Working Groups (IWG), summarizing findings on material sustainability issues, sources of evidence and accounting metrics. Ensure quality and consistency of briefings across sector. Produce other research briefings and supplementary papers to convey the results of the research to a sophisticated audience of industry experts and financial analysts.
• Lead the preparation and presentation of sector-specific information during SASB stakeholder engagements, including IWG webinars and SASB Delta Series workshop for sectors under responsibility.
• Lead the preparation and presentation for two SASB Standards Council meetings for each sector, including the tabulation of responses to IWG and Public Comment Period (PCP) comments.
• Assist Director of Standards Development in the preparation and presentation of quarterly SEC briefings for sectors under responsibility.
• Manage analysis of IWG feedback and finalization of material sustainability issues for standards development. Work with the Technical Lead to finalize accounting metrics on material sustainability issues for standards development. Assist Technical Lead in the development of Technical Protocols for each accounting metric.
• Work with the Technical Lead to analyze and incorporate feedback from PCP and finalize Accounting Metrics and Technical Protocols for each sector.
• Manage the production of Final Industry Research Briefings for each industry in sectors under responsibility, summarizing findings on material sustainability issues, sources of evidence and accounting metrics. Ensure quality and consistency of briefings across sector.
• Follow issues and trends in sectors under responsibility, write articles, blog(s) and other thought pieces about material issues in the sector, participate in key events as appropriate to provide visibility for SASB and build awareness around material sustainability issues.
• Manage response to comments, technical questions, and process of maintenance and revisions of standards post public-release.
• Provide sector expertise for SASB adoption strategy, including the SASB Corporate Roundtables, and for the development of SASB products, including educational products.
• Work with other Sector Leads on the research for industry-specific material sustainability issues and production of draft research briefings for one or more sectors not under responsibility.

Qualifications 

Desired Skills and Experience: 

• 5 - 8 years of experience as a financial research analyst, preferably at a financial institution. Experience in sustainability or environmental, social and governance (ESG) research preferred. Alternatively, experience in a corporate sustainability role preferred.
• Undergraduate degree (BA) required. Concentration in business, accounting, finance, economics or political science preferred. Master's Degree in Business Administration, Economics, Public Policy and Finance preferred. CFA considered a plus.
• Superior research and analysis skills; comprehension and synthesis of complex information.
• Excellent writing and speaking skills across a range of formats and audiences.
• Proven ability to manage competing priorities and deliver to strict deadlines.
• Demonstrated commitment to high professional, ethical standards and a diverse workplace.
• High energy, positive, "can-do" attitude, attention to detail and high degree of initiative.
• Collaborative work style; entrepreneurial; excels in a fast pace, changing team-based environment.

Compensation: SASB offers a competitive salary along with a generous PTO schedule, paid holidays, 401k plan, and Medical and Dental benefits to all eligible employees.