Job Description:
Job Title: Sustainability and ESG Associate
Division: Asset Management
Location: Sandton
Purpose of the Job
The Asset Management team manages investment properties on behalf of third parties, including strategic asset management of existing property portfolios, evaluating new investment opportunities, managing new investments, and collaborating with development managers on new projects to ensure the successful delivery of transactions from both an investment and ESG perspective. This position within the Asset Management department will help maintain the companys leading-edge position in the formulation, delivery, and communication of its sustainability strategy and results across the business.
The role involves close collaboration with the Investment and Fund Management, Student Accommodation, and other teams on ESG and investment sustainability matters, including addressing ESG issues for the company as a whole.
Key Responsibilities and KPIs:
ESG/Sustainability Policy
- Assess "best practices" and prepare, draft, and obtain approvals for ESG policies and frameworks within the company, Asset Management, Investment and Fund Management businesses, and associated funds.
- Develop ESG benchmarks and reporting in line with best practices.
- Manage the implementation of approved ESG policies, including data collection, benchmarking, evaluation, and assessments across the business.
- Regularly assess, evaluate, and recommend improvements to ESG policies within the business.
- Engage with internal and external partners to stay informed about industry best practices and regulatory changes, contributing to the development and communication of ESG policies.
- Ensure compliance with ESG practices and policies.
Analysis and Reporting
- Develop, prepare, and manage ESG reports for portfolios to comply with strategic policies, regulatory frameworks, and shareholder/investor requirements.
- Provide transparent, reliable, and measurable data on sustainable performance.
- Assist in developing processes for efficient collection of ESG data from various sources.
- Perform investment research, financial analysis, and modeling for new investments from an ESG perspective.
- Track actions taken by the company to minimize ESG risks and environmental impacts.
- Manage stakeholder communication, address concerns on ESG issues, and ensure ESG initiatives are executed on time and to standard.
General Asset Management Assistance
- Assist with other projects and investment feasibility studies within Asset Management as needed.
Essential Skills and Competencies:
Business
- Strong understanding of the property market as an investment class, including market rentals, trends, and capitalization rates, along with ESG and sustainable investment environments.
- Independent and proactive with a strong interest in real estate and sustainability.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment focused on high performance and growth goals.
- Ability to work under pressure with attention to detail and accuracy.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to manage urgent and conflicting priorities.
- Proven ability to collaborate with teams and generate solutions.
- Ability to analyze complex information and provide succinct summaries and recommendations.
- Strong organizational and planning skills.
Human Capital
- Positive attitude, highly motivated, and assertive communicator.
- Demonstrates strong moral values, empathy, passion, and positive living.
- Transparent, honest, and reliable.
Qualifications and Experience:
- Qualifications: BCom (Hons) or BSc Property Studies (Hons) or higher.
- Experience:
- Essential: At least 3 years of experience in real estate and ESG strategy, reporting, and analysis, typically gained in private equity, corporate finance, equities research, or asset management.
- Ideally, exposure to setting ESG policies and frameworks.
- Strong report-writing skills.