Impact Manager

Our Impact Management team have been global pioneers in shaping the practice of impact management since 2002. Through its impact management function, Bridges not only developed best-in-class approaches for incorporating ESG risks and opportunities into its investment processes, but also created a market-leading methodology to guide the team towards selecting the most impactful opportunities that addressed the UK’s biggest societal and environmental challenges.

Bridges Impact Management team were responsible for the mainstreaming of this approach and facilitating greater harmonisation of standards across the ESG, impact and sustainability sectors, through the Impact Management Project (a time-bound, field-building effort which the team ran from 2016-21). Members of the team are expected to execute on best practice standards and frameworks, and to keep pushing the boundaries of transparent and effective impact management.

As a Senior Impact Manager you will assume a leading role in ensuring that our private equity investments create measurable positive impacts on society and the environment. You will work closely with our investment teams to shape impact strategies, monitor impact performance, and engage with portfolio companies to drive positive change. This role combines business acumen with a deep commitment to sustainability and social purpose.

Role Responsibilities

1. Impact Strategy Implementation:

> Implement Bridges’ overall impact strategy across the portfolio.

> Apply our impact scoring approach and conduct materiality assessments to identify key areas for improvement within the portfolio.

> Lead impact due diligence for new investment opportunities.

2. Measurement and Monitoring:

> Select meaningful impact metrics and ensure timely data collection from portfolio companies using our portfolio management platform.

> Regularly review impact data to ensure that investments are on track to meet their impact objectives.

3. Portfolio Engagement:

> Work closely with portfolio companies to strengthen delivery of their impact goals.

> Provide strategic guidance and support to portfolio companies to drive impact-led value creation.

4. Reporting and Communication:

> Prepare and deliver high-quality impact reports and presentations for internal and external stakeholders, including investors, partners, and regulatory authorities.

> Effectively communicate the positive impact of our investments to build trust and reputation.

5. Research and advocacy:

> Stay at the forefront of industry trends and best practices in impact investing.

> Champion impact investment and Bridges externally.

6. Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement:

> Work with other teams within the organization, such as the investment, value creation, and compliance teams, to ensure Bridges’ impact strategy is effectively implemented.

> Forge strong relationships with external stakeholders such as industry associations and other impact investors.

7. Team management:

> Manage a small team to achieve the above.

> Nurture their talent and exhibit behaviours for a happy and cohesive work environment.

Key attributes we are looking for

> A passion for impact management to drive social change: We believe in achieving positive outcomes for people and planet.

> Demonstration of research capabilities and a desire to continue to learn, with subsequent ability to embed and execute a range of ideas and methodologies.

> Ability to think differently: Bridges is a pioneer in the impact investing and impact management field. Remaining at the forefront requires logical and analytical rigour, a willingness to question every assumption, and an ability to be creative and solutions-driven.

> Ability to build trust and work effectively as a team: We can only achieve our audacious goals if we work collaboratively; and this can only be achieved through mutual trust. Everything we do must be fully transparent and open to scrutiny. This requires excellent interpersonal skills, and absolute integrity.

> Ability to be detail-focused and solutions-oriented: We are accountable to all of our stakeholders. This requires the proven ability to prioritise effectively, and be comfortable managing tight deadlines and take on board feedback in pursuit of a final outcome

> Ability to communicate effectively: This requires the ability to communicate fluently with a wide variety of stakeholders, internally and externally, and to incorporate feedback, through the use of excellent written and oral communication skills and a commitment to accuracy.

Ideal candidates will have:

> 7+ years’ experience working in impact investment, sustainability consulting, corporate sustainability, or similar.

> Excellent technical impact/sustainability expertise and project management skills

> Exceptional interpersonal skills: adept at working with multiple stakeholders at all levels.

> A good understanding of investment management

Compensation

The remuneration offered will be commensurate with experience.

> The health and wellbeing of our employees is really important to us. We will offer a range of benefits to you, including enhanced family friendly policies, employee healthcare benefits, employee protection benefits, an employee assistance programme, alongside other well-being initiatives to promote a healthier working environment.

> You will get 25 days’ annual leave, plus bank holidays, and a 5% contribution to the company pension scheme.

Terms and Conditions of Appointment

Timing – The appointment will ideally be made by November 2023.