Internship - Governance Account Management Support (French or German speaking)

Count yourself in.

Enter a world of corporate governance and responsible investment and jumpstart your career by gaining exposure to the fundamental affairs of businesses and economies on a global scale.

Why work for ISS?

Founded in 1985, the Institutional Shareholder Services group of companies (“ISS”) empowers investors and companies to build for long-term and sustainable growth by providing high-quality data, analytics, and insight. With nearly 2,000 employees spread across 30 U.S. and international locations, ISS is today the world’s leading provider of corporate governance and responsible investment solutions, market intelligence and fund services, and events and editorial content for institutional investors and corporations, globally.

The ISS Way

At ISS, our values are not as much imposed as they are inspired. We talk about ideals in terms of how it brings our people together in a culture that upholds the interests of our colleagues, shareholders and clients. Everyone at ISS is a champion of Integrity, Collaboration, Empowerment, Flexibility, Diversity and Client Service. When you join ISS, you are expected to exemplify these Values in a manner that informs your actions and aspirations in the workplace.

What’s in it for you?

• Enter the world of corporate governance and responsible investment and gain an understanding of relevant technical terminology
• Receive in-depth training in the latest developments in corporate governance to fulfill your career aspirations.
• Expand your know-how in the corporate governance industry and contribute significantly to our client work and knowledge building.
• Work in a flexible and diversified environment.
• Perform in a workplace of integrity and transparency.

Job details:

Out of our ISS office in Brussels, the Client Service & Consultants team provides a single, turnkey solution to managing proxy distribution for custodian banks, an integrated proxy research and a voting solution for institutional investor clients, as well as a meeting representation service to Belgian and Dutch companies’ general meetings. We are seeking talented and self-motivated interns to provide operational the GPD Brussels Client Service & Consultants team during the peak European ‘’proxy voting season’’, i.e. when most listed companies convene their annual shareholder meetings. Proxy Season brings a fast paced, challenging working environment, so this position will suit a candidate who is a quick learner, organized and motivated to work to tight deadlines.

If you are looking for a first client facing experience in an international working environment, want to learn more about corporate governance and the financial industry and wish to develop your communication, organizational and networking skills, this internship is meant for you! You will have the chance to participate in internal trainings, profit from the guidance of experienced colleagues throughout the entire internship period and be involved in diverse team tasks.

Responsibilities:

• Preparation and follow-up on tasks related to the vote execution in Belgium and the Netherlands (e.g. identify upcoming general meetings of companies, provide all necessary information and material to clients, complete the meeting material),
• Process registrations with companies and agent banks for participating in general meetings,
• Take active ownership of operational support for clients, including ballot and vote management, account maintenance, and vote report production
• Follow-up on the successful vote execution with the clients,
• Manage regular direct contact (email and phone) with issuing companies, agent banks and clients,
• Deal with routine tasks, such as creating/inactivating accounts in our voting platform, creating/inactivating users to grant clients an access to our voting platform, support clients with basic queries/issues and investigate issues with internal teams to provide appropriate solutions/answers to clients,
• Support the team in maintaining up-to-date procedures, databases, and client profiles regularly,

Desired qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent; we gladly support candidacies related to the completion of internships within study programs
• Language skills: very good command of English, as well as full proficiency in FrenchOR German
• Strong communication and writing skills
• Solid Microsoft Office skills (including Excel, Word, Outlook, Internet Explorer)
• Quick learner; ability to assimilate new information with attention to detail
• Organized and structured mind to deal with large quantities of work and strict deadlines
• Ability to work independently while being an enthusiastic team player
• Client focus and skill to communicate effectively with clients and partners
• Interest in corporate governance, experience acquired through previous internships or traineeships seen as an advantage, however this is not a requirement.

This internship is remunerated (€ 1,840 gross monthly + additional benefits) and will start asap until the end of June 2022.

Working conditions:

• Interns are required to be based in the country of employment as of Day 1 of their internship with ISS.
• Depending on the status of our return to office plans Interns may start with remote working, but there is potential for return to the office. It is preferable that candidates are located commuting distance to the office from Day 1.

Applicants should apply online by sending a CV in English along with a one-page cover letter. The cover letter should explain why you are interested in corporate governance, in joining ISS and why you are suitable for the role. Applications without a cover letter won’t be taken into further consideration.

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