The Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation has created a new impact investment officer position -- an exciting opportunity for someone committed to using capital creatively to improve the lives of people of color and low-wealth communities. Reporting to the chief finance and operations officer, the impact investment officer will help reimagine, develop and drive innovative approaches to use capital and markets to support power building and racial justice in communities across the South.
Background
In 2020, the Foundation established racial equity goals and has begun a strategic process to center racial equity in all aspects of our work, organizational strategies, structure, culture, practices and investments. Our investment portfolio includes below-market program-related investments, which support our mission in the South, and market-rate investments, including environmental, social and governance factors, aligned with our values and adhering to the Investment Policy. The Foundation now seeks to embed racial equity into the investment strategy.
Responsibilities
Investment Management
- Ensure program-related and market-rate investments advance racial equity and the Foundation's strategic goals
- Source new investment opportunities
- Develop relationships with leaders in communities that have historically been denied access to capital
- Identify investment opportunities that shift power and capital to Black and brown communities and advance the Foundation's mission of moving people and places out of poverty
- Ensure alignment with racial equity goals and program strategy
- Manage relationships with MRBF’s investment advisors in partnership with the chief finance and operations officer
- Coordinate due diligence of potential investments with investment advisors
- Coordinate the investment approval process
- Manage operations of the investment portfolio, including:
- Closing documents
- Capital calls and distributions
- Amendments, extensions
- Monitor investment portfolio
- Attend annual meetings of fund managers
- Review quarterly investment reports
- Build relationships with borrowers where necessary
- Act as staff liaison to the investment committee in partnership with the chief finance and operations officer
- Develop agendas for bi-monthly meetings
- Prepare meeting materials
- Regularly report on the impact and financial returns to the investment committee, program team and board of directors
Learning and Influence
- Contribute to a shared environment of learning about racial equity and power building with the chief executive officer, chief strategy officer, chief equity officer and program team
- Share lessons learned from investment strategy with colleagues, investment committee and the broader field
- Support larger influence strategy to shift asset allocators' behaviors and investment approaches in the philanthropic and impact investing field in applying a racial equity lens to investment strategy
- Contribute to external Foundation communications in service of our mission, influence and transparency goals, in collaboration with the communications director
Strategic Evolution
- Participate in strategic planning with internal leadership and investment committee to revise and update investment policies, practices and goals
- Draw from lessons learned to evolve the strategy to have the most significant impact in communities
Qualifications and Experience
- Five or more years of professional experience and expertise in community development finance, private equity, venture capital, impact investing and/or alternative investment approaches
- Exposure or experience in conducting due diligence, as well as structuring, underwriting and closing transactions
- Experience managing and administering systems and processes related to investment portfolio management and reporting
- Track record of building relationships and fostering collaboration among diverse people to accomplish goals
- Personal commitment to race and gender equity that is evidenced by respect for the dignity and abilities of all people
- Deep knowledge of the Southern United States and its diverse communities
- Ability to travel
Competencies and Attributes
- A demonstrated commitment to the Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation's mission, vision and values
- Strong strategic and analytical skills, combined with a high level of organization and attention to detail
- Superior interpersonal skills, including the ability to manage and work in teams and interact constructively with diverse constituents
- Strong communication skills, including excellent presentation skills
- Demonstrated ability to synthesize and communicate complex issues
- Technology savvy with the capability to learn new tools quickly
- Collegial decision-making, coupled with an ability to work independently, flexibly and with good humor
- Intellectual curiosity, creative problem-solving ability and sound judgment
Compensation and Culture
The target salary range for this position is $130,000 to $141,000, commensurate with training and experience. The Foundation offers generous benefits, including retirement contributions, and health and dental coverage.
The Foundation recently transitioned to a fully remote operating environment, enabling team members to work from anywhere in our 11-state footprint, which includes Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. MRBF provides employees with resources to establish a home office.
The Foundation works to foster an equitable, inclusive, and supportive environment where all staff can thrive. The team pays careful attention to organizational culture, devoting time to reflection and relationship building, and closes for two weeks annually to enable team members to recharge without using vacation days.
We welcome candidates of all backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences to apply for this opportunity. To apply, please submit a resume and cover letter to Lisa Fisher, Principal at Fisher Associates, 301-273-7074.
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