Manager, Corporate Governance

Manager, Corporate Governance

Organization

Ceres is a not-for-profit organization that partners with institutional investors, large companies, environmental organizations and other public interest groups, with the goal of mobilizing investor and business leadership to build a thriving, sustainable global economy.

Ceres plays a unique role in the sustainability movement by bringing the perspective and power of investors to environmental and social issues, and specifically to the performance, practices and policies of corporations. Through its Investor Network on Climate Risk, Ceres has been able to mobilize over 115 institutional investors representing more than $14 trillion in assets to better understand and properly value climate and water-related risks and opportunities.  Ceres works to foster corporate leadership on sustainability issues and mobilize private sector actors in support of public policies for long-term sustainability. Ceres works with over 65 major companies to integrate environmental and social issues into core business practices. Additionally, Ceres mobilizes a powerful network of leading companies (Business for Innovative Climate & Energy Policy) to advocate for national and state climate, energy and water policies.

For more information about Ceres, please visit our web site (www.ceres.org).

Description & Responsibilities

The Manager, Corporate Governance position will lead projects and support Ceres’ efforts to drive climate change and ESG integration into corporate governance systems, with a focus on the role of boards of directors.  Projects the position will lead or support include managing and supporting Ceres’ newly launched climate lobbying initiative, developing ESG curriculum for boards of directors, and leading/ supporting engagements with corporate boards and corporate counsel.  This is a full-time role, reporting to the Senior Program Director, Capital Market Systems (CMS) and will be based in our Boston office.

Specific duties include, but are not limited to the following:

• Manage Ceres’ partnerships with academic and governance groups in developing ESG training for the corporate director community. This will include serving as a project manager to ensure curriculum is developed, and then events are organized to provide this training.  Duties will involve working with CMS team members to coordinate with key partners and consultants on the project.
• Support Ceres’ newly launched two-year Responsible Policy Lobbying initiative. Duties will include working with CMS team members to drive key workstreams as a part of this initiative, coordinate with teams across Ceres, manage consultants and conduct research and produce written materials. 
• Partner with the Senior Program Director, CMS in driving engagements with corporate boards, corporate directors and governance teams within companies.  This will include writing proposals or producing other written materials for other Ceres staff or external partners.
• Coordinate with the Ceres Company Network, including providing support on the newly launched effort to engage Investor Relations staff within companies.
• Support the development of new projects on board ESG oversight, including developing the legal case for director fiduciary duty for climate change oversight, clarifying the role of the board in driving linkages between executive compensation and ESG factors,
• Develop media messaging and communications materials, including op-eds, press releases and blogs.

• Partner with the Senior Program Director in production of funding proposals with the Ceres Development team.

• Partner with the Senior Program Director in funder meetings and outreach to potential new funders, with the Ceres Development Team.
• Supervise and mentor interns to include hiring, onboarding, training and evaluation duties.
• Train and support other team members in managing vendors, staff travel, lodging, vendor exhibits, and supplies
• Assist with planning for the Ceres annual conference and program events, to further corporate governance programmatic work.
• Represent Ceres at conferences, seminars, press conferences and meetings as spokesperson for project or program work. 
• Travel as necessary.

Qualifications

• 5 years of experience where they have progressive responsibilities in their positions.
• 3 years of experience working on corporate sustainability issues in the corporate, investor or non-profit sectors.
• In depth knowledge of corporate sustainability issues, an understanding of the corporate context and the socially responsible investor community. Background in corporate governance is a plus.
• Demonstrated experience in relationship management, particularly engaging leaders in the corporate or investor community.

• Ability to make strong connections between governance issues and articulate the impacts and implications for corporate actions.
• Demonstrated strong project management, business planning skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team, in a fast-paced environment.
• Sound judgment, sensitivity to diverse constituencies, excellent interpersonal skills, strong initiative and motivation.
• Effective presentation style and excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Experience with communications and fundraising preferred.
• Prior experience supervising or training staff, a plus.
• Team player that likes working in a collaborative and fast paced environment.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects from concept to completion on own momentum and with limited guidance.
• Proficient with word-processing, spreadsheet, presentation, database, and e-mail software.
• Willingness to travel as needed to accomplish duties noted. 
• Desire to work in a not-for-profit, advocacy-focused organization.

How to Apply

We encourage all applicants to review our website to familiarize themselves with Ceres before applying: www.ceres.org. If you are interested in applying, please submit a cover letter, resume, two writing samples, and a list of three references, as well as complete the additional information as instructed.  

Ceres is an Equal Opportunity Employer and will not discriminate against any individual based on race, color, sex, national origin, age, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, military or veteran status, disability, or any factors prohibited by applicable law.