Mercy Jobs in Kentucky (NOW HIRING)

Reports to: Vice President of Social Responsibility

Department: Social Responsibility

Employment: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Exempt

Launched in February 2010, Mercy Investment Services provides for the collective investment and professional management of the endowment and other investment funds of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas and their sponsored ministries, while working for a just and sustainable world and embraces socially responsible investing as a means of promoting systemic change, with emphasis in the areas of nonviolence, racism, environment, concern for women, and immigration. Our multifaceted socially responsible investing program includes shareholder advocacy engagement with companies, proxy voting, portfolio screening and impact investing (both community and market-rate investments). More information is available at www.mercyinvestmentservices.org.

Mercy Partnership Fund, the global community investing program of Mercy Investment Services, invests in mission-driven organizations and funds, with a focus on those that are working to alleviate poverty and protect the environment. These community investments are expected to preserve capital while earning less than market returns in exchange for their high social impact. Community investing has been a hallmark of the Sisters of Mercy since the 1970s. In 1995, the community investing program was renamed Mercy Partnership Fund, honoring the fund’s emphasis on collaborating with organizations to direct low-cost capital to people and communities around the world. Since its incorporation into Mercy Investment Services in 2010, the fund has continued to grow and expand the impact of its below market-rate investments in mission-driven organizations addressing affordable housing; financial inclusion; education; business, cooperative and nonprofit financing; community facilities; environmental sustainability; health care; healthy food; and sustainable agriculture. Today, Mercy Partnership Fund invests in more than 75 mission-driven organizations that deploy capital across 50 U.S. states and more than 70 countries, benefiting more than 96 million individuals around the world.

The Director is responsible for the management of Mercy Partnership Fund, including identifying investees; structuring, closing and monitoring investments (financial, social and environmental impacts); establishing effective relationships with multiple stakeholders; and supporting Mercy Investment Services in deploying its social impact capital in innovative ways that address the Critical Concerns of the Sisters of Mercy.

• Directs and manages Mercy Partnership Fund as guided by the Mercy Investment Services Social Responsibility Philosophy and Policy Statement and the Mercy Partnership Fund Operating Guidelines, and facilitates the work of the Mercy Partnership Fund Subcommittee responsible for governance oversight of the program.
• Prepares and presents an annual Mercy Partnership Fund plan, including an allocation plan to assure appropriate fund diversification and fund strategies for approval by the Mercy Partnership Fund Subcommittee and Social Responsibility Committee.
• Oversees the annual investee impact survey process and the creation of the Mercy Partnership Fund annual impact report. Improves the survey and reporting process periodically according to impact measurement and management best practices. Supervises the Impact and Loan Administration Manager to ensure effective administration of the Mercy Partnership Fund.
• Provides social and environmental impact and financial analyses and recommendations (including terms and conditions) for new and renewal investment proposals for governance review and approval as provided in the Social Responsibility Policy and Mercy Partnership Fund Operating Guidelines.
• Oversees all aspects of the investment process from identification of investees, underwriting, social/environmental impact assessment, structure of the investments and closing, and managing the portfolio to expected benchmarks of performance.
• Researches new areas of investment prospects to support achievement of the annual plan.
• Monitors portfolio performance regarding social/environmental impact and financial benchmarks, allocation goals, diversification (geographic and type) and risk.
• Monitors payments and reporting; maintains files; and assists finance department with month-end close and materials for annual audit.
• Proactively manages any delinquencies and reports to management and the Mercy Partnership Fund Subcommittee on recommended remedial actions, such as restructure and/or foreclosure.
• Identifies and manages the work of any external consultants chosen to assist with underwriting, social/environmental impact assessment, structure of the investments and closing.
• Recommends an annual budget for Mercy Partnership Fund operations for management review and approval.
• Researches and suggests policy and operating guideline recommendations and revisions.
• Reports at each regular meeting to the Mercy Partnership Fund Subcommittee and the Social Responsibility Committee and to the Board of Directors as required on the social and financial performance of the program, including a report on the program’s returns, benchmarks and the social and environmental impacts achieved.
• Tracks trends in community development finance and impact investing; develops and maintains strategic partnerships with prospective investees, community investing partners, and related mission-oriented organizations; and actively participates in national professional organizations advancing community investing. Informs and educates the Social Responsibility Committee, Mercy Partnership Fund Subcommittee, Board of Directors and staff on issues and practices of community investing as appropriate and/or requested.
• Supports the implementation of the community investment strategies and goals identified in the organization’s strategic plan.
• In collaboration with communications department, prepares materials for monthly newsletters, website, annual report and other publications as requested.
• Performs other duties as required.

Required

• Bachelor’s degree with studies in business, urban planning, community development and/or finance;
• At least 8 years of demonstrated track record with community development investing, real estate and community development finance and/or impact and financial analysis;
• Knowledge of community and economic development industries, both domestic and global;
• Proficiency in investment analysis, portfolio management, investment policy development, and performance analysis;
• Experience negotiating, reviewing and analyzing complex legal documents; attentive to strong internal control processes; and knowledge of legal, tax, and investment issues to ensure proper administration;
• End-to-end project management excellence from planning stages and achieving stakeholder buy-in to successful implementation;
• Commitment to socially responsible investing and, in particular, community investing, as a means of addressing social and environmental justice issues caused by the lack of access to capital;
• Knowledge of industry benchmarks for use in evaluating the viability of potential investment recipients; familiarity with impact data collection, monitoring and evaluation;
• Demonstrated personal integrity and a commitment to ethical principles together with a strong service and mission orientation, inherent compassion and sensitivity to issues of justice;
• Ability to work collaboratively and/or independently on multiple projects simultaneously and to prioritize responsibilities;
• Demonstrated ability to develop, maintain and strengthen partnerships with others inside and outside the organization to advance the mission of Mercy Investment Services and its community investment program;
• Demonstrated sensitivity to the diversity of institutions that Mercy Partnership Fund seeks to invest in, a deep appreciation of cultural differences, and attention to the impacts of decisions on other individuals and organizations;
• Skilled spokesperson, relationship builder, motivator for members of staff and governance and other stakeholders;
• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication and presentation skills;
• Solid computer skills with strong knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint;
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to execute tasks in a timely manner;
• Enthusiasm for hands-on leadership in all ways necessary to achieve the organization’s goals; and
• Flexibility to travel in order to attend meetings and handle the business of the organization.

Preferred

• Master’s degree in relevant field;
• Demonstrated ability to direct a best-in-class community investing program with a lean, experienced staffing model in a nonprofit or faith-based organization;
• Understanding and appreciation of the traditions and culture associated with the Sisters of Mercy; and
• Familiarity with the Catholic Church structures and teaching.