This newly created role will be responsible for managing the BVCA’s policy work on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (DEI) alongside other sustainability policy files such as Impact Investment. The role will require engagement with government, regulators, members, other Trade Associations and stakeholders. The role will involve strengthening key relationships/partnerships already in place with organisations such as Level 20, signatories to the Investing in Women Code (focussing on DEI) and with the Impacting Investing Institute and City of London Corporation (for impact Investment). Working with the senior leadership team and relevant heads of departments you will be responsible for helping to shape and build on the BVCA’s DEI strategy as well as manage and build out the BVCA’s DEI and Impact Investing policy work within the sustainability team.
A key part of your role will be engaging with regulators, government officials, other trade associations and industry players and members and responding to government consultations as well as working internally with the BVCA’s Research team on their DEI related research publications. The increasing importance of the subject matter to our members and Government as well as its cross-cutting nature will require an ability to think innovatively and work collaboratively and effectively with both internal and external stakeholders. It will also require an ability to communicate well to help raise the profile of key issues, both internally and externally - all of which are skills aligned with BVCA’s core values and how we work.

REQUIREMENTS

• Prior experience/understanding of DEI and Sustainability or Impact related matters, preferably within the finance sector.
• Preferably some prior experience in a policy related role or ability to show translatable skills.
• Strong interpersonal and networking skills: the ability to build relationships, understand industry issues, articulate these, empathise with all parties and provide pragmatic solutions. This is particularly important given the nature of the subject matter.
• Excellent writing and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate well and liaise with senior executives from our member firms and other stakeholders.
• Strong ability to collaborate effectively and smoothly with junior and senior team members and other BVCA departments.
• Strong ability to manage time effectively and prioritise work well.

• Play a key role in helping to influence the BVCA’s DEI strategy, helping to shape both our policy and wider engagement and leadership work in this area.
• Manage and build upon our impact investing policy work, helping to scale and mainstream this approach to investing via showing the value and role it can play with the Governments growth objectives.
• Work in partnership with the wider BVCA, in particular the External Affairs, Research and Events teams to develop and communicate the industry story around DEI and impact investing and the public and social value this creates to the UK.
• Play a key role within the BVCA to engage and work with Government and Regulators to help shape and influence DEI, Sustainability and Impact policy matters relevant to our members and needs.
• Engage with members across the private capital ecosystem (venture, growth, larger private equity and private credit) to better understand their impact investing and DEI approaches and priority areas for support.
• Engage with relevant industry-led initiatives such as Level 20 and the Investing in Woman Code to ensure we are aware of what is being discussed and developed and able to partner/support and raise awareness where applicable.
• Consider both best practice approaches and broader accountability within DEI.
• Shape progressive but proportionate policy development and wider advocacy.
• Monitor regulatory developments to ensure the BVCA team is kept abreast of incoming regulation, consultations, etc.
• Monitor global and local trends, language and themes relating to DEI at large.