International Affairs Manager
International Affairs Manager
The Investment Association
London or Brussels
About the Investment Association
“At the IA, we are committed to serving our members, embracing new ideas and striving for excellence. We are inclusive, considerate and act with integrity in all we do.” The IA champions the UK-based investment management industry, supporting savers, investors and businesses in the UK, across Europe, and around the world. Our 253 members manage £9.4 trillion of assets, and the investment management industry supports 113,000 jobs across the UK.
Our mission is to make investment better. Better for clients, so they achieve their financial goals. Better for companies, so they get the capital they need to grow. And better for the economy and society, so everyone prospers.
The money our members manage is in a wide variety of investment vehicles including authorised investment funds, pension funds and stocks and shares ISAs. 75% of UK households now use the services of our members. The UK is the second largest investment management centre in the world, after the US and manages over a third (37%) of all assets managed in Europe.
The IA seeks to be a world-class, values-driven trade association committed to being at the forefront of industry innovation, supporting members’ businesses, by delivering a positive policy and business environment for firms. Close engagement with international policymakers and standard setters is essential in achieving this.
Overview of the role
The Investment Association is recruiting an International Affairs Manager to support our advocacy work with global and regional policymakers. They will be at the forefront of our work with international setters, whilst also supporting our work with key regional institutions and other like-minded organisations to support the growth of our industry.
Main duties
- Support the Head of European and International Affairs with the development, and execution of, the IA’s international affairs activity, working with staff and members to ensure the approach to the IA’s advocacy efforts outside of the UK is consistent with the IA’s wider strategy for the industry;
- Build networks and gather intel and insight with global standard setters like the International Organisation of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) and the Financial Stability Board (FSB), supporting IA staff and members in their engagement by organising meetings, preparing collateral, and providing analysis on new proposals;
- Manage interactions and identify opportunities for collaboration with other like minded trade associations and other stakeholders beyond the UK, including the International Investment Fund Association (IIFA), the Investment Company Institute (ICI), and the Asian Securities and Investment Funds Association (ASIFMA);
- Identify key policy, economic, and geopolitical issues that represent threats and opportunities for the IA and its members and implement plans to ensure that the industry’s reputation and license to operate are protected and enhanced. Help to shape the investment management industry’s narrative, and produce advocacy materials that creatively and compellingly explain our industry’s value;
- Provide additional support to the IA’s European Affairs team with advocacy inside the EU as necessary, including, for example, providing advice on the EU/US relationship to the approach taken by EU authorities on global policy issues.
Skills and Attributes
- Experience working with either international or regional bodies, with a preference for expertise either within financial services or within a membership-based organisation;
- A clear understanding of the main regulatory issues being discussed at the international level and how trade associations can influence this debate;
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to quickly digest and comprehend complex regulatory issues, and identify key trends and provide analysis on how they may impact the sector;
- Strong people skills and ability to build relationships with policymakers, politicians, and other stakeholders whilst acting as an ambassador for the IA.
We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of their ethnicity, race, gender, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, age, marital status or whether or not they have a disability. This role may be based in either London or Brussels, with a requirement to undertake regular travel.
Please apply sending your CV and cover letter to Montse.Santa-Olalla@theia.org.
