Senior Governance Manager-Manager of ESG and Corporate Responsibility

The Maryland State Retirement Agency (the “Agency”) is the administrator of the Maryland State Retirement and Pension System (the “System”). The System is a multi-employer, public employees’ benefit retirement system composed of twelve (12) separate retirement and pension systems with additional plan components, covering approximately 245,000 active members and more than 160,000 retirees and beneficiaries.Job DescriptionThe Senior Governance Manager is responsible for all aspects of the governance program for the Investment Division including developing appropriate standards, policies, and processes for the implementation and management of the program; and providing guidance and advice to the Chief Investment Officer, Senior Investment Division staff, management at the Agency, and the Board of Trustees. The governance program includes, but is not necessarily limited to, the areas of ESG, DEI, climate, divestment, proxy voting and related processes, and the engagement initiatives with corporate issuers, policy makers and governance organizations.The responsibilities of the Senior Governance Manager will include leading the ESG and DEI initiatives of the Investment Division including monitoring, evaluating, and quantifying the risks and effects of ESG and DEI on the portfolio and the Investment Division.The Senior Governance Manager is responsible for the management of and providing advice to the Board’s Corporate Governance and Securities Litigation Committee on all related governance topics.Position DutiesResponsibilities include but are not limited to:Develops, recommends and implements standards, policies and procedures for the governance programMaintains appropriate and effective management of the governance program which includes meeting goals and objectives of the programMonitors, evaluates and quantifies the risks and effects of ESG factors on the investments of the SystemWorks across asset classes to integrate ESG and DEI factors into investment due diligence and recommendationsPerforms ESG research and analysis, including DEI, on potential and existing investments and provides recommendations and opportunities to the Chief Investment OfficerConducts training to the Board and the Agency staff on ESG and governance related topics, as neededOversight and development of any ESG or governance related reports required by the Legislature or as necessary for the Investment DivisionManages and tracks ESG efforts by external and internal managers and provides any necessary recommendationsChairs the internal DEI and ESG CommitteesManages the Investment Division’s diversity initiativesEvaluates internal and external managers to determine if they represent a diverse set of backgroundsWorks with external data providers, including managers and consultants to analyze, define and prioritize DEI metrics to align with an inclusive environmentSupports the Board of Trustees with the implementation of Maryland’s minority business policiesAdvises the Board’s Corporate Governance and Securities Litigation Committee, the Board of Trustees and Agency management on governance topics including ESG, DEI, divestment, proxy, or other related topics or issuesManages the proxy voting process and ensures proxies are voted in accordance with the Board’s custom proxy guidelinesMaintains knowledge of best practices and current trends in proxy voting and corporate governance topicsInitiates, carries out and manages any engagement activities related to corporate governance topicsManages the meetings, agenda items, information and needs of the Board’s Corporate Governance and Securities Litigation CommitteeOversight and management of any investment divestment programs or proposed divestment initiativesMinimum QualificationsEducation

: Graduated from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor’s degree.Experience

: Relevant experience in investments, corporate governance, ESG, DEI or finance.Desired or Preferred Qualifications:Experience at a pension, endowment, foundation, or other institutional investment organizationExperience in the investment decision making process for public or private assetsExperience in developing and implementing governance programsExperience managing an engagement program on corporate governance mattersExperience creating policies and procedures and maintaining a governance programExperience in managing DEI initiativesExperience with ESG integrationKnowledge of key ESG issues, regulatory and standards setting organizations, measurement tools, ESG data applications and rating systemsKnowledge of the proxy voting process

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