AVP/VP, ESG Investment Management

The AVP/VP for ESG Investment Management focuses on embedding sustainability into the core of the financial decision-making process. You will lead pre-investment due diligence to assess environmental and social risks while identifying opportunities for financial value uplift. This involves a rigorous analysis of how sustainability themes like climate change and social governance impact target companies. Post-investment, you will be responsible for active ownership and targeted portfolio engagement. This means working with portfolio companies to develop and implement bespoke ESG action plans. You are essentially a partner to the Investment Group, ensuring that sustainability is not just a checkbox but a driver of long-term resilience and performance. Additionally, you will manage relationships with external asset managers to foster best-practice exchange. Your role also involves conducting deep-dive research into megatrends—such as biodiversity or social equity—to produce thematic reports that inform broader institutional strategy.

Candidates in this role will gain unparalleled exposure to global ESG integration at a massive scale, learning how a sovereign-linked investor navigates complex sustainability mandates. You will deepen your technical expertise in climate-risk modeling, nature-positive growth strategies, and the evolving landscape of global sustainability disclosures. Mentorship from high-level leadership, including the Chief Sustainability Officer in New York and Directors in Singapore, provides a unique perspective on institutional strategy. Moreover, the cross-functional nature of the Sustainability Group allows for learning across diverse disciplines, from sustainable solutions and decarbonization technologies to public policy and ecosperity initiatives.

The ideal candidate brings at least ten years of experience in sustainable investing, private equity, or management consulting. You must possess a robust understanding of how ESG factors—specifically climate, social, and nature—shape corporate strategy and financial performance. A Master's degree in a relevant field like Finance or Sustainability is highly preferred. Beyond technical skills, Temasek looks for collaborative and agile professionals who can operate across different time zones and cultures. You should have a proven track record of initiating and executing complex projects independently, demonstrating a strong ownership mindset and the ability to present complex data with absolute clarity to executive stakeholders.

To stand out, demonstrate your ability to speak the language of both sustainability and finance. Don't just list ESG frameworks you know; describe specific instances where your ESG analysis directly influenced an investment decision or led to a tangible improvement in a portfolio company's operational performance. Highlight your experience with cross-border collaboration. Since this role reports to Singapore while sitting in New York, proving your ability to manage stakeholder expectations across geographies is crucial. Showcasing familiarity with AI tools for ESG data analysis or thematic research can also give you a significant competitive edge in this forward-looking institution.

This role is central to Temasek’s Net Zero 2050 ambition. You will focus heavily on decarbonization strategies within the portfolio and evaluating the climate resilience of new acquisitions. There is also an increasing focus on nature-positive growth and inclusive social impact as part of the firm's broader mandate. By working within the ESG Investment Management sub-team, you ensure that the firm's sustainability strategy is practically applied. You will likely spend significant time on value uplift initiatives, identifying how portfolio companies can transition their business models to thrive in a low-carbon economy.

The most prominent challenge is the global coordination required, as work hours will frequently extend across multiple time zones to align with the Singapore headquarters. Navigating the differing regulatory and cultural landscapes of ESG across the Americas, EMEA, and Asia requires a high degree of nuance and adaptability. Furthermore, you may face the challenge of quantifying social and environmental impact in financial terms that resonate with traditional investment professionals. Bridging the gap between high-level sustainability goals and day-to-day investment realities requires persistence, excellent communication skills, and data-driven arguments.

A typical day might begin with early or late calls to Singapore to align on global strategic priorities or specific deal evaluations. You could spend your morning reviewing an ESG due diligence report for a potential acquisition in the tech or energy sector, followed by a midday meeting with a portfolio company CEO to discuss their carbon transition roadmap. In the afternoon, you might switch to a more analytical mode, curating internal knowledge repositories or analyzing emerging ESG megatrends to brief the Investment Group. Your day is likely to be a mix of high-level strategic planning and granular project management, interacting with consultants, researchers, and investment partners.

Growth in this role is significant due to the high visibility of the Sustainability Group within Temasek. Successful performance can lead to more senior leadership roles within the ESG team or potential lateral moves into investment management or sustainable solution development. Temasek’s commitment to its 2030 transformation goals means that sustainability professionals are at the forefront of the institution's evolution. You will have opportunities to lead high-profile initiatives that shape the firm's legacy, providing a platform for professional recognition both within the firm and across the global financial industry.

Your primary internal stakeholders include the Investment Group, whom you support as a trusted business partner, and the Chief Sustainability Officer. You will also collaborate closely with the Sustainability Strategy and Sustainable Solutions teams to ensure a unified approach to the firm's ESG objectives. Externally, you will interact with C-suite executives at portfolio companies, external asset managers, and ESG consultants. Managing these diverse relationships—ranging from internal deal teams to external subject matter experts—is essential for successfully driving the firm's sustainability integration efforts.