Climate & Nature Investment Strategist
In this role you operate as a strategic lead and work with the Managing Director Responsible Investment Strategy & Partnerships to support the Management Board of APG Asset Management (AM) in defining the 2030 climate and nature strategy and embedding it across the organization. By doing this, you contribute to the overall APG corporate strategy as well as APG’s external positioning. Climate and nature expertise, strategic thinking and communication skills are key elements of this role, as well as a strong understanding of portfolio management.
The role
Climate and Nature are overarching themes for APG as a corporate and when investing on behalf of its clients. We are looking for a climate and nature strategist to set the direction on these themes from a total portfolio perspective to anticipate on future developments and ensure that APG and its clients remain leading in their approach. What do we mean by that?
APG invests in different private and public asset classes on behalf its clients. All asset classes have developed and are implementing a strategy how to address climate and nature risks and opportunities in line with client objectives. Our clients have defined carbon reduction goals, as well as investment targets for climate and nature solutions and aim to be nature positive. Moreover, climate & nature are integrated within stewardship activities.
RI S&P operates at the total portfolio and the strategy level and is not responsible for implementation in the portfolio. However, we review consistency of methodologies and approaches across the portfolio and between different RI products of which climate & nature are a component. Through such review we guide on future product and strategy development. Therefore the strategist would be expected to understand asset class approaches and put them into the overall context, identifying any room for further development.
Various regulatory initiatives apply to APG as a corporate and/ or the portfolio we manage. As a strategist you understand how these interact and affect the wider market and the products that we offer. Keeping up to date on market developments and thinking, including new methodologies and data sources is an essential part of the role, and translating those into our context in order to lead within APG as a subject matter expert. The strategist will facilitate the APG community of investment professionals to help build everyone’s knowledge and understanding. He/ she will also advise on how APG can best use its influence with regard to policy and standard setting initiatives.
The strategist works closely with the multi asset team to embed climate and nature into monitoring and steering the total portfolio, and thereby supporting the Investment Committee in asset allocation decision.
What you would do
This role contributes to RI S&P’s overall goals of:
- defining APG 2030 RI strategy and linking it to APG Group corporate strategy
- strategic positioning of APG as leading long-term responsible investor
- defining APG’s strategy for engaging with external parties to build relationships and in support of its own strategic future
- identifying areas for innovation and improvement when implementing APG’s RI Strategy, and translating these into workable solutions together with the relevant teams
- ensuring RI is embedded in the management of the total portfolio
- defining APG’s RI USP and how to communicate it effectively both internally and externally creating internal alignment to ensure that APG as a whole is effectively represented towards policymakers (lobby) and standard setters, as well as in industry initiatives building a network of likeminded peers and fostering external relationships that may lead to better investment opportunities and organisational efficiency and development
- bringing into the organisation an external market perspective on RI-related data and systems solutions, in collaboration with the COO and other relevant department, with a focus on agility and cost efficiency
- facilitating knowledge exchange sessions with external speakers on key transition topics of food, materials, and energy
You will be based in Amsterdam at our office at Amsterdam Sloterdijk, with the possibility to work from home a part of the week.
What you bring
We ask that you are an independent and strategic thinker with excellent communication skills, who builds and maintains strong relationships. You have high standards for the quality of your work and your organizational sensitivity towards both the client and APG is well developed. You are a team player and will work closely and flexibly with the RI Strategy & Partnerships Manager and MD RI Strategy & Partnerships, and other internal and external stakeholders.
Furthermore we ask for:
- at least master level education in relevant fields (advisory, strategy, finance, business management, sustainability)
- at least 10 years of RI and investment industry experience
- demonstrable climate and nature expertise
- experience in policy engagement is desirable
- exceptional problem solving, structuring and analytical skills
- ability to identify new opportunities and build initiatives out of them (innovation)
- strong communication, cross-functional relationship building and influencing skills
- collaborative team player and can do attitude
- ability to thrive in an environment of constant change
- alignment with APG values
- an excellent command of English
What we offer you
We offer you a competitive monthly salary based on 40-hours and attractive terms of employment with a focus on flexibility. Further we offer:
- A guaranteed year-end bonus of 8.33%
- A generous mobility budget
- Attention to your vitality and personal development
- Ability to grow your professional network, internally as well as externally
- Working from home for 2 to 3 days, and also working from one of our beautiful offices
- And of course a well-organized pension
Where you will work
For pension provider APG, pension is about people, life, and living together. With careful asset management, pension administration, communication and advice, we work on a livable future for current and future generations. One in which we share prosperity and well-being fairly and sustainably. Now and later.
APG is committed to around 4.5 million people in the Netherlands, which is why we believe it is important to be a reflection of Dutch society. This means that APG strives for an inclusive work environment, in which everyone can be themselves and where your unique qualities are embraced.
When you choose to work at APG, you're choosing a job where you contribute to a bright future. And that's not all. You're also choosing the best employer in the Netherlands in the financial sector! Curious why APG scored so well in the Randstad Employer Brand Research? Check out the article and apply now!
More information
Get in touch with Recruiter Bart Creusen via 0651034558 or bart.creusen@apg.nl or Managing Director RI Strategy & Partnerships Claudia Kruse via claudia.kruse@apg-am.nl who can tell you more about the specifics of the position.
Do you see your future at APG? Apply no later than 21/10/2024 and let yourself be seen.
A pre-employment screening is part of the on-boarding. An assessment and/or business case can be part of the procedure. We do not appreciate acquisition in response to this vacancy.