Job Description At Columbia Threadneedle Investments, we are stewards of our client's capital and active engagement is an integral part of our approach. We are looking to add a research analyst to our Responsible Investment team focused on stewardship research, engagement, and proxy voting to help drive this effort forward. The successful candidate should have proven research, analytical and problem-solving capability relevant to fundamental investment analysis.
This role will report into the Head of Proxy and handle the coordination of the prioritization, escalation and tracking of stewardship (engagement / voting) activities with portfolio companies. This will be done in collaboration with the equity analysts, fixed income analysts and portfolio managers.
The focus of this role varies across all areas of stewardship, primarily:
Focus on environmental, social & governance, operational excellence, capital allocation policies, managerial incentives
Consultative research driven approach with management teams contributes to investment insights
Exercise use of proxy voting rights
We appreciate that work-life balance is an important factor when considering your next career. If you are not located close to a physical office, remote work is considered for qualified candidates.
Responsibilities Responsibilities: - Work with and support the Head of Proxy Voting in the formulation, development and delivery of the global proxy voting strategy and approach.
- Participate in the research, coordination, and application of the exercise of stewardship rights on behalf of clients
- Research and review third-party and internal investment and proxy research in context of determining proper proxy votes under the CTI Corporate Governance and Proxy Voting Principles.
- Interpret and apply the firm's custom proxy voting policy to a range of proxy proposals.
- Liaise and collaborate with fundamental analysts and portfolio managers around the world to execute proxy voting rights cast in clients' best long-term economic interests.
- Initiate and undertake proxy-related engagement with senior leaders at portfolio companies.
- Collaborate with the global fundamental research team, global portfolio managers across asset classes to educate and prioritize implementation of the effective use of voting rights exercised by the firm.
- Coordinate and maintain the firm's proxy principles and voting policy.
- o Work with colleagues to educate and prioritize implementation of the effective use of voting rights exercised by the firm.
Required Qualifications Key Capabilities, highly desirable skills and knowledge - 3+ years prior experience in the securities industry; investment experience as a research analyst or in an analyst support role.
- Familiarity with ESG concepts from the investor perspective
- Experience with proxy voting and issuer engagement, ESG or sustainability
- Possess a high degree of intellectual curiosity
- A focus on output and goal attainment
- Team player, able to work in a multi-disciplinary, global environment
- Able to commit to Columbia Threadneedle's corporate values.
Preferred Qualifications Desired Capabilities - Able to communicate investment ideas clearly and engage with corporate leaders on controversial issues
- Experience working with ISS Proxy Exchange, Excel, Word, Access, PowerPoint, Bloomberg and Aladdin.
- Familiarity with the relevant compliance and regulatory practice
- CFA, Accounting or legal qualification or equivalent
- ESG-related credentials from SASB, PRI or CFA Institute.
- Familiarity with R / Python would be an advantage
- The role may involve occasional global travel