At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead sustainable investment strategies in real estate across Europe and Asia.
- Company: Aberdeen, a leading Wealth & Investments group focused on sustainability.
- Benefits: 20 days annual leave, 16% pension contribution, private healthcare, and gym discounts.
- Other info: Blended working environment with a commitment to inclusivity and diversity.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on sustainable investments while working with a diverse team.
- Qualifications: Experience in ESG integration and strong understanding of climate change and regulations.
The predicted salary is between 90000 - 110000 £ per year.
At Aberdeen, our ambition is to be the UK’s leading Wealth & Investments group. Strengthening talent and culture is one of our strategic priorities. We strive to make Aberdeen a great place to work so that we can attract and retain the industry’s best talent. Our people put our stakeholders at the heart of everything they do by helping us to make a positive difference to the lives of our clients, customers, colleagues, shareholders, and society. We are focused on growing our direct and advised wealth platforms and repositioning our specialist asset management business to meet client demand. We are committed to providing excellent client service, supported by leading technology and talent.
The Real Estate team is a major investment area for Aberdeen, managing a diverse global platform and advising fund management, asset management and development teams. Sustainability is central to how the department assesses long-term value, regulatory change and environmental performance across properties. The Sustainable Investments team works across investment classes to embed practical, decision-useful sustainable investment approaches. Together, the teams help enable our clients to be better investors by connecting technical sustainability insight with commercial real estate strategy.
As Sustainable Investments Manager, Real Estate, you will lead the Europe and Asia sustainable investment agenda for our direct real estate business from London. This permanent role sits within Investment Management, Real Estate and reports to the Head of Sustainable Investments, Real Estate, while partnering closely with investment, fund, asset management and development teams. You will play a central role in embedding ESG, climate risk and net zero considerations into investment decision-making, portfolio strategy and asset-level delivery across a large and varied real estate portfolio. It is an opportunity to influence transactions, client engagement, data, reporting and industry dialogue while balancing sustainability ambition with investment performance. You will work in Aberdeen’s blended working environment, combining collaboration in the office with flexibility to work from home where it suits the role, team and business.
Key Responsibilities
- Support the evolution and implementation of the Sustainable Investment and ESG strategy for Real Estate, including net zero delivery at fund and asset level.
- Provide ESG advice across the investment lifecycle, including acquisitions, due diligence, risk assessment, Investment Committee input and measurable fund and asset strategies.
- Lead client and investor engagement on sustainable investment topics, including presentations, responses to requirements and representation with external stakeholders.
- Drive ESG reporting, governance and regulatory alignment across frameworks including SFDR, TCFD, TNFD, GRESB, INREV, EU Taxonomy, EPBD and MEES.
- Oversee ESG data systems and performance analysis so investment teams can access consistent, high-quality and decision-useful sustainability data.
- Contribute to thought leadership, innovation, internal training and industry engagement through forums such as GRESB, BBP, BPF and INREV.
About the Candidate
We are looking for someone with the technical expertise, commercial judgement and influencing skills to help shape sustainable real estate investment decisions across multiple markets. Experience integrating ESG or sustainable investment considerations into real estate investment, asset management or development. Ability to contribute to transactions, including ESG due diligence, flood risk, ground contamination, decarbonisation CAPEX modelling and Investment Committee communication. Strong understanding of climate change, decarbonisation, environmental performance, building systems and energy performance in real assets. Knowledge of GHG scope application to real estate assets, with familiarity of the GHG Protocol, PCAF and CRREM pathways or modelling. Understanding of ESG regulation and frameworks, including SFDR, TCFD, EU Taxonomy, EPBD, MEES and GRESB, plus experience of ESG reporting and sustainability data systems. Confident stakeholder management, presentation and client-facing skills, with a collaborative, analytical and delivery-focused approach across teams and geographies.
Desirable criteria include a relevant degree, for example in real estate, engineering, environmental science or finance, and experience in ESG or sustainable investment within real estate or a sustainability consultancy environment.
Our Benefits
- 20 days’ annual leave
- 16% employer pension contribution
- Discretionary performance-based bonus (where applicable)
- Private healthcare
- Gym discounts
- Season ticket loans
- Access to an employee discount portal
An inclusive way of working
Whatever way you like to work, if you have the talent and commitment to join our team, we’d like to hear from you. At Aberdeen we’ve adopted a ‘blended working’ approach. This approach combines the benefits of face-to-face collaboration, coaching and connecting in our offices with the flexibility of working from home. It enables colleagues to find a balance that works for their roles, their teams, our clients and our business. An inclusive culture, where diverse perspectives drive our actions, is at the core of who we are and what we do.
If you need assistance with your application, or a reasonable adjustment to your interview arrangements – for example, because you are neurodivergent, or have a physical, sensory, cognitive, mental, visible or invisible disability – please let us know and we’ll be happy to help. We’re committed to providing an inclusive workplace where all forms of difference are valued and which is free from any form of unfair or unlawful treatment.
Sustainable Investments Manager, Real Estate employer: abrdn
Aberdeen is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work environment that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. With generous benefits such as 40 days of annual leave, a substantial pension contribution, and a flexible working approach, employees are empowered to thrive both personally and professionally. The company fosters a culture of collaboration and diversity, ensuring that every voice is heard and valued, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment in the field of resilience.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Sustainable Investments Manager, Real Estate
✨Dive into Environmental Networks
Get involved with sustainability-focused organisations and attend their events. Look for local meetups or conferences in environmental management where you can connect with professionals in the field. This can lead to insider info on job openings at companies like abrdn that might not be advertised widely.
✨Show Your Passion with Projects
Consider undertaking personal or community projects that highlight your dedication to sustainability. Whether it's a local clean-up or a carbon footprint assessment, document your findings and results. This not only boosts your portfolio but also shows potential employers like abrdn that you're proactive and serious about the field.
✨Seek Out Green Job Boards
Don’t just rely on general job boards. Explore specific platforms that focus on sustainability and environmental management roles. Websites like EnvironmentJobs and Sustainable Business can be goldmines for full-time positions at companies like abrdn. Keep an eye out for their aggregation of listings!
✨Let Your Online Presence Shine
Make sure your social media and professional profiles reflect your passion for sustainability. Share articles, engage in discussions, and connect with leaders in the field. Your active presence can make a lasting impression on hiring managers at companies like abrdn when they search for candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace Sustainable Investments Manager, Real Estate
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Passion for Sustainability:In your cover letter, let your enthusiasm for sustainability shine through. Share any relevant experiences, like projects, volunteer work, or events you've participated in that align with abrdn's values. This position isn't just about meeting qualifications; it's about genuinely caring for the environment and showing us why you're the right fit for Sustainable Investments Manager, Real Estate.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications and Experience:Make sure to showcase any specific qualifications, such as degrees in environmental science or certifications in sustainability practices in your CV. We want to see how your academic background and practical experiences align with the job you're applying for, so don’t hold back on anything that demonstrates your expertise in environmental management.
Tailor Your CV to the Role:As we're looking for someone to jump into a full-time role, be specific about previous roles or projects that demonstrate your capabilities in sustainability. Use bullet points to make accomplishments clear, and don’t forget to quantify your achievements wherever possible – it’s all about showing us the impact of your work!
Research abrdn and Reflect It In Your Application:We love candidates who take the time to understand what we're about. Mention specific initiatives or projects that abrdn is known for in your cover letter. This shows us that you’ve done your homework and are genuinely excited about the chance to contribute to our mission in the role of Sustainable Investments Manager, Real Estate.
How to prepare for a job interview at abrdn
✨Brush Up on Environmental Legislation
Given that we're diving into sustainability and environmental management, it’s crucial to have a solid understanding of current environmental laws and regulations. Be prepared to discuss how these laws apply to real-world scenarios, as you might face some technical questions about compliance and best practices during your chat with abrdn.
✨Showcase Your Experience with Sustainability Projects
When you're discussing your background, highlight specific sustainability initiatives you've been involved in. Whether it’s a project at university or work experience, sharing measurable outcomes and your role will demonstrate your hands-on skills, which is super important for this full-time role at abrdn.
✨Familiarity with Tools and Software
Make sure you're familiar with any relevant tools or software commonly used in environmental management, like GIS for mapping or data analysis tools. Bring this up in your interview as it shows you’re not only passionate but also prepared to roll up your sleeves and get to work!
✨Connect Your Values with the Company's Mission
Full-time roles are all about team fit, so it’s important to align your personal values with those of abrdn. Be ready to discuss why you're passionate about sustainability and how you can contribute to their mission, as this will really resonate with the interviewers and show that you’re genuinely invested in their goals.
