Asset Management - Newark (NJ), NJ PGIM Fixed Income | Associate - Environmental, Social, and Governance Research

Company Overview

PGIM Fixed Income is a global fixed income asset manager with $920 billion assets under management as of June 30, 2020, making it one of the largest fixed income managers in the world. The group has a long history in the fixed income markets having started managing fixed income portfolios for its proprietary accounts in 1875 and accounts for institutional clients in 1928. The group is headquartered in Newark, NJ, with affiliated offices in London, Tokyo and Singapore.

PGIM Fixed Income stands out for the stability and consistency of its investment processes, investment and research teams and its track records. In concert with its internal stability, PGIM Fixed Income also enjoys a high level of client loyalty and a redemption ratio that is far below industry standard.

PGIM Fixed Income’s capabilities and expertise extend across a wide range of traditional and non-traditional fixed income sectors globally. As a group, it specializes in managing credit-related portfolios including investment grade and high yield corporate bonds (global, European and US) emerging markets debt, structured products and bank loans, and multi-sector portfolios. It also manages specialized products including hedge fund strategies (relative value, global macro and emerging market long/short) and collateralized loan obligations (CLOs).

PGIM is proud of its distinctive culture. It is a non-political and non-aggressive organization with a sound reputation for the pedigree and professionalism of its employees. PGIM Fixed Income has a feeling of quality and stability, but at the same time it is forward-thinking and evolutionary in its approach. PGIM Fixed Income has created an environment centered around mutual respect, trust in each other, collegiality, teamwork, meritocracy, intellectual honesty, transparency, and an unwavering commitment to our clients. Employees find it a hugely congenial place to work with a strong sense of team spirit existing throughout the organization at every level. As a result, staff turnover is particularly low, especially on the investment side where senior investment professionals average 20 years tenure with the firm. This is also testament to the group’s dedication to its employees, helping them develop their careers within the organization.

Role Background

PGIM Fixed Income is in the process of expanding its ESG research team as it continues to enhance its ESG capabilities. ESG is fully integrated into PGIM Fixed Income’s investment process and the firm’s 100+ experienced credit research analysts have the primary responsibility for assessing all credit material ESG factors for each issuer they cover. To the extent such ESG factors represent significant risks and/or opportunities for an issuer, this is reflected in its fundamental credit rating. In addition, PGIM Fixed Income’s credit research analysts are tasked with assigning each issuer they cover a separate ESG impact rating. These are not risk ratings, but instead reflect the degree to which an issuer’s overall ESG impact is positive or negative for the environment and society.

To complement the work done by its credit research team, PGIM Fixed Income is currently building a distinct ESG specialist team, which will be responsible for:

Maintaining, enhancing and ensuring the consistent implementation of PGIM Fixed Income’s ESG integration approach, including the processes used to analyze ESG risks and opportunities as well as the framework for applying its ESG impact ratings.

Undertaking sector, thematic, and issuer-level ESG research across all fixed income asset classes and regions.

Partnering with credit research analysts, economists and portfolio managers to identify and incorporate material ESG factors into their investment analyses and decision-making.

Engaging with issuers on ESG issues, both individually and in partnership with credit research analysts and economists.

Tracking ESG-related developments from a market, regulatory and thematic perspective and formulating strategies for PGIM Fixed Income to adapt accordingly.

Understanding and analyzing 3rd party ESG data and research, working with the firm’s technology support group to constantly improve ways of accessing and applying this data, and investigating potential new sources of such information.

Producing ESG-related thought leadership for use by PGIM Fixed Income and its clients. Interfacing with peers, industry groups and other external ESG organizations.

Partnering with PGIM Fixed Income’s client advisory group to explain the firm’s ESG approach to clients, respond to their ESG-related queries and improve the ESG-related reporting they receive.

Participating in the design and launch of new ESG products and strategies.

The ESG specialist team is led by PGIM Fixed Income’s head of ESG research, who is based in London and reports directly to the firm’s global head of credit research and portfolio management. The team itself will eventually be comprised of 7 professionals split between London and Newark.

Key Job Responsibilities

Maintaining and enhancing PGIM FI’s approach to analyzing ESG risks and opportunities as well as the proprietary framework for applying its ESG impact ratings.

Undertaking sector, thematic, and issuer-level ESG research across all fixed income asset classes and regions.

Working closely with portfolio managers, credit analysts and economists in order to ensure the integration of the ESG specialists team’s work into their investment decision-making processes.

Participating in ESG engagement efforts in close partnership with credit research analysts and economists. Supporting the client advisory group to communicate the firm’s ESG approach in the US.

Producing ESG-related thought leadership for use by PGIM Fixed Income and its clients.

This position will be based in Newark.

3 years of experience in an ESG focused role, ideally in asset management with good knowledge of fixed income asset classes and strategies.

Experience of conducting ESG research at a sector and/or company level, and ability to assess the materiality of ESG factors for investment performance.

Experience of engaging with companies on ESG topics, as well as other key stakeholders.

Excellent analytical skills Ability to build and maintain relationships, both internally and externally.

Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to clearly articulate complex ideas and concepts at a level of detail adapted to the audience.

Ability to maintain focus and deliver required outputs when under pressure.

Self-motivation, self-reliance and good organizational skills.

Creativity and a proven capacity for critical thinking.

Strong written and spoken English language skills.