Associate Director ESG – European Real Estate Equity

At Barings, we are as invested in our associates as we are in our clients. We recognize those who work diligently for us and reward them for personal and professional integrity, communication skills, distinct competencies and expertise in specific strategies, ability to collaborate as a team member and true dedication to the interests of our clients.

We thank you for your interest in joining the Barings team, and invite you to explore our current employment opportunities.

Job Title: Associate Director ESG – Barings European Real Estate Equity

Location: London, UK

An exceptional opportunity exists to join Barings Real Estate’s ESG team as an Associate Director, where you will play a pivotal role in the implementation of ESG policies and strategies across the European equity portfolio. The position also includes providing support to the in-house Barings corporate ESG team.

ESG at Barings

Barings has a well-developed, firm level ESG strategy with a full-time corporate sustainability team based in Charlotte, US and a dedicated real estate ESG team in London. The real estate ESG team has dedicated resources to improve ESG implementation across US, AU and European portfolios. Barings has established ambitious net zero carbon and climate resilience strategies, as well as programmes for social value enhancement, responsible procurement and data automation across key geographies including: Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and the UK.

Role Profile

Real Estate ESG & Corporate Sustainability Strategy

• Support Barings Real Estate’s ESG strategy evolution and implementation, ensuring alignment of AU / EU / US deliverables with the over-arching firm level Sustainability Policy;
• Assist Corporate Sustainability team with annual reporting such as Annual Sustainability Report, UNPRI, TCFD and UK Stewardship Code and Principle Adverse Impact;
• Represent real estate at ESG Investment Integration Working Group, supporting best practice exchange across the business and ensuring consistency in integration methodology;
• Coordinate and prepare relevant materials for Global Real Estate ESG Advisory Group;
• Support engagement with industry working groups (BBP, UKGBC, SBTi, UNPRI etc) and provide feedback on emerging trends and best practice;
• Support internal engagement at all levels, acting as an ambassador and champion for ESG;
• Coordinate the launch of ESG staff training across real estate platform.

Risk Management & Regulatory Compliance

• Maintaining policies, procedures and best practice as regulations and legislation evolves;
• Support annual review of internal benchmarking and methodology for ESG integration;
• Facilitate ESG risk rating scoring, sign off reporting providing inputs towards internal audits;
• Support business alignment with recognised industry standards including ISO 14001.

Investment Process & Asset Level Integration

• Ensure consistency of Due Diligence scope on acquisitions and oversee appointment of relevant consultants;
• Support transactions and asset management teams with defining ESG targets ahead of Investment Committee reporting;
• Confirm portfolio construction implications on Fund investment restrictions (SFDR);
• Offer insights into asset level ESG integration measures and facilitate asset management best practice exchange on key topics (e.g. ESG CapEx / OpEx, green building certifications, renewable energy procurement & green lease clauses etc) across geographies;
• Support underwriting and definition of sustainability and green-linked loans for asset leverage;
• Review and approve annual asset business plans in Anaplan including ESG targets and CRREM pathways, ensuring consistency across geographies and informing Fund strategies;
• Assisting Asset Management teams with implementation of ESG strategies at the asset level, providing guidance and direction where required on significant developments and refurbishments.

Fund Level Strategy and Investor Reporting

• Provide daily support to fund and portfolio managers on ESG integration and Fund targets;
• Support collation of quarterly Fund report ESG sections for all Funds, providing data dashboards and latest case studies detailing progress towards Fund ESG targets;
• Prepare quarterly investor presentations to update investors on ESG integration progress and coordinate talking points with Portfolio Management teams;
• Supporting asset and fund level data collection informing internal and external reporting.

Data Collection & Automation

• Support data verification and reporting activities including annual GRESB and SFDR reporting;
• Coordinate relevant work streams on data automation from tenant submetering to integration with wider Barings data architecture (Pereview, Anaplan, Alladin and ASPEN).

Product Development, Capital Raising & Marketing

• Support Product Team with structuring new products providing input into fund documentation, defining investment restriction methodology and qualifying criteria for SFDR; ensure all relevant monitoring and reporting processes are in place to support on-going compliance;
• Support RFP and CPM teams with providing timely feedback to investors, supporting due diligence, articulating corporate, investment and real estate level ESG credentials and responding to hoc client queries;
• Work with Barings PR / marketing teams to raise Barings’ profile by issuing press releases and participating in external events on behalf of Barings Real Estate.

Requirements / Qualifications

• A degree and / or subsequent qualification(s) in real estate and / or environmental management & sustainability will be an advantage, while a wider understanding and experience of sustainability risks and opportunities for the real estate sector is essential;
• Strong relationship management and influencing skills at all levels of the organisation, and externally;
• Good working knowledge of all global regulatory frameworks around ESG (PRI, SFDR, TCFD);
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills – essential in communicating with integrity on a range of sustainable property and wider ESG topics with stakeholders, investors and external partners;
• A resourceful nature, with skills and ability to research and develop good practice and solutions to meet challenges in ESG management and monitoring across the portfolio and asset types;
• Confidence to develop relationships, deliver projects within the portfolio, to gather data successfully and to hand-hold partners to implement recommendations for environmental and other ESG management initiatives;
• Strong analytical approach and experience of navigating large datasets;
• Desire to learn and broaden knowledge and understanding;
• Proactive, organised and pragmatic approach to setting and managing work programme;
• Experience working across cultures and geographies.

Qualifications and Experience

Barings is looking for a sustainability specialist with at least 4 years’ experience of ESG integration in the real estate industry. Familiarity with certification and reporting methodologies at asset (BREEAM, LEED) and fund level (GRESB) as well as relevant local planning and global regulations (SFDR) is preferable. Affiliation with the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) or equivalent is favourable.

Diversity and Inclusion:

We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of race, gender, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, or age. We believe that a diverse team brings a broader range of perspectives and ideas, which leads to better decision-making and outcomes.

About Us:

With global real estate AUM of $46.4 billion*, of which approximately $7.5 Billion* is located in Europe, Barings is one of the world’s largest diversified real estate investment managers, offering a broad spectrum of solutions across private real estate debt and equity. With a strong presence in the U.K., the team is dedicated to delivering exceptional results for our clients and investors across a diverse portfolio with significant value enhancing opportunities. We offer a collaborative and supportive work environment where you can grow and develop your career.

How to Apply:

If you are enthusiastic, keen to learn, and have the required skills and experience, we would love to hear from you. Please submit your CV and a cover letter outlining your suitability for the role.

* As at 31 December 2024

Barings is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer; Minority/Female/Age/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/Individual with Disability/Protected Veteran. We welcome all persons to apply.

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