Description

Jesuits in Britain CIO | London-based hybrid role | Salary c. £80,000 depending on experience | Full or part-time (min. 0.6 FTE) and flexible working considered

About the Jesuits in Britain
The Jesuits in Britain are a Catholic religious order, known not only for our faith tradition but also for our contributions to education, intellectual life, and social justice. Drawing on a tradition that combines scholarship, service, and spiritual reflection, we run schools, universities, retreat centres, and charitable initiatives (including refugee support and action on climate change) that aim to promote learning, ethical leadership, and the common good. 

Much of the work of the Jesuits in Britain is made possible by our significant financial assets, built up over many years through the generosity of benefactors, and carefully stewarded over generations to allow our work to continue in perpetuity. These assets are invested in a variety of long-term investments, including global equities, real estate (agricultural, commercial and through investment funds) and cash. Most of these are managed by external investment managers (including CCLA, BNP Paribas, Comgest and Savills).

The role

We are seeking to appoint an Investment & Responsible Investment Officer to help steward the charity’s investment assets with a clear alignment to our mission and values. We see this role as an investment in supporting the charity’s long-term financial sustainability. This is an exciting opportunity to work with the largest Catholic investor in the UK, and to help support and lead others in this space.

Working closely with the Treasurer, Finance Director, investment committee and external investment managers, the successful candidate will have significant investment experience, and a commitment to responsible investing. Experience of charity, endowment, or faith-based investment environments would be particularly welcome.

Requirements

Key Responsibilities 

The role is anticipated to be twofold: one part focused on investment management and performance in general, and the other on responsible investment, shareholder activism and engagement with networks and other like-minded investors.

On general investment:

• Support the development, implementation, and monitoring of the charity’s investment strategy.
• Act as a key point of contact for external investment managers, and internal investment committee.
• Prepare clear, concise investment reporting for trustees, committees, and senior leadership, including performance, risk, income, asset allocation, fees, and responsible investment matters.
• Monitor investment performance against benchmarks and policy objectives, identifying issues and opportunities for discussion.
• Support the review and maintenance of investment policies, mandates, governance processes, and related documentation.
• Keep informed of relevant market developments, charity investment guidance, and responsible investment practice.

On responsible investment:

• Represent the Jesuits in networks that promote responsible investment, such as Mensuram Bonam UK, the Charities Responsible Investment Network (CRIN) and the Church Investors Group (CIG), benefitting from the research done by these and many other groups.
• Improve how our investment managers report on their ethical and responsible investment activities, including how they are managing the movement towards Net Zero.
• Engage with companies in which we have shareholdings, to further certain objectives, such as challenging fossil fuel financing by banks or labour rights abuses.
• Monitoring how our investment managers vote their shares at AGMs.
• Ensure our responsible investment policy is implemented and reviewed regularly.

About you

You will have significant investment experience, ideally from the client / asset owner side, and gained in an institutional or asset management environment. You will be comfortable analysing performance, engaging with external managers, preparing reports, and translating investment information for non-specialists.

• Strong understanding of investment principles, portfolio construction, risk, asset allocation, and manager oversight.
• Excellent analytical and communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with investment managers, advisers, and broader networks.
• Knowledge and sympathy for the mission of Catholic Church and of the Jesuits in Britain (being Catholic is not an occupational requirement for this role).
• Genuine interest in responsible / ethical investment, including shareholder activism and engagement, and how an investment portfolio can be put to use for the common good.

Terms and working arrangements

• Location: central London (occasional meetings in Paris, Antwerp and elsewhere) but very flexible / hybrid
• Hours: 0.6 – 1.0 FTE (35 hours per week) depending on preference, and flexible (although with a calendar of on-site meetings and field visits)
• Salary: c.£80,000 (pro rata)
• Contract: Permanent
• Reporting to: Finance Director

How to apply
To apply, please submit a CV and covering letter setting out your interest in the role and how your experience meets the requirements. Applications should be sent to Ann Ruby, Assistant to the Finance Director (aruby@jesuit.org.uk), by 9 October. Interviews will take place at our offices on 23 October.

Jesuits in Britain welcome applications from people of all backgrounds.