UN Principles for Responsible Investment seeks Managing Director

The UN-backed Principles for Responsible Investment (UN PRI) is seeking a managing director to take over the day-to-day running of the organisation and enable Executive Director James Gifford to focus on strategy, external communications and relations with signatories.

The new MD will report, alongside Gifford, directly to the PRI’s board. Key aspects of the role will be to oversee the “strategic and effective” development of the signatory base and review communications.

Another objective will be to “improve the signatory experience and satisfaction” to get high retention rates.

Earlier this month Responsible Investor reported that pressure from signatories is contributing to a major reform of the PRI’s own internal governance structure. The development comes as the PRI is launching a stricter reporting requirement for signatories.

“As it grows its signatory support activities, the PRI initiative requires a Managing Director to cover development and operational aspects such as overseeing day-to-day operations, including signatory recruitment and membership management, communications and events, support functions, risk management,” the PRI says in a new job advertisement.

The ad continues: “The MD will provide day-to-day organisational leadership and directly oversee keyorganisational development and operational reporting lines, allowing the Executive Director to focus on thought leadership, strategy, external communications, partnerships and relationships with signatories.”

The London-based role requires broad management experience at a membership organisation, NGO or corporate entity. Experience in asset management, finance or responsible investment is useful but not essential – although a “philosophical commitment” to environmental social and governance (ESG)/responsible investment is.

The job carries a salary competitive for the non-profit/industry association sector.

“Improve the signatory experience and satisfaction”

Since its launch in 2006, the PRI has grown to 40 staff with an annual income of more than £3m (€3.8m) generated from fees from its over 1,000 signatories.

“Your objective is to build a well-run organisation: to set and execute against clear milestones, improving performance across the organisation and enhancing the signatory experience,” the ad says.