Global ESG / Sustainability Analyst

Company: William Blair
Location: Chicago
Posted on: May 12, 2025

Job Description:

Solutions for Today's Challenges. Vision for Tomorrow's Opportunities.
Join William Blair, the Premier Global Partnership.
William Blair has delivered trusted advice for nine decades, and we continue to deepen our expertise and relationships across regions, asset classes, and markets throughout North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia.
We are committed to our people and culture, values, clients, and local communities.
What sets us apart is that we are an independent partnership, with employees who have unique experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds. We provide advisory services, strategies, and solutions to meet clients' evolving needs amid dynamic market conditions and varying industries.
We strive to attract the most qualified, passionate candidates who specialize in investment banking, investment management, private wealth management, and a variety of other business functions.
We work tirelessly to create an inclusive culture and take pride in fostering employees' professional and personal growth. We empower our people to bring their best thinking each day so we can deliver the tailored, thoughtful work and problem-solving abilities that our clients expect.
Equally, we are proud of our long-term partnerships with the communities in which we live and work, a legacy we inherited from our founder.
We invite you to learn about how we are seeking excellence in everything we do and empowering our clients' success with passion, creativity, and rigor. For more information, visit williamblair.com.
Job Description
Work directly with fundamental research analysts and portfolio managers to assist in the application of the team's ESG ratings and materiality frameworks, supporting insights into company quality, growth and competitive advantage. Support fundamental analysts in the initial ESG ratings assessment and ongoing due diligence. Monitor that ESG ratings are completed for owned stocks and re-viewed on a timely basis. Help to drive consistency in ESG analysis across the team. In collaboration with fundamental analysts, identify and prioritize company ESG engagement opportunities; assist with preparing analysts and portfolio managers for engagement meetings through research summaries, agenda setting and formulation of engagement questions. Monitor documentation of ESG engagements and assist when needed. Stay abreast of ESG industry developments and communicate these to the analysts and portfolio managers.
Responsibilities include but may not be limited to:

• Work directly with fundamental research analysts to assist in the application of the team's ESG ratings and materiality frameworks, supporting insights into company quality, growth and competitive advantage
  
• Support fundamental analysts in the initial ESG ratings assessment and ongoing due diligence
  
• In collaboration with fundamental analysts, identify and prioritize company ESG engagement opportunities; prepare analysts and portfolio managers for engagement meetings through research summaries, agenda setting and formulation of engagement questions
  
• Participate in engagement meetings, help monitor company progress on key initiatives and document outcomes on William Blair's internal research platform
  
• Conduct thematic ESG research to better inform the team's assessment of risks and opportunities by industry, country and company
  
• Contribute to the development of new ESG frameworks and tools to enhance investment insights and process efficiency
  
• Provide input to fundamental analysts and portfolio managers on key proxy voting issues in collaboration with the stewardship associate
  
• In collaboration with the ESG data specialist, support efforts to better interpret and utilize ESG data in the investment process
  
• Remain current on ESG-related industry trends and communicate relevant topical updates to the team; contribute to broader ESG-related learning and development initiatives.
  
• Contribute to ESG-focused reporting efforts including integration and engagement activity summaries for clients and signatory commitments (e.g. PRI, UK Stewardship Code, etc.)
  
  Qualifications:
  
  
• Bachelor's degree required: ESG-related investment certification(s) a plus (e.g. SASB FSA credential, CFA Certificate in ESG Investing, PRI Academy, etc.)
  
• Extensive investment industry experience including fundamental company and industry financial analysis, experience integrating ESG factors in company research at a buy-side or sell-side firm
  
• Experience with IFRS and ISSB reporting standards
  
• Strong working knowledge of accounting and finance.
  
• Background in fundamental equity research is preferred.
  
• Experience engaging with company management teams on material ESG issues is preferred.
  
• Working knowledge of ESG reporting, disclosure standards and frameworks (TCFD, IFRS/SASB, etc.) is preferred
  
• Experience working with third-party ESG data is preferred
  
• Experience with proxy voting analysis and engaging with companies on proxy matters is preferred
  
• Excellent problem solving and analytical skills.
  
• Detail oriented and able to prioritize tasks.
  
• Able to exercise independent thought and judgment and adapt to new tasks with little notice.
  
• Responds to requests in a timely manner.
  
• Delivers clear, effective communication and commits to understanding others.
  
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
  
  We are open to this role being based in London or Chicago.
  #LI-BC1
  William Blair is an equal opportunity employer. It complies with all laws and regulations that prohibit discrimination in employment practice because of race, color, religion, creed, ancestry, marital status, gender, age, national origin, sexual orientation, unfavorable discharge from the military service or on the basis of a physical or mental disability that is unrelated to the employee's ability to perform the duties of the job applied for. EOE m/f/d/v
  Be aware of hiring scams: William Blair has clear processes and guidelines with regards to recruiting. We do not request personal financial information in connection with an employment application nor does William Blair extend any employment offers without first conducting an interview through one of its registered offices. William Blair does not use instant messaging services such as WhatsApp, Telegram, or iMessage as part of the recruiting or interviewing process.
  Note to External Recruiters / Search Firms: William Blair does not accept unsolicited resumes and will not pay for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited resume. Any unsolicited resumes received will not be considered as a valid submission.
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Keywords: William Blair, Hoffman Estates , Global ESG / Sustainability Analyst, Accounting, Auditing , Chicago, Illinois