Focus of this role:Value and impact in the start-up ecosystem is driven through the entrepreneurs building the businesses of tomorrow. And yet, we continue to struggle to deploy a robust and consistent approach to ESG within these venture-backed businesses. For example, only 21% of start-ups analysed by VentureESG regularly consider sustainability on the board agenda. We have made substantial progress in engaging and training investors to integrate ESG into their processes. We are now placing greater focus on embedding ESG standards into portfolio companies. This project will provide knowledge-building programmes, resources, tools, andevents that offer practical support to startups on the issues that matter most to their future growth.The research fellow will help create and run our new Portfolio programme:● Play a lead role in the creation of fit-for-purpose content for startup founders and their leadership teams● Conduct desk- and interview-based research on ESG practices of VC-backed portfolio companies● Develop case studies and tools to support the embedding of sustainability at portfolio level● Provide administrative, event and project management support● Support the scoping of future research projects and initiativesRole requirements:● Excellent understanding of how startups operate and the priorities, challenges and trade-offs they face at growth stage● Experience working in-house in start-ups in a commercial or content creation role (not just social media / marketing)● Demonstrable interest in sustainability or ESG.● You have played a leading role in designing and or leading workshops in previous roles● You have (qualitative) research experience, ideally working with venture-backed SMEs or micro businesses, or another kind of expert community.● You’re willing to work with a high level of autonomy, such as to take the initiative and feel confident in proactively engaging our startup community and stakeholders.● You are organised and a structured thinker, used to facilitating and supporting a high degree of coordination and collaboration (working closely with the co-heads who also work part time)● Your English-language communication skills - written and verbal - are strong.● You are based in the UK and have the right to work in the UK.Note, this is not a role working with VCs.To apply:Please send a short cover email and your CV to <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="mailto:hello@ventureesg.com">hello@ventureesg.com</a>. Please indicate any planned holidays.Deadline: Preference will be given to candidates available to start by end July 2025.We welcome applications from any background; we actively seek to reach a diverse pool of candidates and are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that potential employees may need to in order to be successful. We recognise the importance of a good balance between work and home life, so we do everything we can to accommodate flexible working, including working fromhome, compressed hours and other arrangements. Please just let us know in your application or at any stage throughout the process (and beyond) if these are options you’d like to explore.

VentureESG is a London-based not-for-profit organisation working with 500+ VC funds and 100+ LPs and asset owners, globally, on meaningful ESG integration across the VC value chain. We raise awareness of responsible investing and ESG principles through our training, our research work, our events, and our creation of fit-for-purpose tools and resources. We punch way above our weight!Since 2021, we have run training and knowledge-building programmes specifically tailored to the venture capital industry, supporting more than 1250 participants globally, from over 800 organisations in over 50 countries across 25+ sectors.

Portfolio Programme Fellow

Focus of this role:Value and impact in the start-up ecosystem is driven through the entrepreneurs building the businesses of tomorrow. And yet, we continue to struggle to deploy a robust and consistent approach to ESG within these venture-backed businesses. For example, only 21% of start-ups analysed by VentureESG regularly consider sustainability on the board agenda. We have made substantial progress in engaging and training investors to integrate ESG into their processes. We are now placing greater focus on embedding ESG standards into portfolio companies. This project will provide knowledge-building programmes, resources, tools, andevents that offer practical support to startups on the issues that matter most to their future growth.The research fellow will help create and run our new Portfolio programme:● Play a lead role in the creation of fit-for-purpose content for startup founders and their leadership teams● Conduct desk- and interview-based research on ESG practices of VC-backed portfolio companies● Develop case studies and tools to support the embedding of sustainability at portfolio level● Provide administrative, event and project management support● Support the scoping of future research projects and initiativesRole requirements:● Excellent understanding of how startups operate and the priorities, challenges and trade-offs they face at growth stage● Experience working in-house in start-ups in a commercial or content creation role (not just social media / marketing)● Demonstrable interest in sustainability or ESG.● You have played a leading role in designing and or leading workshops in previous roles● You have (qualitative) research experience, ideally working with venture-backed SMEs or micro businesses, or another kind of expert community.● You’re willing to work with a high level of autonomy, such as to take the initiative and feel confident in proactively engaging our startup community and stakeholders.● You are organised and a structured thinker, used to facilitating and supporting a high degree of coordination and collaboration (working closely with the co-heads who also work part time)● Your English-language communication skills - written and verbal - are strong.● You are based in the UK and have the right to work in the UK.Note, this is not a role working with VCs.To apply:Please send a short cover email and your CV to <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="mailto:hello@ventureesg.com">hello@ventureesg.com</a>. Please indicate any planned holidays.Deadline: Preference will be given to candidates available to start by end July 2025.We welcome applications from any background; we actively seek to reach a diverse pool of candidates and are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that potential employees may need to in order to be successful. We recognise the importance of a good balance between work and home life, so we do everything we can to accommodate flexible working, including working fromhome, compressed hours and other arrangements. Please just let us know in your application or at any stage throughout the process (and beyond) if these are options you’d like to explore.

Portfolio Programme Fellow

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VentureESG

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