EOS - Assistant Manager

Job title – EOS Engager Europe

Location – London

I'm now out of office until the 2nd September, as such there might be a slight delay before I'm able to get back to you.

Job Description

EOS at Federated Hermes is hiring engagers in its Europe engagement team. This is an opportunity to join a world leading stewardship services provider. EOS’s engagement on environmental, social, governance and strategic issues enable investors to be more active owners of their assets, supporting stronger financial performance and better outcomes for society.

About Federated Hermes

Federated Hermes, Inc. is a global leader in active, responsible investment management. We deliver investment solutions that help investors target a broad range of outcomes and provide management strategies to more than 11,000 institutions and intermediaries worldwide.

Our clients include corporations, government entities, insurance companies, foundations and endowments, banks, and broker/dealers. Federated Hermes has more than 2,000 employees in Pittsburgh, London, New York and offices worldwide.

About EOS

Founded in 2004, EOS at Federated Hermes Limited is a world leading stewardship provider, advising on US$1.8 trillion (as of March 31st, 2024) on behalf of international institutional investors. Our purpose is to support clients to be active and responsible owners, seeking alignment between their investee companies and the long-term fiduciary interests of their investors.

We believe the purpose of investment is to create wealth sustainably over the long term.

We focus our stewardship on the issues that we believe can provide the greatest potential to deliver long-term sustainable wealth, consistent with the fiduciary interests of our clients.

The EOS engagement team currently more than 30 engagers across London and Pittsburgh plus senior advisors in London and Tokyo. EOS proactively engages with over 500 companies a year and over 100 public policy and market best practice issues with regulators and standard setters.

Main Function of the role

The holder of this role is responsible for leading allocated parts of EOS’ Engagement Plan, comprising corporate, public policy and market best practice engagement to achieve substantial and demonstrable change on material corporate governance, long-term strategy, environmental and social issues.

While the role is within the Europe team, the EOS Europe, Asia & Emerging Markets and North America engagement teams all work collaboratively. There will also be extensive opportunities for collaboration with investment colleagues and the Federated Hermes Responsibility Office, which has a mandate to promote responsible investing through the firms’ funds and investment processes.

Key task and responsibilities

Engagement

• Lead a programme of company engagement, building relationships across the company including at board and ExCo level
• Collaborate with and support other engagers across the team to deliver wider team engagement goals
• Demonstrate impact of engagement via timely written summaries and in-depth case studies and via verbal presentations both internally and externally
• Respond to public policy consultations and engage with policy makers
• Develop market, sector and / or thematic elements of the EOS Engagement Plan including identifying market leading opportunities for impact
• Support integration of stewardship work into the Federated Hermes investment processes and wider products and services provided to clients.

Voting & ESG data products

• Provide clients with voting recommendations and supporting rationale on companies in the EOS engagement programme, in line with EOS voting policies and based on insights from engagement
• Develop and discuss with clients EOS voting positions on high profile voting recommendations, including on director elections, “say on climate”, “say on pay” and shareholder resolutions
• Develop and maintain EOS’s voting policy for allocated countries/issues

Advocacy

• Develop and maintain a positive external profile by representing EOS at relevant committees and working groups, including speaking at conferences and other public events.

Clients and business development

• Support the leadership and client team in the development of strong client relationships by attending client events and specific EOS prospecting and promotional activities.

Leadership, learning and development

Support with training and development of the EOS team, focussing on market, sectors and thematic areas of specialism.

• Support ongoing improvements to EOS’ engagement processes

Proactively seek continuous personal development through an appropriate mix of on-the-job learning, internal and external courses.

Experience required:

Applicants should be educated to degree level (or equivalent), in a relevant discipline, e.g. Business Studies, Finance, Accounting or Sustainability-related.

Postgraduate qualification in a relevant discipline (relevant Masters/PhD, ACCA, MBA, CFA, or other professional qualification e.g. qualified accountant or lawyer or similar) an advantage.

A demonstrable understanding of corporate affairs and, ideally, the investment industry.

Knowledge and passion for major environmental, social and/or governance issues. Demonstrated experience in key EOS themes (e.g. human rights, biodiversity, climate change) is an advantage

Minimum 3+ years’ experience in a complementary field(s) such as strategy, sustainability, governance, investor relations, finance, accountancy, internal audit, risk management, equity or debt research or legal advisory services. This may be in financial services, corporation, consultancy, government, academia, NGO or other.

Languages

Fluency (written and spoken) in English required. Ability to communicate proficiently (verbally and in writing) in other relevant European languages an advantage.

Candidate Profile:

Excellent influencing skills including demonstrable diplomacy and tenacity

Excellent relationship building skills, with all levels of seniority

Collaborative and a strong team player, but also ability to work alone

Strong written and oral communication skills

Self-motivated and able to use own initiative, in particular to identify opportunities for impact and drive forward own programme of work

Organised with strong time management skills

Strong analytical ability; highly numerate, strong attention to detail and ability to apply detailed policies

Computer literate (MS Office)

We're looking for the best, whoever they are

We believe in equal opportunities for all and aim to ensure that no current or prospective employee is treated less favourably on the basis of their gender, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity or expression, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, age, sexual orientation, or disability.

We welcome applications from all eligible candidates, and we particularly encourage applications from eligible candidates from a Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic background, as these groups are underrepresented throughout the financial services sector.

If you would like to request a reasonable adjustment to the application and/or interview process (in line with the Equality Act 2010), please speak to jessica.sheehan@hermes-investment.com