To provide a high standard of investment strategy research, to support our consulting service to a range of large, sophisticated institutional funds. This research includes manager and other service provider research and assistance with the formulation of manager recommendations. The provision of manager and other service provider research services will comprise the core purpose of this job description. Supporting the Global Investment Committee in decision making and investment consulting will also form part of the role.

Key Duties:
• Provide analytical input and support to the research team by assisting with quantitative and qualitative analysis of portfolios, enhancing and developing research tools, developing procedures and initiatives
• Assist with generating and maintaining a short list of managers (across all asset classes/regions) in line with our investment philosophy
• Gain full understanding of our investment philosophy and requirements in order to be in no doubt what particular hurdles a new investment manager has to overcome to make its way onto our short-list of preferred managers
• Scout and research any potential sources of new manager names in order to generate a steady stream of new leads. This will involve building and maintaining a network of relevant contacts within the financial/investment industry as a basis for high quality referrals and primary research, as well as on-going monitoring of research information sources.
• Drive the due diligence on identified managers and consistently apply and adhere to our manager research process. This will include gathering qualitative and quantitative information, performing detailed portfolio analysis of sample/model portfolios, assessing their consistency with the manager’s espoused investment approach, preparing and presenting investment analytics/meeting papers prior to manager research meetings, attending and recording research meetings, etc.
• Diligently document and record all aspects of the due diligence process according to our requirements, and deliver high quality packages for short listed managers in line with internal audit review standards
• Throughout the process, identify and clearly explain key areas/risks/weaknesses to be monitored should the manager be appointed
• Document decisions relating to why managers have made their way onto short-lists, why managers have been rejected.
• Actively and efficiently liaise with investment manager analysts on portfolio analytics and overall supporting research activities as well as with client consultants and clients in relation to the investing requirements with the client consulting agreement.
• Assist in preparing recommendations to the Global Investment Committee for addition to the short list. A measure of success in this role is that a list of high quality investment managers is generated for the relevant asset classes of responsibilities so that there are always sufficient options available when an incumbent investment manager needs to be replaced.
• Assist the Global Investment Committee with research and analysis as required and in preparation of the GIC meetings including review of current managers, client asset allocations and maintaining a house-view/model portfolio
• Proactively assist the Manager Research team with the on-going enhancement of the research process, its tools, procedures, and initiatives.
• Assisting in other duties as may be reasonably required from time

Competencies:
• Client Service Managers
• Consultants
• Discretionary team
• PCA team
• Chief Investment Officer

Qualifications and Experience

• Minimum of 2 to 3 years total in the investment / asset management industry
• Portfolio management, manager research, investment research background
• A good understanding of the financial markets and the ability to communicate the latest developments in these
• Client centric attitude
• Quantitative ability in terms of performance and risk calculations