Economist, Forest and Natural Capital

Economist, Forest and Natural Capital

We are a leading financial services provider committed to making decisions easier and lives better for our customers and colleagues around the world. From our environmental initiatives to our community investments, we lead with values throughout our business. To help us stand out, we help you step up, because when colleagues are healthy, respected and meaningfully challenged, we all thrive. Discover how you can grow your career, make impact and drive real change with our Winning Team today.

Working Arrangement

Job Description

The opportunity

The Economist, Forest and Natural Capital will fill a critical role within the MIM TA Economic Research Team as we continue to grow the business alongside expanding investment opportunities in Natural Capital (timberland, farmland and nature-based climate solutions). We are seeking a highly motivated individual who can work well both independently and as part of a larger team, with experience in a deadline-oriented, results-driven environment with a continually evolving set of priorities, analyzing, and synthesizing economic and market data in the timberland and carbon credit sectors. As part of the economic research team, this role will support the generation and delivery of actionable analysis and market forecasts that incorporate the latest available information on supply, demand, prices, costs, and policy to help inform investment strategy.

This position will report to the Director, Forest Economics, and will have the opportunity for continued professional development and growth taking the lead on select timberland product and carbon market forecasts with direct exposure to the wider MIM TA investment platform.

The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of natural resource economic fundamentals and forest end-product markets, along with professional experience working in a multi-stakeholder, deadline-driven environment generating and delivering market analysis, research, and forecasts of natural resource commodity markets that incorporate the latest macroeconomic and market specific developments. Ability to demonstrate a detailed understanding and/or practical experience performing market and economic analysis, and research of forestry and timberland markets is required, additional experience performing similar analysis on carbon markets is preferred.

Key Responsibilities:

• Complete the economic research and analysis associated with the intersection of timberland and farmland with carbon markets, ESG and impact related investments including the completion of recurring market and price forecasts and assessing the impact of the latest policies, along with market specific, and macroeconomic developments
• Key point of contact for acquisitions, business development, and portfolio management and client services teams for timberland, carbon market, and climate risk related needs
• Effectively communicate the results of economic research on forest-related investments to internal and external partners via presentations, research papers and conversations
• Prepare succinct written reports and presentations on current market developments and forecast assumptions for timberland and carbon markets to be included in due diligence and investment documents, strategic memoranda and market reports
• Assist with the production of the recurring update of MIM TA timberland and carbon market indicators dashboard
• Lead, maintain, and utilize third-party data/information subscriptions related to forest and carbon markets
• Assist Director of Forest Economics in completing annual timberland and carbon Excel-based price forecast models
• Contribute to ad-hoc research projects across both timberland and farmland asset classes, especially as it relates to overlap with carbon markets
• Participate as an active member of an internal multi-functional carbon market strategy team
• Collaborate on in-depth research pertaining to new investment strategies, markets and geographies across the evolving natural capital landscape
• Support the evolution and growth of MIM TA product offerings and the deployment of client capital, through actively participating in research identifying, quantifying and documenting investment opportunities and competitive advantages in the timberland, farmland, and carbon investment space
• Attend and present at industry conferences and other relevant internal and external meetings

What we are looking for

• Graduate degree with concentrations in business, finance or economics, combined with studies in natural resources, forestry preferred.
• 3+ years of professional or academic experience conducting timberland and/or carbon market research and economic analysis
• High degree of self-motivation and ability to work both independently and collaboratively; comfort with ambiguity in problem-solving
• Working knowledge and experience with practical application of financial principles, and economic and statistical analysis
• Ability to think independently and develop new ideas from fruition to implementation, and to work collaboratively as part of a larger team
• Able to work through issues from high level to operational details
• Excellent research skills and ability to present analyses in a clear and concise manner (verbal and written) are essential functions for this position
• Must have strong presentation skills to represent MIM TA to clients and others in the external community
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with an ability to interact and build relationships with individuals at all levels of the organization and with external parties
• Strong organizational and project management skills commensurate with prioritizing, managing and completing multiple projects concurrently
• Proficiency using Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint and other relevant statistical software; experience using GIS preferred

What can we offer you?

• A competitive salary and benefits packages.
• A growth trajectory that extends upward and outward, encouraging you to follow your passions and learn new skills.
• A focus on growing your career path with us.
• Flexible work policies and strong work-life balance.
• Professional development and leadership opportunities.

Our commitment to you

• Values-first culture
  We lead with our Values every day and bring them to life together.
• Boundless opportunity
  We create opportunities to learn and grow at every stage of your career.
• Continuous innovation
  We invite you to help redefine the future of financial services.
• Delivering the promise of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
  We foster an inclusive workplace where everyone thrives.
• Championing Corporate Citizenship
  We build a business that benefits all stakeholders and has a positive social and environmental impact.

Salary & Benefits

The annual base salary for this role is listed below.

Primary Location

Boston, Massachusetts

Salary range is expected to be between

$89,000.00 USD - $141,000.00 USD

If you are applying for this role outside of the primary location, please contact for the salary range for your location. The actual salary will vary depending on local market conditions, geography and relevant job-related factors such as knowledge, skills, qualifications, experience, and education/training. Employees also have the opportunity to participate in incentive programs and earn incentive compensation tied to business and individual performance.

Manulife/John Hancock offers eligible employees a wide array of customizable benefits, including health, dental, mental health, vision, short- and long-term disability, life and AD&D insurance coverage, adoption/surrogacy and wellness benefits, and employee/family assistance plans. We also offer eligible employees various retirement savings plans (including pension/401(k) savings plans and a global share ownership plan with employer matching contributions) and financial education and counseling resources. Our generous paid time off program in the U.S. includes up to 11 paid holidays, 3 personal days, 150 hours of vacation, and 40 hours of sick time (or more where required by law) each year, and we offer the full range of statutory leaves of absence.

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