Research Analyst (Custom Research)

Let’s be #BrilliantTogether

ISS STOXX’s Customized Research Services works with institutional investors to help them fully optimize their corporate governance program through the provision of governance expertise, advice, and other customized deliverables. The team draws on a deep understanding of global corporate governance and best practices – gathered through fundamental research and partnerships with institutional investors and other stakeholder engagements – to help institutional investors better understand the corporate governance landscape, ESG concerns, and other proxy voting issues.  

Custom Research Analysts, working as members of global regional teams, help clients develop and/or implement customized guidelines that reflect each client’s unique corporate governance philosophy. The teams leverage a proprietary software, in conjunction with analysts’ global corporate governance expertise, to provide clients with customized proxy vote recommendations and rationales, based on their respective proxy voting guidelines. We also keep clients apprised of new trends and emerging issues that have garnered increased interest in the investment community. Additionally, we partner with clients to fully optimize their corporate governance programs through customized peer comparison reports and other analytics, and perform research on emerging corporate governance topics, statistical and trend analyses, and various projects as requested by clients.  

Responsibilities

• Fostering enduring relationships with clients to understand their needs, and provide them with advisory services and expertise on global corporate governance trends, policies, guidelines and best practices..

• Contribute to, and lead, department-wide projects.

• Provide insightful, grounding, well-reasoned proxy voting recommendations and rationale based on client-specific proxy voting guidelines

• Perform research on a variety of proposals to be voted on at annual shareholder meetings of publicly traded companies from a client-specific perspective

• Apply an understanding of shareholder/corporate governance issues gathered through fundamental research and contact with institutional investors and/or company executives

• Actively work with clients to help them to update, develop or formulate their proxy voting guidelines

• Complete client-specific projects on various corporate governance trends, topics, and data

• Research policy-related issues, and support teammates in their completion of client projects as needed

• Contribute to seasonal reviews, client calls, and client-focused research reports.

• Lead or participate in engagement with institutional investors, corporate executives or directors and other market players.

• Answer internal and external queries on research analyses, and discuss policies and vote recommendations as appropriate

• Conduct peer review, and contribute to the development of other research analysts.

• Participate in and actively contribute to ISS policy formulation and update efforts

• Identify opportunities to enhance the department's service offering, including various process improvement initiatives

• Work with Corporate Technology to develop, enhance and test current and new applications that will benefit our clients, the department and the company as a whole

Qualifications

Analytic

• Strong analytical abilities and comfort with ambiguity

• Superior problem-solving skills

• Intellectual curiosity and dedication to mastering complex concepts

• Superior judgment

• Good understanding of business technology, and experience working with technology in an operational context

• Strong computer literacy with previous experience and excellent knowledge of MS Office

Advisory Service

• Strong client service ethic

• Exceptional relationship-building skills

• Exhibits confidence and consistency under pressure

Communication and Presentation

• Excellent writing and oral communication skills, and the ability to formulate and support a position on an issue

• Ability to work within a team-oriented environment and communicate with various internal and external parties

Management

• Organizational skills, attention to detail, a self-driven work ethic, and the ability to prioritize multiple tasks in a high-pressure, deadline-driven environment

• Effective time management skills and ability to meet deadlines

• Willingness to work long hours and weekends primarily during peak weeks (March, April, May, June), but on an as-needed basis throughout the year as well

Additional Qualifications  

• Bachelor´s degree and 0-4 years’ experience, preferably in a related field such as finance, research, or law OR Master's degree in finance, economics, law, or equivalent 

This role is being recruited in Rockville, MD and Washington, DC. 

• Rockville, MD: Located within one mile of the Shady Grove Red Line metro station, with free shuttle service between the metro and office, ample free parking and an onsite gym.

• Washington, DC: A modern, open-floor workspace on Rhode Island Avenue in Northwest DC, with an onsite gym and convenient metro access.

Base salary: The Rockville, MD and Washington, DC expected base pay range is $65,000-68,000 per year. Exact compensation may vary based on location, skills, experience, and level of education.

The role is bonus or sales incentive eligible.

#LI-MK1 #Associate #Analyst

What you can expect from us

Our people are the moving force behind ISS STOXX. We are dedicated to hiring the best, most talented people in our industry and empowering them with the resources and support to enhance their career, health, financial and personal well-being. 

We are committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of diversity and inclusion. We are invested in our people and are working every day to ensure a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace.

Let’s unite, collaborate, and inspire one another. 

Let’s be #BrilliantTogether.

About ISS STOXX

ISS STOXX GmbH is a leading provider of research and technology solutions for the financial market. Established in 1985, we offer top-notch benchmark and custom indices globally, helping clients identify investment opportunities and manage portfolio risks. Our services cover corporate governance, sustainability, cyber risk, and fund intelligence. Majority-owned by Deutsche Börse Group, ISS STOXX has over 3,400 professionals in 33 locations worldwide, serving around 6,400 clients, including institutional investors and companies focused on ESG, cyber, and governance risk. Clients trust our expertise to make informed decisions for their stakeholders' benefit. 

Founded in 1985 as Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) Inc., ISS Governance is a leading global provider of independent and objective shareholder meeting research and recommendations, providing multiple voting policy choices as well as end-to-end workflow solutions for institutional investors. More than 1,600 clients worldwide utilize ISS Governance’s actionable expertise to help them make informed investment stewardship decisions, and to help them manage their voting responsibilities. Covering over 50,000 meetings annually, ISS Governance leverages its extensive global footprint, deep experience, high quality data and analysis, unified client support, and technology infrastructure to continuously evolve and extend its innovative suite of solutions to meet clients’ evolving portfolio, fiduciary, and stewardship requirements. 

Visit our website: https://www.issgovernance.com

View additional open roles: https://www.issgovernance.com/join-the-iss-team/

We are proud to offer the following featured benefits 

• Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage
• 401(k) with a company match up to 9%, including a Safe Harbor contribution
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and commuter benefit programs
• Generous paid time off
• Volunteer Day
• Paid parental leave
• Hybrid working options

Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. (ISS) is an equal employment opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant because of race, color, ethnicity, creed, religion, sex, age, height, weight, citizenship status, national origin, social origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, pregnancy status, marital status, familial status, mental or physical disability, veteran status, military service or status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law (referred to as “protected status”). All activities including, but not limited to, recruiting and hiring, recruitment advertising, promotions, performance appraisals, training, job assignments, compensation, demotions, transfers, terminations (including layoffs), benefits, and other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment, are and will be administered on a non-discriminatory basis, consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local requirements. For more information, please view https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ofccp/posters.

ISS is committed to complying fully with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable federal, state, and local laws. ISS is also committed to ensuring equal opportunity in employment for qualified person with disabilities. ISS prohibits discrimination against applicants and employees on the basis of disability as it pertains to the job application and hiring process and other terms and conditions of employment. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation as part of the employment selection process, please contact [email protected]. This email is created exclusively to assist disabled job seekers where disability prevents them from being able to apply online. Only messages left for this purpose will be returned. Messages sent for other purposes, such as following up on an application or other technical issues not related to a disability, will not receive a response.