Shareholder Advocacy & Corporate Engagement Specialist

WHO WE ARE and WHAT WE DO:

The SOC is a mission-focused center that develops strategies and implements tactics on transformational campaigns that confront corporate power. We partner with workers, allies and our affiliates — the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Communication Workers of America (CWA), and the United Farmworkers of America (UFW) — whose 3 million members are united in building a strong, vibrant labor movement through organizing workers hungry for change. Through cutting-edge research and innovative campaigns, the SOC advocates for workers, consumers and other constituencies harmed by concentrated corporate power across a wide range of industries, including food service, transportation and logistics, communications, healthcare, manufacturing and more.

THE OPPORTUNITY:

The SOC Investment Group is the shareholder advocacy arm of the Strategic Organizing Center. We are seeking a Shareholder Advocacy & Corporate Engagement Specialist. You will work with a team to help organize and support investor engagement with publicly traded corporations. You’ll research and monitor publicly traded companies to help advocate for corporate governance reforms, working closely with various investor groups and other stakeholders to help promote corporate accountability. As a member of the Investment Group team, you will assist in the development and execution of novel shareholder proposals, sign-on letters, and director accountability campaigns. You will also help craft our communications strategy and media messaging to support our work.

THE WORK:

• Conduct extensive corporate research and analysis to inform engagement on a range of issues including, but not limited to, human capital management, corporate governance, human rights, and political spending.
• Lead engagements with companies, investors, and proxy advisors through writing letters, crafting presentations, organizing webinars and forums, preparing reports, and participating in coalition work.
• Develop and maintain effective relationships with pension fund trustees and staff, other institutional shareholders, and the broader investor community.
• Gather and analyze data on industries; investor voting histories and policies; federal, state, and international standards; and other areas as assigned.
• Help with media outreach and development of the SOC Investment Group’s social media profile.
• Represent the SOC Investment Group in external and internal forums.
• Perform other duties as required to support the SOC Investment Group.

An individual should demonstrate the following competencies to perform the essential functions of this position successfully:

• Attention to Detail and Accuracy: Thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.
• Project Management: Ability to effectively manage a workload with competing priorities and meet deadlines in a timely and efficient manner.
• Self-Management: Works independently and takes initiative. Able to critically evaluate their own work before submitting projects to their supervisor.
• Adaptability: Ability to navigate ever evolving regulatory requirements and standards and keep up to date with the latest developments.
• Collaborative: Ability to work with members of the IG staff on a variety of tasks, including occasional administrative work; responds positively to instructions and feedback.
• Communications: Ability to communicate our strategies externally with companies and other investors, as well as non-investor stakeholders. Ability to communicate internally with team members regarding questions or concerns that may arise.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

The SOC Investment Group is seeking candidates who are passionate about our mission and are highly proactive. Candidates for employment at the SOC, regardless of position, will consistently demonstrate the following:

• Excellent writing, political, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to conduct thorough research to identify material risks at specific companies or industries.
• An understanding of current trends and best practices in proxy voting and shareholder rights.
• Ability to think critically and analytically and use sound judgment.
• Ability to present complex issues to a variety of audiences, both investor and non-investor.
• Good computer skills, including key Office 365 programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams), Zoom, and on-line information sources, such as EDGAR.
• Interested in learning and developing new skills and a willingness to ask questions.
• Strong relationship building and interpersonal skills.
• A strong commitment to social justice.
• Knowledge of financial, legal, and investor research platforms, including Capital IQ, Diligent, ISS Voting Analytics, PACER, and Lexus Nexus
• Working knowledge of SharePoint, Power BI, and Zoom webinars.
• Good professional network in the investor or labor union communities.
• Experience with media, including taking interviews, writing op-eds, and working with communications professionals to craft messages for press outreach.
• Experience conducting corporate transaction, financial, or executive compensation analysis.

Minimum Required Education and Experience:

• Advanced degree or BA or BS plus equivalent job experience required in economics, business, finance, labor relations, legal or related fields.
• Minimum of five years (5) work experience with labor, financial, public interest, or governmental organizations preferably with experience advocating to improve the human capital management practices of companies.

Physical Demands & Working Environment:

• The Shareholder Advocacy and Corporate Engagement Specialist is expected to spend at least two days per week in-office at our Washington, DC location and may work remotely otherwise.
• Willingness to travel, occasionally work long and irregular hours for conferences and to attend corporate annual meetings, particularly in the Spring and Fall.

WHAT WE OFFER:

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Compensation:

Salary is calculated based on years of experience, with annual increases according to an established salary scale. The salary range for this position is $88,574 - $105,762. This is a full-time exempt position.

Benefits:

The SOC is proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package that prioritizes the well-being and development of our employees:

• Health Insurance: Enjoy 100% employer-paid health coverage, including medical, dental, vision, and prescription benefits for you, your spouse or domestic partner, and children.
• Retirement Savings: After six months of employment, benefit from a generous 12% salary contribution to your 401K retirement plan.
• Life and Disability Insurance: We fully cover premiums for life insurance as well as short- and long-term disability insurance.
• Additional Perks: Receive cell phone provision, Commuter Benefits, and access to Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) to help manage your expenses.
• Paid Time Off: Accrue 13 days of sick leave, enjoy 14 paid holidays, and take advantage of 10 days of paid vacation (which increases with seniority up to 25 days per year). You’ll also receive 2 personal days and 4 days of compensatory time.
• Parental Leave: Benefit from 8 weeks of paid parental leave to support your growing family.
• Professional Development: We are committed to your growth, providing a professional development budget each year for every staff member to enhance skills and career advancement.

Join us in a supportive environment where your health, well-being, and professional growth are our top priorities!

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

A resume is required for all applications and a cover letter is highly suggested. Your cover letter should explain your reasons for wanting to work at the SOC, an example of how you demonstrated success in a similar position, and a description of how this position fits into your long-term career plan. Please go to our website www.thesoc.org, scroll to the bottom and click on “Careers at the SOC” to be taken to our job board.

Women and people of color are strongly urged to apply. The Strategic Organizing Center does not discriminate in any of its programs, procedures, or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, mental or physical disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orienta­tion, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under state or federal law in employment and application for employment.