Sustainability Associate - EMEA Sustainability Operations
Location: London, UK.
CBRE Investment Management strives to realize potential in investments and people in innovative ways, every day. We do so by creating the sustainable investment solutions of tomorrow, so our clients, people and communities thrive. One of the world's leading real assets managers, our team is responsible for more than $148.3B of assets under management.
The Global Sustainability Team aims to bring positive change in the three pillars that underpin our Sustainability Vision - Climate, People, and Influence. CBRE Investment Management has committed to be net-zero by 2050 or sooner by joining the Net Zero Asset Managers Initiative (NZAMI). We commit to champion diversity, equity and inclusion and the well-being of our people and other stakeholders.
As a Sustainability Associate, focused on EMEA Sustainability Operations, you'll contribute to our goal of becoming a leading sustainable investment manager. Your primary responsibilities will include:
1. Sustainability Risk Management: Implementing and monitoring sustainability policies and procedures for EMEA investments, focusing on EU and UK regulations.
2. Sustainability Process Integration: Supporting various business segments to integrate sustainability guidance and policy into our business management systems.
3. Sustainability Assurance Readiness: Preparing the EMEA business to be assurance ready across sustainability topics and evolving market drivers.
You'll report to the EMEA Head of Sustainability and collaborate with key stakeholders such as the EMEA Head of Operations, EMEA Business Development Director, CBRE Group ESG Programme Manager, and EMEA Corporate Operations Manager.
Responsibilities:
As the sustainability space continues to evolve with new regulation, topics, and services, CBRE Investment Management is looking for a Sustainability Associate to support our business operations. The role will be responsible for:
Sustainability Risk Management
Provide EMEA updates to the sustainability risk register, monitoring key internal (operational effectiveness, resources, budget) and external risks (regulatory requirements, client needs, expertise availability) related to our Sustainability Vision.
1. Delivering quarterly updates to the EMEA Head of Sustainability based on inputs from Sustainability Leads and Operations Team.
2. Drafting quarterly risk reports for EMEA exposed Risk Management Committees.
3. Facilitating reviews of key risks and metrics between the EMEA Head of Sustainability and Operations Team, covering risk management plans and new risks, along with recommendations and regulatory impacts on sustainability KPIs.
4. Maintaining the EMEA Risk Control Framework with the Risk Team and collecting and filing evidence for risk controls owned by the Sustainability Team.
Sustainability Process Integration:
Integrate CBRE IM global frameworks to align with EMEA policy objectives and regulatory requirements.
1. Modifying global procedures for the EMEA context, implementing third-party tools in risk management and investment processes, and integrating regulatory changes to internal controls and processes.
2. Collaborating with EMEA stakeholders to implement procedures, producing supporting documents and training materials.
3. Coordinating with the EMEA Reporting Committee on timelines and responsibilities for sustainability reporting.
4. EMEA liaison for the CBRE IM Corporate Sustainability Operations Committee and the CBRE Group ESG Reporting Programme.
5. Liaising with the Sustainability Lead for Indirect Real Estate and Private Infrastructure to ensure best practice in annual sustainability reporting, including regular review of inputs from 3rd party sources.
6. Coordinating the annual reporting in EMEA, meeting SFDR and internal requirements.
Sustainability Assurance Readiness:
Ensure the effectiveness and accuracy of procedures and documentation for audit purposes.
1. Maintaining a register of EMEA regulatory requirements for portfolios and AIFMs.
2. Ensuring EMEA-specific language in policies and procedures for compliance with regulatory reporting requirements (SFDR, EUT, PS21/24, etc).
3. Monitoring the effectiveness of EMEA procedures and training materials, reporting periodically with improvement recommendations.
4. Informing risk owners of upcoming EMEA risk controls and documentation needs.
5. Coordinating the Sustainability Team's involvement in EMEA audits (e.g., ISAE).
6. Updating the preferred supplier list and preparing relevant templates.
7. Supporting the Sustainability Lead for Indirect Real Estate and Private Infrastructure in evaluating data collection and reporting processes, considering third-party platforms, and aligning their policies and strategies.
Who are we looking for?
The successful candidate is a highly organized problem-solver who can easily grasp complex concepts and apply them to practical solutions. They possess excellent communication and presentation skills and are genuinely curious about the intersection of sustainability, risk management, and project management.
While your background may be specialized in one of these areas, you are eager to leverage your technical sustainability knowledge to drive practical change across CBRE Investment Management's EMEA business. You balance a sense of urgency with a commercial mindset to ensure your solutions are both effective and aligned with business priorities.
Experience
The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
1. The equivalent of a Masters-level academic degree and 5+ years of relevant experience within Sustainability, Risk Management, or Project Management.
2. Knowledge of sustainability frameworks in a real asset setting, on corporate and portfolio level such as GRESB, TCFD, EU Taxonomy, SFDR, CSDDD, CSRD, UK SDR, UK FCA PS21/24, UK SECR, ESOS, UK FCA PS23/16.
3. Efficient organizational skills with an ability to prioritize tasks and see projects through from start to finish.
4. Strong observational and problem-solving skills demonstrated through proposing solutions that are sensitive to multiple stakeholders' needs.
5. Ability to apply principles related to other fields of expertise in a sustainability setting without the existence of specific examples.
6. Positive, proactive work ethic and approach.
7. Ability to communicate sensitively and effectively (oral and written) with peers, management, and contractors, demonstrating cross-cultural skills.
8. Show tact, discretion, confidentiality, and sound judgment in handling sensitive and confidential matters and documentation.
9. Experience in an international working environment, ideally in a corporate, asset management, or consultancy environment.
What we offer:
1. An attractive and performance-related compensation, in line with your background, skills, and personal value for the organization and a (discretionary) bonus;
2. An open, cooperative, and dynamic company culture;
3. Challenging work in an expanding and global real estate company;
4. Become an integral part of our team, in which your ideas are greatly valued;
5. Many learning & development opportunities and motivated and highly professional colleagues;
6. Modern workplace in the heart of London;
7. (Cash) car allowance;
8. Pension scheme & Life Assurance;
9. Private medical insurance;
10. Two community leave days (leave days that can be used for a 'diversity day' or a 'day to volunteer' or two days to volunteer);
11. 25 days of annual leave + 2 extra days for Christmas.
This role will be taken offline on December 6th at 2 pm CET. Invitations for interviews will be sent out Monday December 9th.
We are an inclusive employer and consider diversity to be critical to innovation. People are our greatest resource, and we encourage applicants who partially fit the above criteria to apply if they feel the posting has not captured their relevant strengths. #CBREIM
#J-18808-Ljbffr