Job Title: Deputy Director of Corporate Governance & Sustainable Investment
Division: Fiscal
Location: Chicago or Springfield, Illinois
Salary: Commensurate with experience
Position Summary:
This is a deputy director-level position responsible for managing a number of the investment objectives, fiduciary duties, strategic initiatives, and operations under the Division of Corporate Governance & Sustainable Investment. This includes (1) management and execution of the Office’s corporate engagement, proxy voting, and investment stewardship activities; (2) assisting with management of the investment division’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion program, which is focused on increasing business with minority, women, veteran, and disabled-owned (MWVD) investment firms and financial service providers; (3) assisting in managing goals and activities to maximize business with investment firms based in Illinois; and (4) assisting with various investment operations duties, including communications, policy development, strategic planning, website management, committee operations, and performance measurement. Attendance is an essential function of this position.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Manages and executes the Office’s corporate engagement, proxy voting, and investment stewardship activities, which further the Office’s compliance with the Illinois Sustainable Investing Act (PA 101-473) and support the Office’s core investment objectives to maximize anticipated financial returns, minimize projected risk, and effectuate the Office’s fiduciary duty.
- Manages and executes the Office’s corporate engagement activities, which includes identifying sustainability risks and opportunities in the office’s investment portfolio, developing strategies to address said risks and opportunities, leading engagements with corporate decision-makers, building coalitions and coordinating activities with other institutional investors, advocating for the Illinois Treasurer’s position on corporate practices and shareholder initiatives.
- Researches, evaluates, and helps integrate sustainability factors, including environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors, as components of investment decision-making, due diligence, and risk management; reviewing policies, providing recommendations, and tracking outputs to ensure that the investment activities of the Office reflect our commitment to inclusion, sustainability, and sound corporate governance.
- Directs and conducts analysis of sustainability risks and opportunities at companies within the investment portfolio of the Illinois Treasurer, investigating financial, regulatory, reputational, legal, and operational risk exposures, discovering and drawing upon research and reports to identify risk exposures, and developing recommendations for corporate engagement and proxy voting.
- Assists in the management of the Office’s leadership and membership responsibilities in various investor coalitions and organizations that contribute to the Office’s investment objectives. This includes facilitating the Office’s leadership of the Midwest Investors Diversity Initiative, which is 16-member coalition of institutional investors focused on increasing racial, ethnic, and gender diversity on corporate boards of companies headquartered in Midwestern states. This also includes managing the Office’s participation in the Council of Institutional Investors, The Thirty Percent Coalition, Human Capital Management Coalition, Climate Action 100+, Investors for Opioid & Pharmaceutical Accountability, and Say-on-Pay Working Group, among others.
- Assists in management of the Office’s proxy voting activities, which entails development of the Office’s Proxy Voting Guidelines, implementation of the Office’s proxy voting policies, management and coordination with the Office’s Corporate Governance Consultant, management of reporting duties on the Office’s proxy voting activities, and advocacy activities to protect and expand the Office’s proxy voting rights.
- Assists in mentoring personnel and interns in the Division of Corporate Governance & Sustainable Investment, overseeing training activities, delegating tasks, and assigning projects that enhance the operational effectiveness of Office programs.
- Under the Office’s Equity, Diversity & Inclusion program, assists in the development of strategies, policies and processes to execute programmatic goals; manages outreach to MWVD firms; manages the certification and verification of MWVD firms; manages the annual assessment of the Office’s external service providers on issues of equity, diversity and inclusion; manages the tracking and reporting on utilization of MWVD firms, including to help ensure compliance with Section 30 of the State Treasurer Act; and managing the Office’s annual Diversity in Investments Forum.
- Assists in managing goals and activities to maximize business with investment firms based in Illinois, which includes providing assistance navigating application processes, tracking and reporting on utilization of Illinois-based investment firms, and identifying innovative new collaborative opportunities.
- Assists in managing content development for The Vault, the office’s online data portal. This includes conceptualizing and executing the master organization of the data portal, composing content for webpages, coordinating with outside vendors to ensure functionality and ongoing development, and working with various staff in the office to provide regular updates and maintenance.
- Develops and analyzes policy, programmatic and data components, including investment policies, performance metrics, internal/external reports, legal requirements, audit findings, and existing operating procedures, in order to propose recommendations, implement action plans, and enhance staff performance.
- Facilitates and participates in strategic planning to foster a unified vision among divisions under the Chief Investment Officer, expedite project completion, and generate tangible outcomes that advance the mission of the Illinois Treasurer.
- Develops and manages a comprehensive performance measurement system to measure outputs and demonstrate outcomes generated by all divisions under the Chief Investment Officer; performs analysis to identify recommendations for resource reallocation, program modification, and operational enhancements.
- Conceptualizes, researches, composes, and edits various written documents, including official memoranda, internal/external reports, Requests for Proposal, web content, and other documents regarding operational changes or initiatives.
- Conducts project management, monitoring, overseeing and facilitating the timely execution of key initiatives and operational enhancements.
- Assists in the management of the following internal committees: Investment Policy Committee, Financial Analysis Subcommittee, the Investment Review Subcommittee, and other committees as assigned.
- Corresponds and interacts with various entities including other state agencies as well as outside organizations.
- Any other duties as assigned by the Director of Corporate Governance & Sustainable Investment toward the execution of the Office’s mission.
Specific Skills:
- Excellent organizational, management, writing, editing, communication skills, analytic and problem-solving skills
- Ability to exercise good judgment and discretion while implementing and interpreting agency policies and procedures
- Strong attention to detail
- Ability to develop investment policies and business solutions
- Knowledge of public sector finance, investment stewardship and sustainable investment strategies
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
- Ability to maintain satisfactory working relationships and communicate effectively with all levels of staff and the general public
Education and Work Experience:
Bachelor’s Degree in finance/economics/public administration or any other related field; Master’s Degree in finance/economics/public administration/public policy preferred; four (4) or more years of experience in areas of project management, policy analysis, finance, communications, investment stewardship, and/or a related field; OR any equivalent combination of experience and training that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities to carry out the duties of the position. Public sector experience in the above-mentioned fields is desirable.
Application Process: Please visit
Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. Applicants must be lawfully authorized to work in the United States.
Applicants are considered for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital or veteran status, or the presence of a non-job related medical condition or disability.
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