Investment Associate - Sustainability

About the role

As a (sustainability-focused) Investment Associate at Colesco, you will grow into a leading sustainable investment professional, developing, executing, and advocating sustainable investment practices. Together with our Responsible Investment Officer, you will be working closely with the broader investment team. You will be active in a competitive and dynamic international environment with professional clients, consisting of Private Equity sponsors, mid-market companies, and large blue-chip investors. You will, for example, be consulted on sustainability-related challenges that come with investing, assessing the sustainability performance and engaging with (potential) portfolio companies, and have strong involvement in the continuous development of our Responsible Investment approach  – producing thought leadership to support this.

Practical examples of what the role entails:

• Driving, developing and executing market leading market-leading sustainability practices addressing current needs (for example how to address biodiversity or water scarcity, the transition towards net zero, and our impact measurement methodology and reporting);
• Playing a key role in each phase of the investment process and proactively contributing to the sustainability related topics of the investment portfolio. For example: support in strategic / sustainability analyses of target companies, conducting ESG / Impact due diligence, and ongoing portfolio company engagement;
• As a sustainability specialist you will be in contact with leading Institutional and Private Equity investors and their professional advisors, directly contributing to the investment outcome while learning and contributing to the continuous improvement of the investment team;
• Be part of an ambitious venture to become the leading sustainable Private Debt asset management boutique. Directly contribute to the fulfilment of this ambition by supporting the management team in acquiring and building relationships with professional investors and the development of new sustainable investment strategies/solutions.

The big picture – Uniting Capital and Purpose

At Colesco we invest with a sustainability mindset to support our clients in realising their sustainable growth ambitions. As part of the investment team, you will proactively contribute to the creation of an independent investment thesis within short time frames. You will build a network of PE firms, mid-market companies, sustainability experts, and professional advisors. As well as contributing to impactful, complex, international investment opportunities, you will also get the opportunity to be involved in fundraising and business development to obtain and execute investment mandates.

You and your talent

• A Master’s degree or equivalent with a strong GPA (please mention in your resume), CFA/VBA or other relevant qualifications are a plus;
• 3+ years of relevant work experience in e.g. asset management, strategy or sustainability consultancy, private equity/credit, sustainable finance, or a sustainability-oriented legal practice;
• Strong communication (fluent in Dutch and English), presentation, and analytical skills with attention to detail.

You are also focused on learning and contributing to the continuous improvement of yourself and the team and demonstrate:

• A down-to-earth and an open/entrepreneurial mindset with high ambitions;
• Eagerness to contribute to  the transition towards a more sustainable future;
• A team player mentality, with the ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment;
• A self-starting, curious, and creative yet pragmatic approach to complex challenges.