Job Posting: Investment Director – ESG Integration

Public Employees Retirement System

JC-403101
-
Investment Director – ESG Integration
INVESTMENT DIRECTOR, PUBLIC EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM

$20,062.50 - $33,437.50 per Month

Final Filing Date: Until Filled

Job Description and Duties

CalPERS is the nation’s largest public pension fund with investments in both domestic and international markets. The Investment Office (INVO) is responsible for investment and daily management of CalPERS assets. INVO invests in stocks, bonds, real estate, private equity, and private debt, utilizing a wide array of instruments and vehicles to maximize returns on a long-term basis at an acceptable level of risk.

The Sustainable Investment Program is looking for an Investment Director (ID) to serve as a program manager responsible leading the integration of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations into CalPERS investment decision-making process. The ID will hold a senior position and drive the development and implementation of comprehensive ESG strategies.

Duties include but are not limited to:

  • Responsible for establishing a best-in-class ESG program. 
  • Lead a team of 1-2 ESG staff members and collaborate with senior management to align our investment practices with responsible and sustainable principles. 
  • Point person for ESG related matters with stakeholders and have experience implementing labor standard best-practice. 
  • Lead efforts to improve portfolio resilience by assessing ESG factors, promote ESG within CalPERS and with our partners and stakeholders, and mitigate ESG risks.
Telework Information: This position is eligible for hybrid work schedule, with up to two days of remote work and three days or more onsite, per week.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-403101
Position #(s):
275-091-4638-001
Working Title:
Investment Director – ESG Integration
Classification:
INVESTMENT DIRECTOR, PUBLIC EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM
$20,062.50 - $33,437.50

This position is eligible for annual and long-term incentive awards. The annual incentive opportunity is 0-120% of salary and is based on the level of achievement against several quantitative and qualitative measures. The long-term incentive program provides an additional opportunity of 80% of base salary beginning after five years and when absolute total fund returns meet or exceed board-approved thresholds.
# of Positions:
1
Work Location:
Sacramento County
Telework:
Hybrid
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) is a global institutional investor and the nation’s largest public pension fund, with assets of approximately $456.61 billion as of November 13, 2023. Headquartered in downtown Sacramento, we are a destination employer with an international reputation for leadership and innovation. At CalPERS, we’re committed to people – the people we serve, our team members, and the larger community around us. CalPERS is situated near the Napa Valley, San Francisco, Lake Tahoe, and other desirable destinations, and we offer competitive benefit packages, compensation, and opportunities for advancement. Our people are deeply committed to our Mission & Vision and their decisions and actions are guided by our Investment Beliefs.

If you are interested in becoming part of a diverse and inclusive workforce where talent, experience, and expertise are valued, CalPERS invites you to apply for this employment opportunity. To find out more about our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts, visit our website!

To take a look at CalPERS as a destination employer, view this YouTube video.

Special Requirements

Recruitment Process

An executive search firm will be assisting in the recruitment process for this position. Your application package will be forwarded to their team for consideration.

Minimum Qualifications

All experience and education relating to the Minimum Qualifications (MQs) listed on the Classification Specification should be included in your application package to clearly demonstrate how you meet the MQs for this position. The Classification Specification is located on this Job Posting under "Minimum Requirements."

Please Note: You may need to pass an examination to establish list eligibility prior to any type of job offer. To find and take an exam, visit the CalHR’s CalCareers website.

Application Instructions

Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.

Final Filing Date: Until Filled

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply.

Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).

How To Apply

Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:

Address for Mailing Application Packages

You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:

Public Employees Retirement System
Attn: JC-403101/KC
Human Resources Division, Recruitment
P. O. Box 942718
Sacramento, CA 94229-2718

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

Public Employees Retirement System
HRSD, EIR JC-403101/KC
400 Q Street, Lincoln Plaza North
1st floor drop box by security desk
Sacramento, CA 95811
08:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

  • Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
  • Resume is optional. It may be included, but is not required.
Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:
  • 10+ years of experience in ESG integration experience in a financial institution or similar organization. Demonstrated experience and ability across each of the three elements of Environment, Social and Governance 
  • Track record of working with investment professionals to implement ESG processes and procedures by leveraging technical expertise and persuasion to accelerate ESG adoption and integration across the organization and with investment partners. 
  • Master’s degree in an ESG related technical field of study, including environmental sciences, environmental impact assessment, environmental engineering, or another related field. 
  • Deep knowledge of ESG frameworks, international guidelines, and sustainability reporting standards (e.g., GRI, SASB, TCFD). Network across the ESG industry and affiliations with ESG industry trade groups and associations 
  • Experience working with asset owners on fund investments in asset managers, co-investments in portfolio companies alongside asset managers and in direct company investments by asset owners. 
  • Experience and knowledge in implementing best-practice labor standards. 
  • Extensive experience in applying ESG standards to private market investment areas (i.e., Private Equity, Infrastructure and Real Estate), and preferably some experience in the public markets (i.e., public equities and fixed income) 
  • Strong analytical acumen, with the ability to translate complex ESG data into actionable insights for investment decision-making. 
  • Excellent communication, leadership, and influencing skills to effectively collaborate with senior management, clients, and stakeholders. 
  • Experience in striking balance between the interests and concerns of various stakeholders and finding solutions that advance the broader ESG agenda and move the industry towards best practice. 
  • Recognized as a thought leader in the industry. Experience in working with media outlets, managing stakeholder relations, representing an organization at large conferences and events, and experience working with senior management and the Board of Directors 
  • Experience in striking balance between the interests and concerns of various stakeholders and finding solutions that advance the broader ESG agenda and move the industry towards best practice. 
  • Experience in working on debt and equity investment products.

Benefits

CalPERS team members are eligible for a number of benefits. Health benefits and leave programs are available for most team members. Benefit eligibility may depend on length of service and collective bargaining agreements.

Some added benefits CalPERS offers include:
  • Alternate Work Schedules
  • Flexible Work Hours
  • Onsite childcare facility
  • Onsite fitness center
  • Onsite café and nearby restaurants
For more details about employee benefits, visit the California Department of Human Resources website.

Contact Information

The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Human Resources Contact:
CalPERS Careers
(916) 795-3065
Careers@calpers.ca.gov

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.

EEO Contact:
CalPERS EEO
(916) 795-3675
EEO@calpers.ca.gov
California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Additional Information

Live Scan
Candidates not currently employed at CalPERS are required to submit to a criminal history review process utilizing Live Scan fingerprinting.

CalPERS Disclosure Requirements
If employed, you may be subject to rules imposed by Personal Trading Regulations and Conflict of Interest Code that apply to CalPERS team members, which require disclosure of certain investment information and use of a designated trading platform for securities transactions, as well as filing a Statement of Economic Interest (Form 700)

Background Investigation
In addition to Live Scan, this position requires additional background screening prior to employment.

Surety Bond
Must be able to qualify for a Surety Bond.

Please do not include any confidential information on any documents in your application package. Confidential information that should be excluded or removed from these documents include, but is not limited to, your social security number, date of birth, marital status, personal photos, a copy of your driver’s license, equal employment opportunity data, examination scores, and LEAP status.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.