Senior Specialist, Financial System Research & Insights

Principles for Responsible Investment; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) is seeking a Senior Specialist in Financial System Research & Insights to lead market-leading research and engagement from its London base. This hybrid role drives system change by delivering analyses, managing projects and engaging with PRI signatories and financial system participants.

The role reports to the Head of the team, participates in cross-functional work, and contributes to external communications.

Qualifications

• Experience in research, economics or policy making preferred.
• Strong project management and delivery of complex projects.
• Excellent written and spoken English; confident presentation skills.
• Experience engaging with signatories and external stakeholders.
• Knowledge of ESG and responsible investment.

Responsibilities

• Lead innovative research on investment practices and market structures.
• Manage projects and disseminate outputs; convene internal groups.
• Support Head and Research & Insights Director in budgeting and processes.
• Lead engagement with PRI signatories and external stakeholders.
• Prepare briefing notes, summaries, presentations and reports for internal use.
• Public speaking at events and external communications.
• Develop and lead content management for the team.
• Coach and mentor junior team members.
• Stay abreast of market developments and collaborate across teams.

Skills

Project management

Research skills

Communication

Stakeholder engagement

Public speaking

Team mentoring

English proficiency

Growth mindset

MS Office

Education

Economics or finance degree

Tools

Salesforce

CRM

Microsoft Office

Job description

Senior Specialist, Financial System Research & Insights

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, City of, UK

Closing: 11:59pm, 18th Oct 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 Responsible Investment (RI) thought leadership into insights and practical support that is tailored to what signatories need to progress their RI practice
• Convene our network to create opportunities for collaborative action
• Harness our global scale to influence policymakers and regulators to effect system change

Job Description

The Senior Specialist will join the PRI’s Financial System Research & Insights team which is based in London and will report to the Head of the team. It is a senior position within the team, and the successful candidate will be responsible for carrying out market-leading research and analysis, project management and delivery, and engaging with PRI signatories and financial system participants to drive change in the financial system.

The Financial System Research & Insights (FSR&I) team is part of the PRI’s Policy & Research department. Our team researches and analyses the way in which interlinkages between investment practices, financial system actors and market structures challenge or prevent the financial system from becoming more sustainable, and we work on projects that identify priority interventions and effective enablers to achieve system change. We work closely with other PRI teams offering insights and expertise to inform the development of PRI products, and we play a key role in supporting the PRI’s strategy to help it achieve its mission.

Core Responsibilities

• Lead innovative research and analysis on investment practices, financial system actors and market structures, identifying priority interventions and effective change levers to overcome barriers to financial system sustainability. This includes building on the team’s work on Addressing system-level risks and opportunities; and financial system analysis to support the PRI’s strategy.
• Lead projects and provide technical expertise to deliver against the team’s work plan and ensure all outputs are appropriately disseminated and recorded. This includes working with other teams from across the PRI, providing technical input to PRI products and setting up and/or convening internal groups on specific projects or topics, as required
• Support the team Head and the Research & Insights Director in delivering against the team’s business plan, budget, operational and compliance processes
• Lead the team’s engagement with key external stakeholders, including with PRI signatories and signatory committees, such as the System Stewardship Advisory Committee, and ensuring meeting briefings and notes are recorded on the PRI’s CRM system
• Prepare briefing notes, meeting summaries, presentations, reports and other materials for internal use – including by the Executive team and the PRI Board
• Participate in public speaking at events, both online and in person, and contribute to other external communications relevant to the team
• Develop and lead the team’s approach to content management, ensuring content is up-to-date and regularly reviewed
• Coach and mentor more junior members of the team, including sharing technical knowledge and expertise where appropriate
• Demonstrate commitment to the values and organisational ambitions of the PRI by staying abreast of organisational and market developments, integrating research and expertise across internal teams and staff interest groups, and through involvement in PRI team-building initiatives and events.

Person Specification

• A deep understanding of the PRI, investment practices and policy and regulatory issues relating to responsible investment is essential
• Previous experience at an asset owner, asset manager or investment sector service provider and/or experience as a researcher, economist or policy maker is highly desirable
• Strong project management experience with the ability to demonstrate the successful delivery of complex projects, including leading project teams that may not be direct reports
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to write clear, concise and engaging content in English and confident presentation skills with internal or external audiences
• Excellent networking, relationship management and interpersonal skills and experience of building strong and productive relationships
• A collaborative and consultative approach to working with others including a commitment to fostering an inclusive environment and developing others
• Demonstrates a growth mindset, actively pursuing continuous professional and personal development
• IT/Digital skills including Microsoft Office, CRM systems such as Salesforce and social media
• Education in economics, finance, public policy or sustainability more broadly is desirable but not essential
• Language skills, other than English, are desirable
• As this is a global role, international travel may occasionally be required

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.