Chief Investment Officer

The Church Commissioners support the Church of England’s ministry, particularly in areas of need and opportunity. We do this through responsible and ethical management of a diverse investment portfolio which enables us to grow our support for the Church, by helping to ensure funding is intentionally used for mission and growth, by managing our costs effectively, and by embracing our principles of accountability and service.

An outstanding opportunity to provide strategic leadership and management of the Church Commissioners’ global, diversified, multi-asset £10billion portfolio and its strong and successful Investments team; with the dual objectives of delivering strong returns so that the Church Commissioners can maximize its sustainable long-term funding support to the Church of England and be at the forefront of responsible investment globally.

The successful applicant will be a proven leader whilst also a low-ego team player, able to nurture a strong values-based Investments team culture and adept in working with a complex network of internal and external relationships, trusted to act as a public-facing voice of the Church Commissioners.

The role will have responsibility for:

• Driving the development and execution of strategic plans that align with the mission, ethos and long-term vision of the Church Commissioners, working in collaboration with the Church Commissioners’ Chief Executive and wider leadership team.
• Overseeing the investment strategy and management of the multi-asset portfolio to deliver long-term sustainable investment returns aligned with the responsible investment policy.
• Visibly leading and managing the Investments teams, supporting the development of talent.
• Building, maintaining and developing relationships with key stakeholders across the Church Commissioners and the wider Church of England.
• Acting as an effective representative of the Church Commissioners on the global stage.

Experience:

• Minimum of 10 to 15 years’ experience investing in public or private markets (or both) with a demonstrable strong investment performance track record.
• A respected investor capable of leading and representing the Church Commissioners’ endowment fund, with a strong, deep network of industry contacts to assist in thought leadership and investment idea sourcing.
• Experienced team leader, capable of effective team building and succession planning.
• Experience of, and commitment to, responsible investment best practice.
• Strong communicator, able to flex their style to engage with a variety of stakeholders.

Skills:

• Philosophical alignment with Church Commissioners’ approach to managing multi-asset investment portfolios.
• Credible influencer skilled in managing complex, senior stakeholder groups.
• Clear, persuasive and confident communicator, in person and in writing.
• Self-motivated, proactive and results orientated.
• Operates with discretion and integrity – a respected ambassador for the Church Commissioners.
• Sensitive to the reputation and responsibilities of the Church Commissioners, and its place within the wider Church of England, cognisant of ethical and reputational risk.
• In sympathy with the work of the Church of England, which seeks to reach and serve every community in England.

Please contact CIO@davidbarrettpartners.com to discuss this exciting role and unique opportunity in more detail.  Also visit this website for more information: churchofengland.org/chief-investment-officer