Senior Associate, Impact Investing and Natural Climate Solutions

Trellis Group; United States; On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible environment

Learning and growth opportunities

Commitment to well-being and inclusion

Job summary

A leading investment management firm in the United States is seeking a Senior Associate to join their Impact Investing and Natural Climate Solutions team. The role involves managing forest carbon projects and requires strong project management skills, a Bachelor's degree in Forestry or a related field, and expertise in geospatial analysis. Candidates should have a minimum of four years of relevant experience and a proven track record of managing complex projects successfully.

Qualifications

• Minimum of four (4) years of applicable experience in forestry or forest carbon project development.
• Proven track record in project management, including financial oversight and stakeholder engagement.
• Deep familiarity with improved forest management (IFM) and ARR methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Own the end-to-end development of forest carbon projects.
• Develop and execute project delivery plans, identifying critical pathways.
• Lead cross-functional teams to deliver key milestones across project phases.

Skills

Project management

Geospatial analysis

Technical writing

Client orientation

Collaboration & Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Forestry, Natural Resources, Environmental Science

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

ArcGIS

QGIS

Job description

We are excited to present a challenging opportunity for an experienced, dynamic, and energetic Senior Associate to join our Impact Investing and Natural Climate Solutions (II & NCS) team and become a critical team member of Manulife Investment Management Timber and Agriculture (MIMTA).

Manulife Investment Management (MIM) is seeking candidates interested in managing projects related to an expansion of forest carbon projects in North America, South America and Asia Pacific. This position will be specifically focused on carbon project development, project management, and execution.

The Senior Associate is a vital member of the II & NCS team, initiating carbon project development and management in conjunction with MIMTA’s operations and other investment management teams. This role is a component of fiduciary asset management and requires a working knowledge of fiduciary obligations. This mid-level position reports to the Managing Director of II & NCS. The candidate selected for this position will be expected to work cross-functionally to realize opportunities that rely on a range of skills housed in various fields and internal groups.

Position Responsibilities:

1. Own the end-to-end development of forest carbon projects, from feasibility through credit issuance, ensuring alignment with carbon registry protocols and business objectives.
2. Develop and execute project delivery plans, identifying critical pathways, analysis and creative solutions. Provide strategic input to ensure projects meet business and environmental objectives.
3. Lead cross-functional teams to deliver key milestones across project planning, execution, and monitoring phases. Liaise with Manulife’s operations and investment management teams, including foresters, Resource Support, Planning & Analysis, Acquisitions & Dispositions, and Client Account Management.
4. Manage project budgets, accounting, and financial modeling, including discounted cash flow analysis and return expectations.
5. Lead project communications, ensuring clarity around workflows, timelines, and expectations. Represent the organization in client, community, and industry relations. Participate in senior leadership meetings, providing updates on project status, risks, and deliverables.
6. Conduct feasibility assessments, develop baseline scenarios, and perform spatial and data analyses to evaluate project viability.
7. Leverage advanced data analytics, geospatial tools, and AI-driven workflows to streamline project development, automate repetitive tasks, and enhance decision-making.
8. Serve as a key liaison with validation and verification bodies, foresters, planning and analysis teams, and internal stakeholders across Manulife.
9. Support carbon credit sales and marketing efforts, including client engagement and strategic positioning of project outcomes.
10. Contribute to policy and strategy development related to forest carbon and nature-based solutions. Conduct research on emerging forest carbon opportunities and share technical insights with internal teams and peer groups.
11. Ensure compliance with internal policies, fiduciary obligations, and environmental stewardship standards.
12. Contribute to strategy development for nature-based solutions and carbon market engagement.
13. Perform additional responsibilities as needed to support successful project and strategy execution.

Required Qualifications:

1. Bachelor’s degree in Forestry, Natural Resources, Environmental Science, or a related field. Master’s degree preferred.
2. Minimum of four (4) years of applicable experience in forestry or forest carbon project development.
3. Proven track record in project management, including financial oversight and stakeholder engagement.
4. Carbon Methodologies: Deep familiarity with improved forest management (IFM) and afforestation, reforestation, and revegetation (ARR) methodologies across major registries, with emphasis on American Carbon Registry (ACR IFM v2.1) and Verra (VM0047).
5. Geospatial Expertise: Demonstrated expertise in geospatial analysis using tools such as ArcGIS, QGIS, and remote sensing platforms. Ability to develop and interpret spatial models for carbon quantification and biomass logistics.
6. Technical Communication: Exceptional technical writing and documentation skills, with the ability to translate complex data into actionable insights for diverse audiences.
7. Project Management: Proven ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously in a deadline-driven environment, including financial modeling, stakeholder coordination, and reporting.
8. Collaboration & Leadership: Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with a collaborative mindset and experience leading cross-functional teams.
9. Organizational Skills: Robust document management and organizational capabilities, with a proactive approach to troubleshooting and continuous improvement.
10. Client Orientation: Demonstrated commitment to internal and external client service, with a focus on delivering high-quality outcomes aligned with business and environmental goals.
11. Safety & Stewardship: Commitment to personal safety, environmental stewardship, and compliance with organizational policies and procedures.

Preferred Experience:

1. Data & Coding Skills: Strong command of data analytics and modeling, MRV workflows, and scenario analysis. Proficiency in coding languages such as Python or R for spatial data processing preferred.
2. AI & Automation: Ability to leverage AI tools and digital solutions to automate workflows, enhance data interpretation, and improve project efficiency.

When you join our team:

1. We’ll empower you to learn and grow the career you want.
2. We’ll recognize and support you in a flexible environment where well-being and inclusion are more than just words.
3. As part of our global team, we’ll support you in shaping the future you want to see.