Assistant Governance Analyst

ROYAL LONDON
GRADUATE GOVERNANCE ANALYST
TERM: 6 MONTH CONTRACT
LOCATION: WILMSLOW, CHESHIRE
SALARY: £25,000 PA

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Assistant Governance Analyst on a six month contract. This is an excellent entry level opportunity for someone with some Corporate Governance knowledge seeking to gain experience working in responsible investment and asset management.

Founded in 1861, Royal London is the largest mutual life and pensions company in the UK with Group funds under management of £73.5 billion. Group businesses serve around 5.5 million customers and employ 3,160 people (figures quoted are as at 30 September 2013). We offer a range of pensions, protection and investment products which are distributed principally through intermediaries but will also launch a direct to consumer business during 2014.

Our vision is to become the UK's leading customer-owned financial services organisation. The specialist businesses that make up the Royal London Group are clearly positioned within their markets and our goal is to provide innovative solutions that match the needs of distribution partners and customers.

About the role:

You will assist the Corporate Governance Analyst and Corporate Governance Manager in executing our stewardship responsibilities. The main focus of the role is to conduct Proxy voting analysis during the 2015 annual meeting season, but you will also have an opportunity to contribute to company engagement and screening for our Sustainable funds.

Key responsibilities:

* Assist in Proxy voting analysis of our active UK holdings and execute votes according to our Proxy Voting Policy
* Administer Proxy votes using our online voting system
* Assist in research and engagement with companies on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues
* Help screen companies based on our ESG criteria for the Sustainable Funds
* Assist in the production of communications material, meeting notes, and other reports as needed

Qualifications and Experience

* Graduate level education
* Excellent research and analysis skills - to quickly learn, process and understand information quickly
* Highly organised with attention to detail and the ability to work under pressure to meet strict deadlines
* Strong communications skills
* Basic knowledge of corporate governance, Proxy voting and how financial markets operate

This role is suitable for professionals or recent graduates (economics, finance, law, politics or related disciplines) with some background knowledge of corporate governance, financial markets, responsible investment and stewardship. It is an ideal role for someone seeking to gain experience working in the asset management industry.