What are the responsibilities and job description for the Impact Management & Communications Specialist position at Laird Norton Wetherby?
LOCATION: SEATTLE, WA
Laird Norton Wetherby (LNW) is seeking a full-time Impact Management & Communications Specialist to join our team.
Nature of the Role
We are seeking a strategic, data-driven impact professional who combines subject matter expertise with strong communication and collaboration skills. While this role reports to the Chief Impact Officer, you will also partner with others across the firm including the Chief Investment Officer, Investment Analysts, Portfolio Management & Investment Committee, Marketing & Communications, Business Development teams as well as our clients and internal client facing professionals.
Impact measurement, management and reporting (IMM) is a key aspect of our work and the value we deliver to clients. This cross-functional role combines impact management, measurement and reporting; strategic client communications; client education; and data operations. You will support our day-to-day IMM work and lead the development of tailored impact reports, manage impact data systems, synthesize complex datasets into compelling narratives, and support the firm's thought leadership in impact investing. You'll be instrumental in helping clients understand both the financial and impact outcomes of their portfolios, while advancing the firm's reputation as a leader in the field.
Your Role and Responsibilities & Skills and Attributes
Impact Data Collection, Analysis and Management (35%)
- Develop strategic vision for evolving the firm's impact measurement and management (IMM) approach and classification framework
- Coordinate collection, management, and analysis of fund manager impact data (quantitative and qualitative) leveraging AI wherever possible
- Manage annual manager impact survey process, analyze trends, and deliver data-driven insights leveraging AI wherever possible
- Lead efforts to assess, engage with and measure progress over time of fund managers across impact dimensions
- Monitor impact and impact risks during diligence and throughout portfolio lifecycle
- Research and maintain understanding of emerging IMM best practices and frameworks (IRIS , IMP, BIA, IFC Principles) and regulatory developments
- Develop relationships with data providers and analytics software platforms (Clarity AI, YourStake, MSCI)
- Design and implement impact measurement frameworks aligned with client objectives and industry standards
Impact Reporting and Communications (35%)
- Lead development of the firm's annual impact report, including content strategy and design
- Oversee the production of quarterly impact investment profiles, leveraging AI wherever possible
- Produce custom client impact reports, leveraging AI wherever possible
- Translate technical impact data into accessible, high-quality insights and engaging narratives for clients and stakeholders
- Create educational materials, webinars, and presentations on impact investing topics
- Visualize impact data using tools like Power BI to enhance client understanding
- Ensure reporting aligns with client values, goals, and theory of change frameworks
- Support thought leadership through articles, white papers, and conference participation
- Collaborate with marketing & communications to elevate the firm’s impact brand and voice
Client Engagement & Education (20%)
- Join client meetings to present impact reports and explain methodologies
- Conduct client education sessions on impact investing trends and opportunities
- Tailor communications to clients at different stages of their impact journey
- Support client advisors with training materials and conversation frameworks
- Collaborate with relationship managers to identify impact investing opportunities
- Address client questions and concerns regarding impact measurement and reporting
Impact Data Operations & Infrastructure (10%)
- Own and manage the firm’s impact data infrastructure, including databases, dashboards, and reporting tools
- Ensure data integrity, consistency, and accessibility across teams and systems
- Partner with IT and analytics teams to improve data workflows and automation
- Track and report on internal impact KPIs and portfolio-level metrics
- Support ad hoc data requests and analyses for investment and client teams
Duties and Responsibilities will increase and vary based on needs of business.
More About You
Experience & Subject Matter Expertise
- Have 7-10 years of relevant experience in impact measurement, evaluation, management and reporting
- Demonstrate passion for and experience in impact investing
- Knowledge of impact investing market, including major fund managers and measurement frameworks
- Understanding of impact investing strategies
- Proficiency in financial analysis and portfolio management concepts
- Demonstrate interest in investment management and manager research and due diligence
Communication & Collaboration
- Strong presentation skills and comfort with client-facing interactions
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with ability to translate complex concepts for diverse audiences
- Collaborative approach with ability to work effectively across different functions
- Display excellent organizational, communication and social skills, and take immediate ownership of your work
Technical Skills
- Demonstrate proficiency of Microsoft Office suite (with an emphasis on Excel)
- Experience with IMM frameworks such as the Impact Management Project, IRIS , B Impact Assessment, IFC’s Operating Principles for Impact Management, etc. is a plus
- Familiarity with IMM systems and software tools (e.g., Clarity AI, YourStake, MSCI, etc.) is a plus
- Strong quantitative skills with experience in data analysis and visualization tools (Excel, PowerBI)
- Experience with Morningstar Direct, Bloomberg, Addepar, eVestment is a plus
- Experience with data analytics and relational databases and/or data visualization tools (e.g., Power BI) is a plus
- Experience with client reporting platforms and CRM systems (Salesforce in particular)
Personal Attributes
- Exhibit intellectual curiosity
- Have a strong work ethic and team orientation
- Possess an analytical mindset with attention to detail and accuracy
- Demonstrate project management skills with ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
Compensation and Benefits
We provide a competitive salary commensurate with your experience and skills and offer an annual bonus program based on company and individual success, business development incentives and company equity opportunities. The hiring salary range for this position is $150,000 to $200,000, depending on location and experience. The salary range applies to the current posting and may change in the future. The posted salary range may vary for key factors including, but not limited to, education, job-related knowledge, experience, skill set, and geographic location.
We offer excellent benefits including medical, dental and vision coverage, generous time off, flexible spending plans for health care and dependent care, 401(k) plan, educational reimbursements. For details of all benefits, please visit our website here.
Our Team
You will be joining a team that is dedicated to helping our clients achieve their goals by providing exceptional investment management and wealth planning services. Putting our clients first guides our decision-making and culture, and allows us to build long-term, caring and trusted relationships.
We love working in a professional yet relaxed working environment. We encourage openness, active listening, mutual respect, candor and integrity. We cultivate a diverse and inclusive work environment where we encourage a work/life balance through a generous PTO policy and flexible work hours. We enjoy each other's company at team and semi-annual firm wide outings. We take a hybrid in-office/remote working approach.
About Us
Laird Norton Wetherby (LNW) serves exceptional families and individuals seeking to activate the full potential of their wealth. To help turn lifelong ambitions and multigenerational aspirations into reality, LNW brings to each client relationship a high level of care combined with deep expertise in wealth and legacy planning, investments, and trust and estate services.
Offering both RIA (Registered Investment Advisor) and trust services, LNW is committed to providing clients with unbiased, independent guidance and solutions. LNW has offices in Seattle, San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles and Philadelphia, as well as an affiliated trust company in South Dakota, empowering clients across the U.S. and around the world.
LNW is owned by employees and majority owned by Laird Norton Company, one of the longest-sustained family enterprises in the United States. To learn more, please visit LNWAdvisors.com.
Additional Information
Our firm aims to cultivate an inclusive environment and culture that fosters growth, collaboration and acceptance; where we celebrate the diverse voices and perspectives of our employees; and where employees feel empowered to bring their full, authentic selves. Our diversity drives us forward and helps us build deeper relationships with our clients and our community.
The firm is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination against employees, applicants for employment, individuals providing services in the workplace pursuant to a contract, unpaid interns and volunteers based on their actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, ancestry, marital status, registered domestic partner status, military and veteran status, civil air patrol status, national origin, immigration status, pregnancy (including childbirth and related medical conditions, and including medical conditions related to lactation) or medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics).
*As of 1/12/2026
Salary : $150,000 - $200,000