Senior Associate

Sodali & Co; New York (NY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Sodali & Co in the United States is seeking a Senior Associate to join our US Corporate Governance Consulting team. You will work closely with senior team members to deliver insights on governance and executive compensation matters and manage select client engagements.

This role requires deep knowledge of governance, pay benchmarking, and proxy statements, with strong project management and client engagement skills.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience with corporate governance and executive compensation landscape.
• Understanding of incentive plan design concepts, equity plans, and benchmarking.
• Experience reviewing proxy statements and CD&A; familiarity with proxy advisory reports.
• Familiarity with governance trends among asset managers and proxy firms.
• Experience with client engagements and project management during proxy season.

Responsibilities

• Monitor latest corporate governance and executive compensation developments, trends and shifts in views (investors, regulators, proxy advisors, activists and shareholder proponents, industry peers, etc.) and communicate relevant findings internally and externally to clients; assess, analyze, and prepare materials that summarize potential impact to clients/our services, and offer client-specific solutions
• Assist in developing investor outreach materials (during off-season and solicitation period) and in preparing high-quality engagement materials, including PowerPoint decks, talking points and potential investor questions
• Critically review client's proxy statements (past filings and drafts) with a deep dive on the CD&A; provide recommendations on enhancing disclosures for optimal presentation and to navigate potential challenges with investors and proxy advisors on Say on Pay, equity plans, and other compensation-related proposals
• Review and analyze proxy advisory firms' Say on Pay assessments and institutional voting history
• Support client response strategy to investor inquiries and shareholder proposals
• Contribute to the client experience by participating in calls/meetings as topical expert, project management and developing/collaborating on client deliverables
• Support team members across multiple functions; conduct ad-hoc client research requests

Skills

Corporate governance knowledge

Executive compensation knowledge

Quantitative analysis of executive pay

Interpersonal skills

Project/time management

Client engagement

Attention to detail

Tools

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

AI proficiency

Job description

Internal Title: Senior Associate, Corporate Governance

Sodali & Co is a recognized global capital markets stakeholder advisory firm, serving over 2,000 clients in more than 65 countries. The Firm advises a diverse and global client base including many of the world's largest companies. Formed by the mergers of several market-leading capital markets stakeholder engagement consultancies, Sodali is the largest global shareholder services firm in the world. The Firm operates out of three global headquarters in New York, London, and Sydney and is supported by 12 regional offices in major financial capitals around the world.

Sodali provides a full suite of shareholder, sustainability, and strategic communications advisory services that, together, enable the Firm to deliver clients differentiated insights, integrated expertise, and bespoke advice to address complex interconnected issues, identify and capitalize on strategic opportunities, and drive successful business outcomes.

Practice Group Summary

• Shareholder Advisory services include M&A Advisory, Activism Preparedness and Defense, Board Services, Corporate Governance Advisory, Proxy Solicitation, Capital Markets Intelligence, Global Debt and Bondholder Services, and Stakeholder Research.
• Sustainability services include ESG Assessment, Strategy & Implementation, and Communications Advisory.
• Strategic Communications services include Corporate Communications, Financial and Transaction Communications, Investor Relations, Public Affairs and Campaigns, Crisis and Special Situations, and Research.

The Opportunity

We currently are seeking a qualified candidate to join our US Corporate Governance Consulting team to work closely with senior members of the team to support the team's work in delivering clients with insights and updates on governance and executive compensation matters. The candidate will also be responsible for managing certain engagements with clients directly.

As part of its consulting engagements, the team provides guidance on the full range of corporate governance matters, anticipating potential challenges to minimize the risk of shareholder activism and alignment of clients' governance profiles with market expectations. Parallel to assessing potential risks from emerging trends, the team provides strategic, practical advice to help clients make informed decisions on corporate governance, board-related matters, executive compensation, and sustainability.

Key Responsibilities

• Monitor latest corporate governance and executive compensation developments, trends and shifts in views (investors, regulators, proxy advisors, activists and shareholder proponents, industry peers, etc.) and communicate relevant findings internally and externally to clients; assess, analyze, and prepare materials that summarize potential impact to clients/our services, and offer client-specific solutions
• Assist in developing investor outreach materials (during off-season and solicitation period) and in preparing high-quality engagement materials, including PowerPoint decks, talking points and potential investor questions
• Critically review client's proxy statements (past filings and drafts) with a deep dive on the CD&A; provide recommendations on enhancing disclosures for optimal presentation and to navigate potential challenges with investors and proxy advisors on Say on Pay, equity plans, and other compensation-related proposals
• Review and analyze proxy advisory firms' Say on Pay assessments and institutional voting history
• Support client response strategy to investor inquiries and shareholder proposals
• Contribute to the client experience by participating in calls/meetings as topical expert, project management and developing/collaborating on client deliverables
• Support team members across multiple functions; conduct ad-hoc client research requests

Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience with and knowledge of corporate governance and executive compensation landscape, including an understanding of incentive plan design concepts, equity plans, pay benchmarking, employment contracts, and other compensation topics
• Experience in reviewing or drafting proxy statements, including in-depth understanding of the CD&A, as well as proxy advisory firm reports
• Working knowledge of industry trends and perspectives of asset managers, asset owners and proxy advisory firms on governance, compensation, and sustainability issues
• Prior consulting experience, with a clear understanding of time demands of peak proxy season a plus
• Experience in conducting quantitative analysis of executive compensation a plus
• Well-developed interpersonal skills with the ability to foster internal and external relationships, and to collaborate and thrive in a team environment
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft 365, particularly Excel and PowerPoint; AI proficiency a plus
• Experience in direct engagement with clients
• Exceptional project/time management and organizational skills with ability to prioritize multiple high-quality projects and meet competing deadlines
• Strong sense of accountability and ownership, with high level of attention to detail and accuracy

Sodali & Co is proud to be an Equal Opportunities Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and respected. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation, gender identity, and pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, or veteran status. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodation to support candidates with disabilities or access needs throughout the recruitment process.