SUSTAINABILITY ACCOUNTING STANDARDS BOARD (SASB ) Job Description

Transcription

1 SUSTAINABILITY ACCOUNTING STANDARDS BOARD (SASB ) Job Description Sector Analyst Consumer Goods The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work to be performed and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel in this position. ABOUT SASB The Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB ) is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization engaged in the development and dissemination of industry-specific sustainability accounting standards. SASB will establish an understanding of material sustainability issues facing industries and create sustainability accounting standards suitable for disclosure in standard filings such as the Form 10- K. SASB addresses the unique needs of the U.S. market, establishing standards for integrated reporting that are concise, comparable within an industry, and relevant to all ~13,000 publicly listed companies in the U.S. Investors will benefit from a complete view of sustainability risks and opportunities facing companies, and access to comparable, material data that fully characterizes the potential for long term value creation. Companies will enjoy a cost-effective way to prepare an integrated report using the Form 10-K, and create sustainable value by managing performance on the most material issues. The Public will benefit from improved transparency and competitiveness of US industry. Please visit for more information. Job Summary The Sector Analyst will lead the standards-setting activities for the industries in the sector. The Sector Analyst is the primary liaison between SASB and the issuers, investors, and other stakeholders associated with a sector. The Sector Analyst will leverage sector experience to identify and evaluate emerging sustainability topics and be an expert on the intersection of sustainability issues and financial drivers of the sector. The Sector Analyst will develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders including relevant industry associations, top issuers in each industry and the top financial analysts who cover a sector. The Sector Analyst position is a role that has a significant external focus. As such, sector analysts must possess the highest degree of professionalism and credibility in representing SASB and soliciting views of issuers and other key stakeholders on the standards. In addition to interfacing regularly with stakeholders through conferences, webinars, and social media, the sector analyst is expected to publish articles about key topics in the SASB standards for the sector, and to develop and maintain a high profile external presence. On a regular basis, the sector analyst is responsible for documenting current and timely evidence of materiality from relevant sources including industry reports, media reports, corporate disclosures,

2 academic studies, and other desk research. This includes evidence showing the financial impacts of sustainability issues as well as evidence of interest from investors. The sector analyst is also responsible for developing and maintaining analytics to determine the materiality of certain sustainability factors and the impact on valuation. The Sector Analyst will develop discounted cash flow (DCF) models and use other analytical and valuation techniques to test the materiality of factors and the decision usefulness of the standards. On a periodic basis the sector analyst will shepherd the codification process for changes to the standards for the industries in the sector, preparing a proposed agenda, summary of research, monthly reports of activities, basis for conclusions, and updated code (accounting metrics and technical protocols). In his or her sector, the Sector Analyst is responsible for ensuring: - the quality and consistency of the evidence basis for inclusion of sustainability topics in the SASB standards, - the quality and consistency of all accounting metrics and technical protocols included in the SASB standards and - the continued strong participation of key SASB stakeholders in all relevant standards-setting phases. The Sector Analyst works in a community of practice with his or her fellow sector analysts to collectively push for continuous improvement of the quality of SASB standards across all sectors. Up to 10% of the Sector Analyst s time will be to work closely with the Technical Director on activities such as analytics of SASB s metrics, liaising with governance bodies, collaborating with peer standards setting organizations, conducting cost-benefit analysis, and other duties as they arise. About Consumer Goods Sector The Consumer Goods sector, formerly the Consumption II sector, is comprised of seven consumer goods & retail industries: Household & Personal Products Multiline & Specialty Retailers & Distributors E-Commerce Apparel, Accessories & Footwear Building Products & Furnishings Appliance Manufacturing Toys & Sporting Goods REPORTS TO: The Sector Analyst reports to the Director of Research. ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES Maintain Evidence of Materiality. The Sector Analyst ensures that evidence of materiality underlying each sustainability topic in the standards is (i) sufficient to warrant a standard for disclosure, (ii) updated for evolution of sustainability topics and (iii) documented in a transparent and dynamic format, through (a) a formal basis for conclusions supporting any standards or updates and (b) a research library that

3 comprehensively captures current and historical evidence. Evidence supporting the inclusion of topics in the SASB standards includes documentation and analysis of stakeholder consultation in the standardssetting process. Maintain Decision-usefulness and Cost-benefit of Metrics. The Sector Analyst works closely with the Technical Director to ensure that the accounting metrics and technical protocols in the standards for his or her industries of coverage are (i) updated for changes in sustainability topics that are covered in the standards and innovation in measurement best practices, (ii) decision-useful and cost-beneficial, and that (iii) the metrics decision-usefulness and cost-benefit are documented in a transparent and dynamic format, through (a) a formal basis for conclusions supporting any standards or updates and (b) a research library that comprehensively captures current and historical analysis of decision-usefulness and costbenefit. Such analysis includes the documentation of systematic stakeholder consultation in the standards-setting process. Codification, Update and Interpretation of the Standards. The Sector Analyst works closely with the Technical Director to ensure that due process is followed for proposing changes to the SASB standards during the codification or update process, in accordance with the SASB Rules of Procedure. The Sector Analyst supports the Technical Director in his or her role as primary interface with the Standards Council (or other entity in charge of approving SASB standards), including the preparation of necessary documentation or due process. The Sector Analyst works closely with the Technical Director to ensure the relevance and accuracy of technical interpretations of the SASB standards that may relate to the scope, intent, and calculation methodology. Sector Analysts are responsible for identifying areas where the standards need interpretation and prepare a proposal for a technical interpretation, for approval by the Technical Director. Analytics. The Sector Analyst maintains updated SASB data tables and illustrative analysis of integration of SASB standards in traditional financial analysis, including fundamental (DCF) and comparative (ratio) analysis. In this capacity, the Sector Analyst will develop an expert knowledge of financial value drivers, performance data on SASB standards, and run analytics on the interaction between sustainability and financial performance. Stakeholder Consultations. The Sector Analyst ensures continued strong participation of key SASB stakeholders corporate issuers, investors and intermediaries during all phases of standards setting for his or her sector and industries, including codification of SASB standards, updates to the SASB Code, implementation reviews, industry consultations and public comment periods. The Sector Analyst acts as the primary SASB interface with key stakeholders for standards-setting activities in his or her sector, including individual and group meetings, webinars, and other direct consultations. The Sector Analyst also works with the Communications Team on the organization of broad surveys (e.g. Industry Working Groups) and public comments periods and to ensure that all comments and feedback during formal and informal stakeholder consultations is received, analyzed and integrated in the standards-setting process, through appropriate internal documentation and presentation of the results, in aggregate, summary and detailed formats, as necessary. The sector analyst is also responsible for closing the loop with stakeholders, letting them know how their feedback was addressed. SASB Spokesperson for Sector. The Sector Analyst represents SASB to the outside world in relation to his or her sector under coverage, developing deep relationships with companies, investors, industry associations, and subject matter experts. The Sector Analyst acts as an expert on the interaction of sustainability and operational and financial performance in his or her sector. He or she maintains a pulse on the market, considering the current and best practices in disclosure and analysis of sustainability topics. In this capacity, the Sector Analyst will raise awareness of general topics in the standards and project thought leadership through blogs, publications and media events. S/he will also develop a SASB point of view about industry drivers and materiality of the topics, the cost effectiveness and decision usefulness of the metrics, and the emerging trends and issues in corporate sustainability.

4 Quality. The Sector Analyst plays a key role in ensuring the completeness, quality and consistency of the evidence of materiality of sustainability topics included in the SASB standards, and the quality and integrity of the SASB code in accordance with the SASB Conceptual Framework and Rules of Procedure. Community of Practice. As a community, the sector analysts will work together to develop and share best practices on the industry-specific aspects of their work on stakeholder consultation, research and codification, reflecting the unique sustainability characteristics of each sector and industry, the sophistication of industry sustainability practices and the level of stakeholder engagement. Other: Other duties as assigned. QUALIFICATIONS 5+ years experience as a financial research analyst, preferably at a financial institution, and/or sector (industry) experience desired in operations, finance, or consulting Experience in sustainability or environmental, social and governance (ESG) research Experience in a regulatory or standards organization a plus A broad network of contacts in the sector of responsibility, including issuers, investors, and industry associations Undergraduate degree (BA) required. Concentration in business, accounting, finance or economics preferred. Master s Degree in Business Administration, Economics, Public Policy or Finance preferred. CFA or CPA desired and attainment of SASB FSA required within a year Superior research and analysis skills, including technical aptitude and understanding of basic engineering and accounting concepts; comprehension and synthesis of complex information. Experience with Bloomberg terminals, qualitative and quantitative financial research, DCF models and other valuation or portfolio management techniques Consultative skills and ability to manage a broad array of relationships and contacts using Salesforce Excellent writing, presentation, and speaking skills across a range of formats and audiences Proven ability to manage competing priorities and deliver to strict deadlines Demonstrated commitment to high professional, ethical standards and a diverse workplace High energy, positive, can-do attitude, attention to detail and high degree of initiative Collaborative work style; entrepreneurial; excels in a fast-paced, changing team-based environment SPECIAL ADA REQUIREMENTS SASB is in full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and does not discriminate with regard to applicants or employees with disabilities, and will make reasonable accommodation when necessary. For the purposes of ADA, the Essential Duties and Responsibilities and Qualifications are essential job functions. Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment, with typical office noise, equipment, and with staff tending to other business transactions. Both standing and sitting are required for extended periods of time, with majority of work of the job done sitting. Approximately three-quarters of the time performing job duties is spent using a computer keyboard and/or telephone. Various types of office equipment/supplies are used to accomplish the job requirements and include, but are not limited to phones, computers, pens, pencils, calculators, computer keyboards, telephone, printers, etc. May be required to drive personal auto to other work sites for meetings, conferences, etc.

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