Junior Product Specialist, Responsible Investments - 12 Month Fixed Term Contract based in Frankfurt

About Columbia Threadneedle Investments

Working at Columbia Threadneedle Investments you'll find growth and career opportunities across all of our businesses.

We're intentionally built to help you succeed. Our reach is expansive with a global team of 2,300 people working together. Our capability is diverse with more than 550 investment professionals sharing global perspectives across all major asset classes and markets. Our clients have access to a broad array of investment strategies, and we have the capability to create bespoke solutions matched to clients' specific requirements. Our unwavering focus on our clients and strong financial foundation connects each of our enterprise businesses — Ameriprise Financial, Columbia Threadneedle Investments and RiverSource Insurance and Annuities.

Job Description

We are looking for a bright RI product specialist to join our team on a fixed-term basis with the position based in Germany. The individual will support client interactions across our client base, with a particular focus on German-speaking clients, and will play a key role in driving the growth and evolution of our responsible engagement overlay (reo®)* service. They will also update and evolve client materials such as presentations and RFPs, with a particular focus on our responsible and sustainable fund ranges with €60bln in assets under management.

We would like to recruit someone who has a passion for sustainability, is client-focused, commercially minded, analytical, eager to learn, and articulate with good attention to detail, and who is able to work both independently and collaboratively within a high-performing team.

*Drawing on a 25+ year track record of corporate engagement and with €780bln in assets under engagement, reo® is the stewardship service offered by Columbia Threadneedle Investments, providing investors with access to targeted company engagement and proactive proxy voting across a comprehensive range of sustainability themes. It provides transparent and diligent reporting to help clients meet their regulatory requirements and gain access to comprehensive active ownership expertise across the global market cap spectrum.

How you’ll spend your time…

• Support (and lead where appropriate) client interaction and the growth and evolution of the responsible business this will include both our reo service as well as our ESG/RI strategies. Ensure our clients and prospects are serviced at the highest level, and that we successfully build on our competitive advantages.
• Review RFPs, support and create pitches and presentations.
• Create and support in preparing materials to promote reo/Responsible Investment at Columbia Threadneedle with clients and within the wider sustainability marketplace.
• Help improve the client experience, for example advancing portfolio analytics reports and the client portal.
• Support with client consultations, client webinars, client meetings, etc.
• Work in close collaboration with the broader Responsible Investment team and the Sustainable Research team as relevant.

To be successful in this role you will have…

• Strong analytical skills.
• Business acumen, desire to grow and evolve business
• Strong attention to detail
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in business German and English
• Proven experience in client-facing roles
• Understanding of ESG data and producing client reports
• A passion for sustainability and a genuine commitment to helping clients understand the materiality of ESG factors, and the relevance of these considerations to investment decision-making
• An ability to work autonomously and take ownership, but also able to work effectively as part of a broader global team with a strong sense of collaboration to achieve shared goals
• Understanding of institutional investment management
• Willingness to travel to see clients and prospects
• Prior relevant experience in sustainability and/or financial services

 
It would be great if you also had...

• Experience with financial fee models and business reporting
• Experience with Salesforce

In-Office Collaboration

We are a client-centric, relationship-based business. Working together, in-person, is foundational to how we achieve results. By fostering a culture of face-to-face collaboration, idea sharing, productivity and personal connection, we deliver for our stakeholders — clients, advisors, employees and shareholders. Our employees work in the office at least four (4) days per week, with flexibility to work from home one (1) day per week. Some roles may require additional in-office time or different in-office expectations, and specific requirements will be discussed during the hiring process.

Full timeFixed Term (Fixed Term)Unclassifieds

Columbia Threadneedle is a people business, and we recognise that our success is due to our talented people, who bring diversity of thought, complementary skills and capabilities. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and performance-based culture where everyone can belong, grow, contribute and realise their potential.

We appreciate that work-life balance is an important factor for many when considering their next move so please discuss any flexible working requirements directly with your recruiter.

Columbia Threadneedle Investments is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to racial or ethnic background, religion or belief, sex or gender, nationality, genetic information, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, marital status, pregnancy or maternity or any other basis prohibited by law.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible recruitment process for individuals with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to aid your participation in the application or interview process, speak to your recruiter to discuss how we can support you.