Esg and Proxy Voting Analyst, Global Asset Management

100 King Street West Toronto Ontario,M5X 1A1

BMO GAM’s Responsible Investment team oversees the firm’s ESG initiatives and supports all investment teams in integrating ESG considerations into the investment process. In addition to supporting investment processes, the team owns and executes on BMO GAM’s firm wide commitments to responsible investment, develops thought leadership on emerging ESG topics and employs a progressive approach to stewardship and active ownership activities. The team works with both internal and external stakeholders across all sales channels in both asset management and the wider wealth businesses.

We are hiring for an **ESG and Proxy Voting Analyst** who will support Stewardship activities. Primarily the role will be responsible for proxy voting and conducting ESG investment research and analysis across various companies and sectors. This work will primarily support stewardship and investment management including proxy voting activities, company dialogue, ESG research and analysis and thought leadership. They work closely with RI team members, investment teams and other internal stakeholders to ensure proxy voting and ESG research supports business needs. We are looking for an individual with excellent organizational skills that can juggle multi-tasking - from proxy voting to reporting and thought leadership, to meet the needs of the team.

Key elements of the role include:
**_ Proxy Voting_**
- Analyze and vote proxies as identified on PM watchlists (mostly in the North American market) in alignment with our Corporate Governance Guidelines, in a timely and detailed-oriented manner.
- Contribute to escalating borderline or controversial votes according to internal procedures.
- Contribute to voting-related engagement with investee companies, prior to, during and following proxy voting season.
- Conduct research on governance and stewardship best practices in North America and stay abreast of evolving standards and regulatory changes.
- Support recommending amendments to our corporate governance guidelines informing proxy voting strategies and conduct research on the implication of guideline changes.
- Assist with reporting on our voting activities and the writing of case-studies to demonstrate our work on governance and proxy voting.

**_ ESG Research and Engagement_**
- Conduct quantitative and qualitative ESG research as instructed to support building internal company-, sector-, market
- and macro thematic expertise.
- Contribute to industry-leading thought leadership pieces and case-studies on emerging ESG topics and thematic Climate Action and Social Equality focus areas.
- Support engagement with investee companies on ESG topics conducted by both the RI and investment teams.
- Utilizing insights from proxy voting, lead engagements focused on corporate governance.
- Work to develop sector
- Contribute to internal presentations on ESG topics, research and industry developments.
- Assist in the development and improvement of internal ESG-related tools, databases and processes.

**_ Stakeholder Management_**
- Implements responsible investment proxy voting requirements.
- Identifies, recommends and implements solutions based on analysis of meetings, companies, the market and implications for the business.
- Ensures alignment between stakeholders regarding business needs and stewardship practices.
- Develops solutions and makes recommendations based on an understanding of responsible investment strategy and stakeholder needs.
- Provides advice and guidance to assigned investment sectors or coverage area.
- Contributes to client-facing presentations.

**_ Strategy / Strategic Initiatives_**
- Conducts independent analysis and assessment to contribute to the Responsible Investment team priorities or strategies to resolve strategic issues.
- Supporting senior members of the team an ad-hoc projects as required.

**_ Data Analytics_**
- Designs and produces regular and ad-hoc reports, and dashboards.
- Builds and maintains quantitative and qualitative data tools using basic coding and/or technical skills.
- Monitors and tracks tool performance, user acceptance testing, and addresses any issues.
- Integrates information from multiple sources to enable more efficient processes, enhanced analysis and/or streamlined reporting.

**_ Other_**
- Employs systems (e.g. customized exception reports, tracking reports, etc.) to manage information.
- Integrates information from multiple sources to enable more efficient processes, enhanced analysis and/or streamlined market research.

**_ Qualifications_**
- At least 6 years of direct or relevant experience and post-secondary degree in related field of study or an equivalent combination of education, experience and advanced understanding of the functional area and the market, preferably in Asset Management.
- Strong experience of executing proxy voting in proxy season preferably in the North American market (minimum of 2 full seasons desirable).
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