Senior Research Officer – Climate Change

ShareAction is an independent charity and an expert on responsible investment. We work to build a world where the financial system serves our planet and its people. We set ambitious standards for how financial institutions, through their investment decisions, can protect our planet and its people and campaign for this approach to become the norm. We convene shareholders to collectively push companies to tackle the climate crisis, protect nature, improve workers’ rights and shape healthier societies. In the UK and EU, we advocate for financial regulation that has society’s best interests at its core.

What you’ll do

The Corporate Climate team works to pressure some of the world’s largest companies to act on climate change and transition away from fossil fuels. We do this by working with investors, through a combination of public campaigning and private engagement, and encouraging them to use their shareholder rights for change.

Working with the Senior Research Manager, you will produce research and analysis on high-carbon sectors and companies, their business strategies, their climate impacts, and how they can decarbonise. Our research needs are varied, from technical deep dives into new technologies to quick-fire briefings on companies’ new climate targets. To separate facts from greenwashing, an eye for detail is a must.

You will work closely with the Campaign Manager and Communications team to promote our research to investors and public audiences. You will also contribute to other climate-related work inside ShareAction and manage relationships with a range of civil society organisations across the climate movement.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Conducting and leading research on a broad range of topics at the intersection of climate change, the financial system, and a number of industry sectors. Our current focus is on European chemicals, but future work may include work on real estate, energy, and the food system.
• Producing reports, briefings and ad-hoc research for a range of audiences, including investors and the media.
• Supporting the climate campaigns team to prepare for meetings with companies and financial institutions.
• Working closely with our internal communications team to coordinate press and social media around publications and collaborate with other teams across the organisation as needed.
• Liaising with external audiences and developing/maintaining relationships with civil society organisations and financial institutions.
• Identifying new developments and trends in the external environment which may provide opportunities for our mission.

If this role sounds like something that would build on your current skill set and engage you, we’d love to hear from you!

What you’ll bring to the team

We’re looking for an analyst with excellent communication skills and a strong interest in decarbonisation. You needn’t have worked on the sectors we cover, so long as you want to put your skills to tackling climate change now.

We welcome applications from anyone who shares our passion for environmental and social justice through the transformation of the financial sector. Please feel free to apply even if you’re not sure you tick every box.

Essential

You will:

• Have experience of leading or being part of a research project.
• Have a good understanding of how climate change affects companies in a range of sectors and an awareness of how climate change creates risks for financial institutions.
• Have strong analytical skills, being able to quickly grasp new, complex subjects and pull out relevant insights.
• Be comfortable analysing, manipulating, and presenting quantitative information.
• Have excellent written and verbal English and be able to communicate complex topics to a variety of audiences.
• Be able to plan, manage and deliver your work to agreed objectives and timelines, balancing competing priorities and reprioritising when needed.
• Be a natural collaborator and team player with strong interpersonal skills.
• Have a good working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.

Desirable

• Any experience working as an analyst in financial services or industry experience in energy, heavy industry, the food sector, or real estate.
• An understanding of companies’ financial reporting (being able to read balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements).

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:

• A 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.
• The 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.
• A 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.
• A healthcare cash plan with Westfield that gives you money back on your healthcare costs.
• An 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.

Please note that this recruitment is for a role that will not start before April 2025, so if successful, you will not be offered an immediate start date.

ShareAction values and respects all differences in people (seen and unseen) and welcomes applications from all backgrounds, communities and industries. We are committed to having a team that is made up of diverse skills, experiences and abilities, and we are working hard to provide an environment where all can bring their authentic selves to work. We know that some people won’t apply for a role unless they meet all the requirements listed in the job description. If this is the case for you, but you think you would excel in this role, we want to hear from you!

For further information and to apply, please visit our website via the Apply button.

Closing date: 9.00 am on Monday 13th January 2025.
First-round interviews: Between Monday 20 and Wednesday 22 January 2025 (online).
Second-round interviews: Wednesday 29 and Thursday 30 January 2025 (in person at our offices in Whitechapel, London).

To be considered for this post, you must be legally eligible to work in the UK; unfortunately, we are unable to provide visa sponsorship.