Q: What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

You will primarily focus on the underwriting and due diligence for private market climate solutions, including energy transition funds and direct co-investments. This involves evaluating the financial viability and carbon-reduction potential of complex investment opportunities. Additionally, you will be tasked with mapping the investment landscape to identify emerging sectors and evolving manager strategies. You will also support the accountability framework by tracking and reporting on the portfolio's exposure to climate solutions.

Q: Key learning opportunities for this job

Working at CalPERS provides unparalleled exposure to large-scale institutional asset management and the intricacies of the global energy transition. You will likely deepen your expertise in private equity, infrastructure, and real assets through a sustainability lens. You will also gain experience in developing ESG accountability frameworks for a multi-billion dollar portfolio, learning how a major public pension fund balances fiduciary duty with aggressive decarbonization targets.

Q: How does the ideal candidate look like (experience, skills)?

The ideal candidate brings a strong background in private markets investment , specifically within energy, infrastructure, or venture capital. A deep technical understanding of climate technologies and the economic drivers of the energy transition is essential for effective underwriting. Analytical rigor and the ability to communicate complex financial and environmental data to senior leadership are highly valued. Experience with California's civil service requirements or similar public sector investment roles would be a significant advantage.

Q: Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, align your application clearly with the CalPERS Investment Beliefs and their Sustainable Investments 2030 Strategy. Demonstrating an understanding of how climate risk impacts long-term pension solvency will show you grasp the core mission. Be prepared to discuss specific underwriting experiences where you integrated environmental metrics into financial models. Highlight your ability to navigate the tension between traditional risk-return profiles and the emerging opportunities in the green economy.

Q: What aspects of the company's sustainability is this role likely to focus on?

The role is at the heart of the Sustainable Investments (SI) program , specifically targeting the objective to invest $100 billion in climate solutions. It bridges the gap between high-level policy goals and actual capital deployment. You will focus on decarbonization strategies across private assets, ensuring that new capital is funneled into technologies and managers that facilitate the global transition to a net-zero economy.

Q: What are the main challenges someone in this role might face?

A primary challenge will be the nascent nature of some climate sectors , which may lack the historical data typically required for conservative pension fund underwriting. You must build robust investment cases for emerging technologies. Furthermore, navigating the reporting requirements and transparency expectations of a major public institution can be complex, requiring high attention to detail to satisfy diverse stakeholders and regulatory standards.

Q: How could a typical day look like for someone in this position?

A typical day involves a mix of manager meetings and deep-dive financial analysis . You might spend the morning reviewing a new energy transition fund’s track record and the afternoon mapping new trends in carbon capture or green hydrogen. Collaboration is key, so you will frequently meet with asset class managers to ensure climate objectives are integrated into broader private equity or real estate strategies, followed by updating internal tracking systems.

Q: The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

Internal stakeholders include the Investment Director and Private Asset Class Managers , with whom you will collaborate on due diligence and portfolio strategy. Externally, you will interact with General Partners (GPs) at private equity firms , co-investment partners, and climate technology experts to source and vet the most promising sustainable investment opportunities.

Question 1

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

Accepted Answer

You will primarily focus on the underwriting and due diligence for private market climate solutions, including energy transition funds and direct co-investments. This involves evaluating the financial viability and carbon-reduction potential of complex investment opportunities. Additionally, you will be tasked with mapping the investment landscape to identify emerging sectors and evolving manager strategies. You will also support the accountability framework by tracking and reporting on the portfolio's exposure to climate solutions.

Question 2

Key learning opportunities for this job

Accepted Answer

Working at CalPERS provides unparalleled exposure to large-scale institutional asset management and the intricacies of the global energy transition. You will likely deepen your expertise in private equity, infrastructure, and real assets through a sustainability lens. You will also gain experience in developing ESG accountability frameworks for a multi-billion dollar portfolio, learning how a major public pension fund balances fiduciary duty with aggressive decarbonization targets.

Question 3

How does the ideal candidate look like (experience, skills)?

Accepted Answer

The ideal candidate brings a strong background in private markets investment, specifically within energy, infrastructure, or venture capital. A deep technical understanding of climate technologies and the economic drivers of the energy transition is essential for effective underwriting. Analytical rigor and the ability to communicate complex financial and environmental data to senior leadership are highly valued. Experience with California's civil service requirements or similar public sector investment roles would be a significant advantage.

Question 4

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

Accepted Answer

To stand out, align your application clearly with the CalPERS Investment Beliefs and their Sustainable Investments 2030 Strategy. Demonstrating an understanding of how climate risk impacts long-term pension solvency will show you grasp the core mission. Be prepared to discuss specific underwriting experiences where you integrated environmental metrics into financial models. Highlight your ability to navigate the tension between traditional risk-return profiles and the emerging opportunities in the green economy.

Question 5

What aspects of the company's sustainability is this role likely to focus on?

Accepted Answer

The role is at the heart of the Sustainable Investments (SI) program, specifically targeting the objective to invest $100 billion in climate solutions. It bridges the gap between high-level policy goals and actual capital deployment. You will focus on decarbonization strategies across private assets, ensuring that new capital is funneled into technologies and managers that facilitate the global transition to a net-zero economy.

Question 6

What are the main challenges someone in this role might face?

Accepted Answer

A primary challenge will be the nascent nature of some climate sectors, which may lack the historical data typically required for conservative pension fund underwriting. You must build robust investment cases for emerging technologies. Furthermore, navigating the reporting requirements and transparency expectations of a major public institution can be complex, requiring high attention to detail to satisfy diverse stakeholders and regulatory standards.

Question 7

How could a typical day look like for someone in this position?

Accepted Answer

A typical day involves a mix of manager meetings and deep-dive financial analysis. You might spend the morning reviewing a new energy transition fund’s track record and the afternoon mapping new trends in carbon capture or green hydrogen. Collaboration is key, so you will frequently meet with asset class managers to ensure climate objectives are integrated into broader private equity or real estate strategies, followed by updating internal tracking systems.

Question 8

What are the opportunities for professional growth and development in this role?

Accepted Answer

Given the scale and visibility of the $100 billion climate commitment, this role offers a pathway to senior leadership within the Sustainable Investments program or within specific private asset classes. You will be at the forefront of a globally watched investment strategy, positioning you as a thought leader in the sustainable finance industry and providing opportunities to represent CalPERS in international investment forums.

Question 9

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

Accepted Answer

Internal stakeholders include the Investment Director and Private Asset Class Managers, with whom you will collaborate on due diligence and portfolio strategy. Externally, you will interact with General Partners (GPs) at private equity firms, co-investment partners, and climate technology experts to source and vet the most promising sustainable investment opportunities.

Sustainable Investments Associate Investment Manager

FAQ de l’offre

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

Key learning opportunities for this job

How does the ideal candidate look like (experience, skills)?

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

What aspects of the company's sustainability is this role likely to focus on?

What are the main challenges someone in this role might face?

How could a typical day look like for someone in this position?

What are the opportunities for professional growth and development in this role?

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

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