At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead initiatives on social issues impacting responsible investment and provide strategic insights.
- Company: Join the PRI, a global leader in responsible investment and sustainability.
- Benefits: Hybrid work model, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace welcoming candidates from all backgrounds.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the investment world by addressing critical social issues.
- Qualifications: Expertise in social issues and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Employment Type - Full time (Please note, where PRI has an office there is an expectation to work a minimum of 2 days per week
- Location - Hybrid · London, UK
- Closing: 11:59pm, 9th Aug 2026 BST
- About the PRI
The PRI is the world’s leading proponent of responsible investment.
It works to understand the investment implications of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors and to support its international network of investor signatories in incorporating these factors into their investment and ownership decisions.
The PRI’s three distinct capabilities relate to the core elements of the PRI’s approach to achieving a sustainable financial system:
- Translate RI (Responsible Investment) thought leadership into insights and practical support that is tailored to what signatories need to progress their RI practice.
- Convene our vast network to create opportunities for collaborative action.
- Harness our global scale to influence policymakers and regulators to effect system change.
Job Description
This is a senior role in the Policy and Research team, serving the PRI’s global signatory base by leading the organisation’s work on social issues, including human rights and socio-economic developments of relevance to responsible investors.
The role is responsible for shaping PRI’s strategic direction across these issue areas, ensuring high-quality insights and practical support for signatories, and driving delivery through regional markets, guidance and tools, policy engagement and collaborative investor initiatives.
The successful candidate will bring significant international expertise in applying social issues in business and investment contexts, alongside the credibility to represent the PRI externally and influence thinking across the responsible investment ecosystem.
Success in the role will depend not only on deep expertise in social issues, but also on the ability to identify connections between social, economic, political and environmental developments, and generate insights relevant to the strategic challenges facing investors and the broader financial system.
The role reports directly to the Chief Policy and Research Officer, is part of a small group of senior issue experts working across the organisation.
Core Responsibilities
This role’s core responsibilities include providing leadership on social issues across the PRI, shaping strategic priorities and organisational delivery in these areas, and representing the PRI internally and externally with credibility and influence.
- Using your advanced experience on social issues with a business or investment context, foster subject matter understanding and build expertise across the PRI organisation and signatory base.
- Working with the Issues Expert Group - shape PRI's strategic understanding of how social dynamics interact with major global trends and investment themes, identifying where investor action, market practice and policy engagement can most effectively contribute to long-term outcomes.
This includes issues at the intersection of social issues and major global trends, such as inequality, social inclusion, rights-respecting business conduct, decent work, technological change and just transition considerations.
- Serve as a trusted adviser to PRI leadership, regional teams and issue experts, providing strategic insight on emerging social developments and their implications for investors, markets and PRI priorities.
- Be a spokesperson for the PRI, at events, with the press or in other senior-level contact and exchanges on social issues and human rights.
- Keep abreast of market-wide developments, building on existing career experience and maintaining a strong understanding of emerging expectations, practices and debates relating to social issues in investment and business.
- Maintain open exchange and dialogue with key stakeholders, including PRI signatories, UN partners, think tanks and research institutes, NGOs and initiatives that contribute to and are aligned with PRI’s strategic objectives.
- Work collaboratively across different teams within the PRI on investment practices, stewardship, policy, data and disclosure to build in-depth understanding and deliver quality resources to signatories on social issues.
- Provide coaching and mentoring to colleagues including sharing technical knowledge and expertise where appropriate.
- Support the Chief Policy and Research Officer in delivering against the team’s business plan and budget.
- Provide regular reporting to Directors and the Executive Team as required.
Person Specification
- Higher education in one or more fields of sociology, human geography, anthropology, labour economics, behavioural economics or related disciplines.
- Significant professional experience and subject matter expertise in assessing and responding to social and human rights issues in business, investment or responsible investment contexts, with the credibility to be recognised as a senior leader in the field.
- Strong strategic and systems-thinking capability, with the ability to shape priorities, identify inter-linkages across issues, including different economic sectors, and translate complex external developments into clear organisational direction and practical support for signatories.
- Excellent networking, relationship management and interpersonal skills, with experience of building trusted relationships with investors, companies, multilaterals, civil society organisations, think tanks and other stakeholders relevant to PRI’s strategic objectives.
- Horizon-scanning capability, with experience identifying emerging social trends and translating uncertainty into strategic priorities and practical decision-useful insights.
- Excellent programme management skills, including a track record of delivering complex work successfully, coordinating across teams and leading work involving colleagues who may not be direct reports.
- Well-developed collaboration and leadership skills, with experience of working across multidisciplinary teams and of coaching, mentoring and developing colleagues in an inclusive and supportive way.
- Excellent written communication, verbal presentation and spokesperson skills, with the ability to represent complex and sensitive issues clearly, credibly and persuasively to internal and external audiences.
- A collaborative and consultative approach, with sound judgement, openness to diverse perspectives, and a commitment to fostering an inclusive environment and continuous professional development.
- Strong operational discipline and digital fluency, including virtual collaboration tools, with the ability to support effective planning, reporting and delivery in a global role; international travel may be required, and additional language skills are desirable.
We particularly welcome candidates from under-represented groups, including Black, Asian, and other People of Colour, those with visible or non-visible disabilities, LGBTQ+ candidates and those who are neurodivergent.
N. B. We reserve the right to close a vacancy before the closing date in the event of an overwhelming response or a change in business priorities.
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Senior Lead, Social Issues employer: Principles for Responsible Investment
At the PRI, we pride ourselves on being a leading employer in the responsible investment sector, offering a dynamic hybrid work environment in the heart of London. Our collaborative culture fosters innovation and personal growth, providing employees with opportunities to engage in meaningful projects that drive sustainable financial practices. With a commitment to diversity and inclusion, we support our team members in their professional development while making a positive impact on the global investment landscape.
Contact Details:
Principles for Responsible Investment Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Lead, Social Issues
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Principles for Responsible Investment.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Principles for Responsible Investment!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Principles for Responsible Investment, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Principles for Responsible Investment or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Lead, Social Issues
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Principles for Responsible Investment:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Principles for Responsible Investment! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Principles for Responsible Investment
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
