Research Analyst, ESG Controversy Analysis

Join S&P Global Sustainable1 as a Jr. Research Specialist in the Controversy Analysis Team. This role involves monitoring and analyzing media coverage of corporate ESG controversies and risks, utilizing MSA's proprietary methodology to assess their impact on company reputation, operations, and stakeholders. You will write narratives of controversies, conduct thematic reviews, and collaborate on quality controls, directly informing S&P’s Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA) scoring methodology. The position offers exposure to diverse sustainability issues and a multidisciplinary, international team.

Must Have

• Monitor and analyze media coverage of corporate ESG controversies and risks.
• Utilize MSA's proprietary methodology for controversy assessment.
• Evaluate potential impact on company reputation, operations, and stakeholders.
• Write well-prepared narratives of controversies.
• Execute special thematic reviews.
• Collaborate on quality controls within the MSA process.
• 2 years of experience in ESG research, ESG ratings, corporate sustainability, or reputational risk management.
• Strong research skills with emphasis on fact-based insights and analysis.
• Ability to write accurate assessments aligned with standardized methodology.
• Effective reading skills for daily news.
• Fluency in English, both written and spoken.
• Effective critical and analytical thinking.
• Collaborative attitude.

Good to Have

• Advanced degree in a related field.
• Proficiency in additional languages.
• Technical skills to support internal systems and AI initiatives.

Perks & Benefits

• Health & Wellness care coverage designed for the mind and body.
• Flexible Downtime: Generous time off helps keep you energized for your time on.
• Continuous Learning: Access a wealth of resources to grow your career and learn valuable new skills.
• Invest in Your Future: Secure your financial future through competitive pay, retirement planning, a continuing education program with a company-matched student loan contribution, and financial wellness programs.
• Family Friendly Perks: It’s not just about you. S&P Global has perks for your partners and little ones, too, with some best-in class benefits for families.
• Beyond the Basics: From retail discounts to referral incentive awards—small perks can make a big difference.

About the Role:

Grade Level (for internal use): 07

The Role: Research Analyst, ESG Controversy Analysis

The Team:

Join S&P Global Sustainable1, your go-to source for essential sustainability intelligence, as we seek a Jr. Research Specialist to enhance our Controversy Analysis Team (widely known as S&P’s Media & Stakeholder Analysis (MSA)). This position offers direct exposure to a wide range of sustainability issues across different industries, as well as to our scoring methodology. We are an international team, composed of multidisciplinary professionals dedicated to analyzing sustainability risks. We foster a casual, friendly atmosphere characterized by an entrepreneurial spirit. As a collaborative team member, you will enrich the unique culture and energy of our department as it continues to evolve.

The Impact:

You will play a pivotal role in delivering high-quality analyses of corporate ESG controversies, which directly inform the scoring methodology of S&P’s Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA). You will also be instrumental in upholding the highest standards in the application of our guidelines, while overseeing assessments and contributing to key projects.

Your Responsibilities:

• Monitor and conduct comprehensive analysis of media coverage and news reports related to corporate ESG controversies and risks.
• Utilize MSA's proprietary methodology to create a robust assessment of controversies, evaluating their potential impact on the company’s reputation or operations, as well as on affected stakeholders.
• Write a well-prepared narrative of the controversies, providing relevant details that will be exposed to internal and external stakeholders.
• Execute special thematic reviews focused on specific sectors, risks, or jurisdictions.
• Collaborate with the different layers of quality controls within the MSA process.

Basic Qualifications:

• Academic Qualifications – Bachelor’s/Master’s degree or equivalent; an advanced degree in a related field is welcome.
• 2 years of experience in ESG research, ESG ratings, corporate sustainability, or reputational risk management
• Strong research skills with an emphasis on fact-based insights and analysis. This includes the ability to write well-prepared research and accurate assessments aligned with a standardized proprietary methodology.
• Effective reading skills to consume and process daily news.
• Fluency in English, both written and spoken; proficiency in additional languages is a plus.
• Effective critical and analytical thinking.
• Collaborative attitude across different locations and willingness to contribute to initiatives aimed at enhancing our ESG product
• Technical skills to support the development of our internal systems and artificial intelligence initiatives, is a plus.

About Sustainable 1

S&P Global’s centralized source for sustainability intelligence, Sustainable1 offers comprehensive coverage of global markets combined with sustainability products, insights and solutions from across our divisions to help customers assess risks, uncover opportunities and inform long-term sustainable growth. Companies, governments and institutions worldwide look to us for in-depth data, and well-informed points of view on critical topics like energy transition, climate resilience, positive impact, and sustainable finance. The breadth and depth of our knowledge and experience go deep on the details that define the big picture so customers can act with conviction.

For more information, visit www.spglobal.com/sustainable1

What’s In It For You?

Our Mission:

Advancing Essential Intelligence.

Our People:

We're more than 35,000 strong worldwide—so we're able to understand nuances while having a broad perspective. Our team is driven by curiosity and a shared belief that Essential Intelligence can help build a more prosperous future for us all.From finding new ways to measure sustainability to analyzing energy transition across the supply chain to building workflow solutions that make it easy to tap into insight and apply it. We are changing the way people see things and empowering them to make an impact on the world we live in. We’re committed to a more equitable future and to helping our customers find new, sustainable ways of doing business. Join us and help create the critical insights that truly make a difference.

Our Values:

Integrity, Discovery, Partnership

Throughout our history, the world's leading organizations have relied on us for the Essential Intelligence they need to make confident decisions about the road ahead. We start with a foundation of integrity in all we do, bring a spirit of discovery to our work, and collaborate in close partnership with each other and our customers to achieve shared goals.

Benefits:

We take care of you, so you can take care of business. We care about our people. That’s why we provide everything you—and your career—need to thrive at S&P Global.

Our benefits include:

• Health & Wellness: Health care coverage designed for the mind and body.
• Flexible Downtime: Generous time off helps keep you energized for your time on.
• Continuous Learning: Access a wealth of resources to grow your career and learn valuable new skills.
• Invest in Your Future: Secure your financial future through competitive pay, retirement planning, a continuing education program with a company-matched student loan contribution, and financial wellness programs.
• Family Friendly Perks: It’s not just about you. S&P Global has perks for your partners and little ones, too, with some best-in class benefits for families.
• Beyond the Basics: From retail discounts to referral incentive awards—small perks can make a big difference.

For more information on benefits by country visit: https://spgbenefits.com/benefit-summaries

Global Hiring and Opportunity at S&P Global:

At S&P Global, we are committed to fostering a connected and engaged workplace where all individuals have access to opportunities based on their skills, experience, and contributions. Our hiring practices emphasize fairness, transparency, and merit, ensuring that we attract and retain top talent. By valuing different perspectives and promoting a culture of respect and collaboration, we drive innovation and power global markets.

S&P Global has a Securities Disclosure and Trading Policy (“the Policy”) that seeks to mitigate conflicts of interest by monitoring and placing restrictions on personal securities holding and trading. The Policy is designed to promote compliance with global regulations. In some Divisions, pursuant to the Policy’s requirements, candidates at S&P Global may be asked to disclose securities holdings. Some roles may include a trading prohibition and remediation of positions when there is an effective or potential conflict of interest. Employment at S&P Global is contingent upon compliance with the Policy.

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Equal Opportunity Employer

S&P Global is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race/ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, marital status, military veteran status, unemployment status, or any other status protected by law. Only electronic job submissions will be considered for employment.

If you need an accommodation during the application process due to a disability, please send an email to: EEO.Compliance@spglobal.com and your request will be forwarded to the appropriate person.

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