Trainee, Sustainable Finance & Impact Advisory (fixed-term)

Description of Department

The Sustainable & Impact Advisory team supports leading corporates, financial institutions and financial sponsors in navigating the transition to a more sustainable economy. Covering EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa), the team advises clients on sustainable finance solutions and engages with them on a broad range of sustainability topics.

As a Trainee, you will join a dynamic team at the forefront of sustainable finance and gain hands-on exposure supporting the origination and execution of sustainable finance transactions and advisory assignments, as well as exposure to emerging sustainability themes shaping global capital markets.

This role offers a unique opportunity to develop expertise in sustainability, ESG and sustainable finance while gaining valuable experience within an international investment banking environment.

All roles at Société Générale CIB are expected to demonstrate a strong commitment to effective risk assessment and management, sound judgement, and speaking up when noticing behaviours or outcomes creating unintended risk. You will be expected to operate with integrity, manage risk proactively in day-to-day activities, log and escalate issues promptly and constructively, and contribute to a culture of continuous improvement and self-accountability.

Purpose of the Role

The successful candidate will support the Sustainable & Impact Advisory team in the development of sustainable finance pitches and mandates, strategic client engagements, sustainability research, market intelligence and business development initiatives, while gaining exposure to a broad range of sustainability-related topics and transactions. This role is designed for a highly motivated individual who is eager to develop technical expertise, commercial awareness and advisory skills in one of the fastest-growing areas of financial services.

Key Responsibilities

• Sustainable Finance & Client Engagement

• Support the team in the origination and execution of sustainable finance mandates, including Green, Social and Sustainability-Linked Loans, as well in the preparation of strategic client engagements, by:

• Conducting company, sector and market analysis to support transaction origination and client discussions

• Performing sustainability assessments and benchmarking exercises across clients and relevant peer groups

• Contribute to the preparation of pitch books, client presentations, commercial proposals and other marketing materials

• Contributing to the structuring of labelled instruments, including the preparation of sustainability frameworks, second-party opinion processes and transaction-related documentation

• Supporting the preparation of strategic client engagements and commercial proposals, including relevant analysis and presentation materials

Research & Thought Leadership:

• Conduct research on emerging sustainability trends, sustainability-related data, evolving ESG regulations and sustainable finance market developments to generate relevant insights for the team and clients

• Contribute to the preparation of thought leadership materials, market updates and newsletters to support knowledge-sharing across the wider business

• Support the development of internal training materials and sustainability-related initiatives

Team & Project Support:

• Work collaboratively with coverage teams and financing and sector teams across multiple jurisdictions with a focus in the UK

• Participate in internal project work and strategic initiatives led by the Sustainable & Impact Advisory team.

• Maintain high standards of accuracy, organisation and attention to detail across all deliverables.

What You Will Gain

Through this role, you will:

• Develop a strong understanding of sustainable finance markets, ESG frameworks and evolving regulatory landscape

• Gain practical exposure to sustainable finance transactions and strategic client engagements

• Build experience working on live client projects alongside experienced sustainable finance professionals

• Collaborate with colleagues across investment banking, financing, product and industry teams in an international environment

• Strengthen your analytical, presentation and stakeholder management skills.

• Develop expertise in one of the most dynamic and rapidly evolving areas of the financial services

Delegated responsibilities:

• Comply with all Risk and regulatory obligations where relevant

• Responsibility to act within agreed risk limit (credit/market, etc...)

• Responsibility for ensuring that you are fully aware of and adhere to Societe Generale’s internal policies and other mandatory normative documentation (e.g. policies, procedures, minimum standards, etc) (MND) that apply or relate to you, your business or other businesses for which you have any level of responsibility

• Further to the above and more specifically in relation to conduct, responsibility for reading, understanding and complying with SG’s Group Code of Conduct, your UK entity’s Behavioural Code (located in the relevant Staff Handbook), any conduct-related provisions in all applicable MND and corresponding regulations and standards. You will generally be notified of changes to policies through announcements and/or intranet updates.

What we're looking for

We're interested in talented individuals who are eager to learn and excited by the role sustainability is playing in the future of financial markets.

You'll likely bring:

• A Masters degree or equivalent in Finance, Economics, Business, Sustainability, Environmental Studies, Engineering or a related discipline.
• A demonstrable interest in sustainability, ESG and sustainable finance.
• Strong analytical, research and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint skills.
• A collaborative, proactive and intellectually curious approach.

Skills, Knowledge & Experience

Education:

• Master's degree (or equivalent) in Finance, Economics, Business, Environmental Studies, Engineering, Sustainability or a related discipline.

Experience & Interest:

• Demonstrable interest in sustainability, ESG and sustainable finance.

• Previous internship or relevant experience in investment banking, financial services, consulting, sustainability, ESG or a related field would be advantageous.

• Understanding of ESG concepts, sustainability trends and sustainable finance products would be desirable.

• Strong interest in financial markets and the role of finance in supporting the sustainability transition.

Technical & Analytical Skills:

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess complex information and draw clear and well-structured conclusions.

• Strong quantitative and research skills.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint.

• Ability to work with large volumes of information while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.

Communication & Personal Attributes:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively within in a collaborative and international environment.

• Intellectual curiosity and enthusiasm for sustainability-related topics.

• Proactive, organised and able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

• Strong work ethic, reliability and commitment to delivering high-quality work.

• Fluent English required; proficiency in French would be an advantage

Core Competencies:

• Passion for sustainability and sustainable finance.

• Commercial awareness and interest in global financial markets.

• Strong analytical thinking and attention to detail.

• Effective communication and presentation skills.

• Teamwork and collaboration.

• Initiative and willingness to learn.

• Adaptability and resilience.

• Professionalism and integrity.

• Demonstrated risk mindset: proactive identification and escalation of risk, sound judgement under pressure, and willingness to speak up and challenge constructively

• Demonstrate a strong risk culture by balancing commercial objectives with sound judgment and client outcomes

Why Join Us?

This is an exceptional opportunity for a early-career professional to join a specialist advisory team operating at the intersection of finance, sustainability and impact. You will gain exposure to high-profile transactions, work alongside experienced professionals across international markets and develop expertise in a field that is increasingly shaping the future of global banking.

If you are passionate about sustainability, eager to learn and looking to start your career in a role that combines purpose with commercial impact, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply now to begin your journey in Sustainable & Impact Advisory.

People join for the impact they can have on us. They stay for the impact we have on them. A flatter structure offers visibility and exposure beyond that of our competitors, so you know our names, and we know yours. It's personable, human, and inspires success through passion. By encouraging open mindedness and a willingness to share ideas, we have adapted to market changes and thrived through innovation. Bringing words like “hard work” and “dedication” together with “community” and “respect” has enabled us to work collaboratively and build our future together. We call this Team Spirit and it's what makes us different. It's what makes you different.

If you feel you have the required experience and qualifications, then please apply to the SG Resourcing Team, and we will manage your application. At Société Générale, we believe our people are our strength and are core to the success of our business. As such, we search for, recruit and appoint the best available person on the basis of aptitude and ability, regardless of sex, marital or civil partnership status, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, pregnancy, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion, belief or gender identity.