At a Glance
- Tasks: Support sustainability data collection, reporting, and responsible investment projects.
- Company: IK Partners, a leading European private equity firm focused on sustainable investments.
- Benefits: Gain hands-on experience in responsible investment and sustainability within a dynamic team.
- Other info: Full-time internship for 3 months starting September 2026, based in London.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in sustainability while developing your skills in a fast-paced environment.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills, research-minded, and interest in sustainability and finance.
The predicted salary is between 22500 - 27500 £ per year.
IK Partners ('IK') is a European private equity firm focused on investments in the Benelux, DACH, France, Nordics and the UK. Since 1989, IK has raised more than €20 billion of capital and invested in over 200 European companies. IK supports companies with strong underlying potential, partnering with management teams and investors to create robust, well-positioned businesses with excellent long-term prospects.
IK is looking for its new Responsible Investment Intern to support them during a full-time internship of 3 months from September 2026. The role will be full-time office-based.
The intern would support the Responsible Investment team on a range of activities, including:
- Sustainability data collection and reporting processes, including reviewing portfolio company submissions, checking consistency, flagging gaps or anomalies, and contributing to the annual Sustainability Report.
- Preparation of responsible investment materials for internal stakeholders, investors and lenders, including fundraising materials, investor requests, lender requirements, internal updates and meeting materials.
- Desktop research on sustainability regulation, market practice, sustainability frameworks, sector trends and peer approaches, and summarising implications for IK and portfolio companies.
- Preparation and organisation of sustainability events and training sessions, including portfolio company sessions and the 2027 Sustainability Forum.
- Ad hoc support across responsible investment projects, including presentations, meeting preparation, portfolio company follow-ups and other team priorities where additional capacity is needed.
- Enhancement of IK's external responsible investment communications, including updates to the responsible investment pages on IK's website.
- Development and implementation of IK's sustainability value creation framework, including sector benchmarking, value creation analysis and portfolio company engagement materials.
- Continuous improvement of internal responsible investment processes, including identifying opportunities to streamline workflows and automate selected processes using AI.
We are looking for someone who is:
- A clear and confident communicator, able to present technical topics in concise and engaging language.
- Proficient in PowerPoint, with a good sense of layout and visual storytelling, and able to turn draft materials into polished, professional outputs.
- Research-minded, able to conduct desktop research, summarise reports and extract insights to support strategic projects and portfolio company engagement.
- Comfortable working with both qualitative and quantitative information, including reviewing portfolio company inputs, summarising findings and identifying inconsistencies in data, evidence or narrative.
- Structured and organised, with the ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities and follow tasks through to completion.
- Detail-oriented, ensuring accuracy and consistency across presentations, data inputs and written work.
- Collaborative, willing to support a range of projects and contribute to a small, fast-paced team with a high standard of delivery.
- Interested in, or experienced in, responsible investment, sustainability and/or sustainable finance, with an eagerness to learn how these topics are applied in a private equity context.
Sustainability & Responsible Investment Intern employer: IK Partners
IK Partners is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of London, where interns can immerse themselves in the world of responsible investment and sustainability. With a strong focus on employee growth, IK provides valuable hands-on experience and mentorship opportunities, fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation. Interns will benefit from engaging with a diverse team of investment professionals and contributing to impactful projects that shape the future of sustainable finance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Sustainability & Responsible Investment Intern
✨Dive into Sustainability Events!
Check out local sustainability and environmental management events or workshops. They’re a great way to meet industry professionals, pick up insights, and even get the inside scoop on internship opportunities that might not be advertised yet!
✨Get Involved in Green Initiatives!
Volunteer for local environmental groups or sustainability initiatives. Not only will this bolster your CV, but it also gives you a chance to connect with like-minded folks who can help you find internships, including valuable leads for roles at companies like IK Partners!
✨Showcase Your Passion Online!
Create a blog or social media profile dedicated to sustainability topics. This not only showcases your passion but also displays your knowledge and commitment to potential employers. It can make you stand out to companies like IK Partners when they're looking for interns!
✨Use University Resources Wisely!
Don’t forget to tap into your university’s career services. They often have connections with companies offering internships in environmental management. Get in touch with them to discover potential opportunities that they might be linked with, including those at IK Partners!
We think you need these skills to ace Sustainability & Responsible Investment Intern
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Passion for Sustainability:When applying for the internship at IK Partners, it's essential to showcase your genuine interest in sustainability and environmental management. Use your cover letter to share any related projects or volunteer experiences, perhaps mentioning specific initiatives or organisations that inspired you. This will help us see your commitment to the cause!
Showcase Relevant Skills:Make sure your CV emphasises skills relevant to sustainability, like knowledge of environmental laws, data analysis, and project management. If you've taken any environmental science courses or certifications, include those too! We love to see how your academic background applies to our field.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:Don't just send off a generic CV and cover letter! Tailor your application specifically to the internship at IK Partners. Use keywords from the job description to ensure we're on the same page and can see how you fit into our team. This attention to detail can really make you stand out.
Be Open About Your Learning Goals:As this is an internship, we’re looking for candidates who are eager to learn. In your cover letter, share what you hope to gain from this experience at IK Partners. Highlight how this internship aligns with your career aspirations in sustainability. This will show us that you’re not just in it for the job, but for growth!
How to prepare for a job interview at IK Partners
✨Know Your Sustainability Jargon
Brush up on key terms and concepts in sustainability and environmental management—think carbon footprints, circular economy, and sustainability reporting. This could come in handy during the interview, particularly if you're asked to discuss recent trends or to explain how you would approach a specific environmental challenge.
✨Show Off Your Projects!
If you've done any relevant coursework, personal projects, or volunteer work focusing on sustainability, be ready to showcase them. Having specific examples to discuss not only shows your passion but also gives you a chance to illustrate your hands-on experience. Think about what you've learned and how it relates to the internship at IK Partners.
✨Understand the Role's Impact
Dive deep into how the role of a sustainability intern fits into the bigger picture at IK Partners. It’s a great idea to understand what projects you might be involved in and how your contributions could make a difference in their sustainability goals. Make it clear that you’re not just in it for the experience, but that you genuinely want to add value.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Your Motivation
As this is an internship, it's all about potential. Be prepared to articulate why you're interested in sustainability and what drives you to be part of the environmental management sector. They want to hear your enthusiasm and what you've done to build your knowledge, whether through academic courses, clubs, or other connections in the field.
