Sustainability Analyst

Manulife Investment Management believes sustainability creates long term value for our clients. As our sustainability/ESG Analyst based in Hong Kong you will be closely embedded with our greater China fixed income and equities portfolio managers. You will be client oriented, and and support investment teams by identifying how sustainability-related risks and opportunities can affect companies' business models and long-term investment value, and will use stewardship to deepen those insights and encourage improved issuer practices and disclosure.

You'll join MIM's global sustainability team, report to the Managing Director responsible for sustainability in the APAC and EMEA regions, and have the opportunity to collaborate with sustainability colleagues in Asia, Europe and North America.

Position Responsibilities:

ESG research and investment integration:

• Conduct company, sector and thematic sustainability research across Greater China with a focus on topics that are financially material to MIM’s equity and fixed-income investors along thematics such as climate, nature, people and governance.
• Work with investment teams to support investment selection and assess alignment with applicable sustainable investment criteria, policies and regulations, and client-specific sustainability mandates.  
• Monitor controversies, regulatory developments and structural sustainability trends affecting Greater China investment markets, and develop forward looking assessments of companies sustainability strategies in this context.
• Analyse company-reported sustainability information, third-party datasets, financial statements, annual reports, regulatory filings and other primary sources, including Chinese-language materials.
• Distil complex research into concise, decision-useful conclusions for portfolio managers, client reporting, public reporting, and use in due diligence questionnaires and sales proposals.

Stewardship and issuer engagement:

• Identify opportunities for issuer engagement in Greater China and Korea on financially material sustainability and governance matters and develop company-specific engagement objectives and questions in partnership with investment teams.
• Participate in meetings with company management, investor relations, sustainability teams and, where appropriate, board representatives.
• Ensure insights gained are fed back into fundamental investment research, and maintain records of engagement objectives, discussions, company commitments and subsequent progress and outcomes.
• Support and participate in collaborative engagements and relevant investor initiatives where these are aligned with investment and stewardship objectives.

Required Qualifications:

• Professional fluency in English and Mandarin Chinese, including the ability to undertake research using Chinese-language corporate and regulatory materials. Cantonese an asset.
• Minimum 5 years of experience within an asset manager or institutional investment organization.
• CFA, CFA Institute sustainability/climate credentials, or another relevant investment or sustainability qualification an asset.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in ESG/sustainability research, stewardship, investment research, equity or credit analysis, or a related financial-markets role – preferably working in or with investment teams directly.
• Track record of participating and presenting in client meetings to showcase strategy-level and organization-level sustainability capabilities.
• Strong knowledge of companies and capital markets across Greater China and Korea.
• Ability to work credibly and collaboratively with stakeholders across front, middle and back-office functions.

When you join our team:

• We’ll empower you to learn and grow the career you want.
• We’ll recognize and support you in a flexible environment where well-being and inclusion are more than just words.
• As part of our global team, we’ll support you in shaping the future you want to see.

About Manulife and John Hancock

Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider, helping people make their decisions easier and lives better. To learn more about us, visit https://www.manulife.com/en/about/our-story.html.

Manulife is an Equal Opportunity Employer

At Manulife/John Hancock, we embrace our diversity. We strive to attract, develop and retain a workforce that is as diverse as the customers we serve and to foster an inclusive work environment that embraces the strength of cultures and individuals. We are committed to fair recruitment, retention, advancement and compensation, and we administer all of our practices and programs without discrimination on the basis of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, religion or religious beliefs, creed, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions), sexual orientation, genetic characteristics, veteran status, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, family status, disability, or any other ground protected by applicable law.

It is our priority to remove barriers to provide equal access to employment. A Human Resources representative will work with applicants who request a reasonable accommodation during the application process. All information shared during the accommodation request process will be stored and used in a manner that is consistent with applicable laws and Manulife/John Hancock policies. To request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact [email protected].

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