Data and Research Coordinator

Reports to: Vice President of Social Responsibility

Department: Social Responsibility

Location: Flexible within Eastern or Central time zone/ St. Louis, Missouri

Employment: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Exempt

Organization:

Launched in February 2010, Mercy Investment Services provides for the collective investment and professional management of the endowment and other investment funds of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas and their sponsored ministries, while working for a just and sustainable world and embraces socially responsible investing as a means of promoting systemic change, with emphasis in the areas of non-violence, racism, environment, concern for women, and immigration. Our multifaceted socially responsible investing program includes shareholder advocacy engagement with companies, proxy voting, portfolio screening and impact investing (both community and market rate investments). More information is available at https://mercyinvestmentservices.org.

Position Summary:

The Data and Research Coordinator is responsible for assisting the social responsibility program staff by maintaining and administering databases and document collection of shareholder advocacy initiatives; coordinating and supporting shareholder advocacy engagement reporting; submitting company filings and communications according to federal regulatory requirements; and supporting internal and external communications.

Responsibilities include:

• Maintains organizational databases and tracking systems for documenting shareholder advocacy initiatives (e.g., dialogues, resolutions, sign-on letters), including assisting with the input of data into database, reviewing and confirming entry information from relevant sources to ensure accuracy of data and documents entered, and ongoing maintenance of database.
• Coordinates, submits and tracks filings of resolutions with companies as directed by the shareholder advocacy team for Mercy Investment Services and its partners, including company letters, resolutions, custodian certifications, co-filers and follow-up communications with companies.
• Coordinates and oversees the organization and maintenance of sign-on letters and investor statements, alert engagement partners of the potential to add their signature, coordinate with sponsoring organizations to aggregate AUM and sign organizations on; search for final versions of letters and statements for data warehousing.
• Maintains database and calendar tracking system for company filing dates, engagements, resolutions, annual shareholder meetings and other key information for companies engaged and provide reports to interested internal and external stakeholders.
• Maintains current understanding of Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rules and regulations on filing of shareholder resolutions to ensure compliance and to proactively identify and report issues with company filings to management.
• Supports shareholder advocacy team by participating in company dialogues and taking minutes as needed.
• Assists in providing support for the governance processes for the Social Responsibility Committee, including meeting agendas, minutes, preparation of reports and materials, and effective use of Directors Desk.
• Assists with the maintenance of the shareholder advocacy account to ensure engaged companies are appropriately held in the portfolio.
• Assists with auditing and compliance activities associated with the proxy voting program.
• Assists with compliance activities associated with the exclusionary screens, including review of periodic data analyses from third-party vendors and maintenance of appropriate databases.
• Assists with special projects in socially responsible investing, including shareholder advocacy.
• Assists in creating presentations and other communications on social responsibility and shareholder advocacy activities.
• Develops and maintains an archive of shareholder advocacy engagements and carries out record retention activities as described by the Mercy Investment Services’ record retention policy.
• Carries out responsibilities in accordance with Mercy Investment Services’ policies and applicable laws.
• Provides administrative and coordinating responsibilities as requested.
• Performs other duties as required.

Qualifications include:

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in related field.
• Strong background in management of information.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to execute tasks in a timely manner.
• Excellent computer skills, including internet research, databases, word processing, spreadsheets, database management software, email, and web and video conferencing.
• Ability to troubleshoot general technology issues with team members.
• Solid computer, software, and database skills with strong knowledge of Microsoft Office including Word, Excel and PowerPoint, and Adobe Acrobat.
• Effective writing, communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to synthesize complex information and communicate it in understandable terms to various audiences.
• Collaborative work style with an emphasis on support of team members.
• Ability to work independently, taking initiative to proactively and responsibly identify and address issues.
• Demonstrated sensitivity to and knowledge of cultural differences.
• Broad interest in the business and financial worlds.

Preferred

• Strong knowledge of SRI and ESG and/or social justice issues in a faith-based setting.
• Understanding of shareholder advocacy legal processes and compliance with legal requirements.
• Understanding and appreciation of the traditions and culture associated with the Sisters of Mercy.
• Familiarity with the Catholic Church structures and teachings.