Head of Third-Party Fund Research

Our client, a leading investment management firm, is seeking an exceptional leader in third-party fund research to head the research, monitoring and selection of external mutual funds across its investment platform. As third-party funds continue to expand across their multi-asset and discretionary strategies, this role will be a key pillar in the company’s ability to build robust, multi-asset portfolios. You will shape and strengthen the investment framework supporting fund selection, ensuring access to best-in-class active and passive solutions and enabling the construction of resilient, outcome-driven portfolios for a broad client base.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage and maintain a conviction list of third-party mutual funds for use by different stakeholders within the investment group.
• Propose blends of funds / strategies with complementary styles to provide diversified asset class exposures.
• Develop and maintain a market-leading approach to third party fund research, monitoring and selection.
• Provide coverage of funds across the passive / active spectrum, and different vehicle types (unit trusts, OEICs, SICAVs, investment trusts, ETF’s).
• Develop a strong knowledge of the use of third-party funds across the company and the full range of portfolio offerings.
• Balance the third-party fund requirements of different stakeholders with the need to maintain a concise, conviction list of preferred funds.
• Produce high quality analytics on individual funds and combination of funds to aid decision making and communication.
• Produce high quality, written documentation for fund research and monitoring, which clearly articulates investment thinking.
• Lead, establish and develop a team producing the highest quality fund research backed by a clearly articulated and applied investment philosophy.
• Work closely with the existing manager research teams responsible for manager selection within the company’s unit trust range.
• Fully integrate team into wider Investment Division, and play a full role in debate, discussion and decision making.
• Articulate the company’s approach to third party fund selection internally (Boards, Committees and Forums) and externally (media outlets).

Background experience

• The role-holder will manage a small team of fund analysts and will be expected to both develop and mentor individuals, and also create a culture defined by high-quality investment research, integrity and accountability.
• Industry leading understanding of financial markets across the full spectrum of active and passive funds, and different vehicle types.
• Industry leading knowledge and practical experience of fund manager research, monitoring and selection.
• Ability to critically appraise all types of investment strategies in a rigorous and consistent fashion.
• Ability to analyse market conditions and the impact on fund returns and risk, taking accountability for decision making, with strong communication skills to adapt the delivery of technical detail to a variety of stakeholders.
• Strong regulatory and risk management acumen, with attention to detail and high standards of governance.
• Ability to manage, influence and prioritise across multiple workstreams to ensure successful and timely outcomes.
• Ability to use and potentially build analytics to support evidence-based decision making.
• Strong awareness of behavioural finance concepts and their impact on decision making.
• Outstanding communication skills to adapt the delivery of technical detail to a variety of stakeholders.
• Relevant professional qualifications through CFA exams or equivalent.

Please note that due to the high volume of applicants responding to our adverts we are regrettably not able to feedback on all applications; only successful .