Investment Manager Research Analyst

**NAME OF THE ROLE: INVESTMENT MANAGER RESEARCH ANALYST**

**ROLE DESCRIPTION**:
This position is for an Investment Manager Research Analyst with a respected Consulting and Advisory Business.

**PURPOSE OF JOB**:
The Investment Manager Research Analyst plays a vital role in providing research and analysis to internal business units, external clients, and network companies. This role involves performing in-depth research on asset managers, investment products, and other service providers in the investment industry. The research supports key investment decision-making forums in the company.

**KEY RESPONSIBILITIES**:

- Develop a comprehensive understanding of the Company’s investment philosophy and the requirements for asset managers to be included in the Company’s list of preferred managers.

**Asset Manager Research**:

- Collect, collate, and regularly update asset manager information.
- Contribute to generating and maintaining a shortlist of asset managers (across all asset classes/regions) in line with the Company’s investment philosophy.
- Document and report on decisions regarding asset managers' inclusion or rejection from the shortlist.
- Prepare recommendations for asset managers to be added to the shortlist.

**Advanced Research & Analysis**:

- Perform both quantitative and qualitative research on portfolios, asset managers, and broader market trends.
- Company’s investment research process.
- Conduct in-depth reviews of managers, client asset allocations, and assist with maintaining house views across asset classes.
- Support preparation for investment meetings with clients by providing comprehensive research insights and portfolio analysis.

**Project Work & Innovation**:

- Identify new areas of interest for the Company and present detailed research for review.
- Support ongoing monitoring of research information sources and propose enhancements to research tools, processes, and methodologies.
- Collaborate on broader research team projects, offering input on process improvements and innovations.

**Client & Stakeholder Interaction**:

- Liaise efficiently with clients and internal teams on portfolio analytics and related research.
- Prepare investment analytics, reports, and documentation for clients related to their investments or specific asset classes.
- Build and maintain a strong network of industry contacts to enhance primary research and referral quality.

**KEY RELATIONSHIPS**:

- Collaborate with client consultants, business units, and network companies regarding investment research requirements.
- Foster and maintain a network of relevant industry contacts for high-quality referrals and research sources

**KEY COMPETENCIES, SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES**:

- Passionate about investment research and financial markets with a desire for continuous learning.
- Strong quantitative and qualitative analytical skills with experience in portfolio analysis.
- Effective communication skills (both written and verbal), with the ability to explain complex concepts clearly.
- Highly collaborative, with the ability to work independently and self-manage when needed.
- Excellent attention to detail, accuracy, and organisational skills, especially when managing multiple deliverables and strict deadlines.
- Strong interpersonal skills to build and maintain professional relationships in the investment industry.
- Ability to take initiative, think critically, and improve research processes.

**REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE**:
**Educational Background**:

- BCom or equivalent majoring in finance, investments, economics, or accounting.
- FAIS compliant representative preferred.
- Honours, M.Com., or CFA designation is advantageous.

**Experience**:

- 2 to 4 years of prior experience in the investment/asset management industry.
- A sound understanding of financial markets, asset manager due diligence, and portfolio construction.
- Proven quantitative abilities in performance and risk calculations.

**Technical Proficiency**:

- Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office (MS Word, MS PowerPoint, and MS Excel).
- Exposure to financial modelling or database management would be a plus.

**Job Types**: Full-time, Permanent

**Education**:

- Bachelors (required)

**Experience**:

- investment/asset management: 2 years (required)