You are a talented writer who understands the capital markets, the actors within them, and current practices. You want to put your talents to use creating new and innovative education programs that help professionals understand the financial impacts of sustainability and the value of SASB standards. You like that your work helps accelerate SASB’s transition from a grant based business model to one based on earned income. You could work for any company, but you want your job to influence how sustainability becomes embedded in the capital markets and you want to shape some of your company’s key sources of earned income.
You set and achieve stretch goals while pursuing on-going learning and personal development. You embrace uncertainty as new ideas and new products are explored and tested before being fully built out. You practice good habits with communication, open-mindedness, and trust; you expect the same from your team members.
SASB is changing the way investors, corporations and the public think about ESG (environmental, social, and governance) sustainability factors, and how that information gets built into the infrastructure of the capital markets. In just over three years we have released sustainability accounting standards for over 80% of U.S. industries, garnered over 5,500 media mentions, and raised $20 million. Our staff is passionate, and our high-profile board is led by former NYC mayor Michael Bloomberg and former SEC chair Mary Schapiro. SASB is growing and capitalizing on the momentum it has achieved. We are building on the initial success of our products and services to position the organization for sustained earned income. Help us generate lasting value for the capital markets and for SASB.
Are you a good fit for this role and is it a good fit for you? Make your case in your cover letter. Generic pitches never make it to the top of the pile.
REPORTING
You report to the Director of Education.
JOB FUNCTION
SASB’s mission is bold. As such, investment analysts, sustainability professionals, financial reporting professionals are looking for original and valuable opportunities to learn how sustainability accounting impacts their work. SASB Education launched its first product – the Fundamentals of Sustainability Accounting (FSA) Credential – in 2015 and will significantly increase its educational offerings in 2016 and beyond. You will be the primary writer and content developer for SASB Education, which is a 3-person team. The team partners extensively with internal and external contributors who inform the content and help us create more education materials than we can alone. For some external contributors, you will be the primary contact and project leader.
The vision for SASB Education is to develop, launch, and optimize rigorous and valuable professional educational programs on sustainability accounting topics for investment analysts, financial reporting professionals, and sustainability professionals.
In 2016, that vision is manifested in the following goals:
- Develop Level II of the FSA Credential (study guide and credential exam)
- Design and develop live training workshops on special sustainability accounting topics
- Create continuing education materials and get them approved and delivered through targeted professional education channels
Your work will focus on these primary areas but will also include other tasks as needed:
Develop Unique Content
- Create educational materials (mostly written documents) that are relevant and engaging for the identified audience.
- Lead the development process; work with internal and external subject matter experts to seek feedback on the materials and refine as appropriate.
Manage External Partners
- Cultivate existing (and new) relationships with external subject matter experts who can inform and supplement your work
- Work with contractors and vendors who support the development and delivery of educational materials
Contribute to Product Growth
- Work with Education product manager and communications team to develop materials that resonate with potential customers and convince them of the value of SASB education programs
Improve and Update Content to Increase Value
- Identify, prioritize, and complete updates to existing materials based on new publications in the marketplace and/or feedback from customers
- Maintain an up-to-date understanding of the target audience’s current practices and educational needs/wants
- Repackage existing materials to serve different audiences or complementary initiatives
Desired Skills and Experience
QUALIFICATIONS
- Compelling writing skills; you distill complex topics into a clear, stimulating narrative
- Sophisticated, practical understanding of investment analysis, and ideally an understanding of sustainability reporting and/or financial reporting practices
- Ideal candidate has 3+ years’ experience with fundamental analysis (i.e. interpreting the financial statements, DCF, valuation ratios) and 2+ years’ experience writing professionally
- Proven ability to manage multiple projects that require seeking internal and external feedback, listening constructively, and exercising judgment to produce results
- Commitment to the mission of SASB
- Enthusiasm for startup environments; interested in projects that move expediently and effectively
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
You’ll have the opportunity to lead a variety of SASB employees who are not direct reports. You’ll also lead and/or manage external contractors, vendors, and volunteers.
TO APPLY:
Anyone interested in applying for this position should contact Nicolai Lundy, director of education, at: nicolai.lundy@sasb.org
