The M&G plc Life Office (LIO) is responsible for the management of Prudential UK’s With-Profits, Annuity and Unit-Linked funds, with more than £150bn of funds under management. LIO works closely with the various asset management businesses within the M&G plc Group, and other external managers, to structure multi-asset portfolios aligned with the investment objectives of our clients.

Role

• Leading the development and implementation of ESG investment strategies and policies with regard to social issues and human rights for the Investment Office, on behalf of M&G’s life portfolios, covering annuity, with profits and unit-linked business

• Leading and supporting broader ESG investment research and analysis, and investment strategy formulation, for the Investment Office for the same portfolios

• Leading engagement and collaboration with internal stakeholders within the Asset Owner, internal Asset Manager and at Group level to ensure appropriate alignment with, and challenge of, ESG/Sustainable investment policies, practices and commitments

• Monitoring adherence of portfolios to the Asset Owner ESG Investment Policy alongside other key stakeholders, which includes monitoring, and working with, the Asset Owner’s appointed Asset Managers

• Accountable for delivery of wider company, strategic ESG project milestones, reporting requirements and priorities, primarily in relation to social issues

• Representing M&G on external working groups and events, and contributing T&IO views on various regulatory and disclosure initiatives and submissions

• Delivering wider company ESG project milestones, reporting requirements and priorities

• Supporting governance, risk management, attestation and administrative requirements

Key Responsibilities

• Formulating investment policies and strategies on social issues to promote meaningful change across the business, and ensuring these are governed and agreed appropriately

• Liaising with external stakeholders to inform and enhance the Asset Owner’s ESG policies and strategy and to help colleagues across M&G better understand the importance of social topics for their own work

• Managing stakeholders across the business to ensure ESG-related information flows effectively to promote awareness, coherence and consistency of approach where appropriate

• Advising other teams within M&G to integrate and implement ESG considerations and priorities

• Carrying out ESG investment analysis at macro, mandate and individual company level to inform the formulation of the Asset Owner’s ESG strategy and to track the level of adherence to the Asset Owner ESG policies, with a focus on social topics and human rights

• Contributing to ESG related reports, including by compiling ESG-related management information on asset owner portfolios, in order to improve and inform ESG reporting (e.g. UK Stewardship Code reporting), with a focus on social topics and human rights

• Supervising colleagues and supporting the professional development of more junior team members

• Championing ESG policies and investment strategies (especially social-related ones) with internal stakeholders such as boards, committees, non-investment teams

Requirements and Experience

This role is ideally suited to someone who can demonstrate:

CORE

• Expert knowledge of social topics, including business and human rights, and what is expected of financial institutions in relation to these

• Expert knowledge of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, ILO Labour Standards and other business and human rights instruments and initiatives, and a good grasp of how to apply these in an investment context

• Awareness of, and experience of working with, a variety of stakeholders on social issues (research providers, civil society organisations, industry associations, independent experts, consultants, etc.)

• Strong knowledge of broader ESG topics and investment considerations, along with applicable regulations and reporting requirements

• Comfort in working with and presenting to stakeholders across different functions and knowledge bases Ability to research potentially unfamiliar topics and translate findings into investment policies and positions in the context of an investment strategy

• A good grasp of all asset classes and their roles in multi-asset and annuity portfolios

• Good written and verbal communication skills

• Ability to prioritise and deliver work in a flexible manner

• Ability to build good relationships internally and externally

• Ability to work within a team environment

• Effective analytical skills

• Good planning and organisational skills

• Effective problem solving skills

QUALIFICATIONS

• IMC, CFA or ESG qualification desirable