Investment Specialist – Multi-Asset Investment Strategies recruitment

Role Context

Standard Life Investments is a premier asset manager with an expanding global reach. Our wide range of investment solutions is backed by a distinctive investment philosophy, disciplined risk management and shared commitment to a culture of investment excellence.  Standard Life Investments manages circa £150bn on behalf of clients worldwide. Investment capabilities span equities, bonds, real estate, private equity, multi-asset solutions, fund-of-funds and absolute return strategies.  Our investors rank among some of the world's most sophisticated and high-profile institutions. They include corporate pension plans, banks, mutual funds, insurance companies, fund-of-fund managers, endowments, foundations, charities, official institutions, sovereign wealth funds and government authorities.

As part of the Global Client Group (GCG), the Global Investment Specialist (GIS) team utilise their asset class specialism to support the globalisation of the Standard Life Investments business. Whilst being located within GCG, the GIS team is expected to develop strong working relationships with the investment management teams.

The Investment Specialist – Multi-Asset Investment Strategies role is specifically targeted at supporting the commercial growth of the SLI GARS product and to play a significant role in the broadening of SLI's multi-asset/absolute return offering.

There are two major facets of the Global Investment Specialist role.  Firstly they work closely with the asset class management teams to ensure the transfer of relevant knowledge to the sales teams.  The aim of this is to support the commercial development of the current product suite of that asset class.  Secondly their strong investment expertise will also be utilised in garnering strategic insights from internal and external contacts to feed into future asset class strategies.   

Role Purpose

The role holder will work in partnership with the sales teams to support the commercial growth of our Absolute Return range of products. The role holder will play their part in the provision of tactical information to the sales teams and relevant external parties. This information should be proactive and of a high standard. The technical oversight of database, RFP, presentation and marketing collateral is a key part of the role.  This role holder would also be expected to play a key role in the development of support collateral, including thought leadership, for various markets.  The investment specialists should also be able to represent their respective asset class as a ‘portfolio manger proxy' in pitching for new business or updating consultants/existing clients.

The role will carry responsibility for developing relationships with key research consultants and intermediaries as agreed with the consultant/sales teams. The individual should ensure any market intelligence gathered is fully reflected in internal product development/asset class strategy forums.  This will be achieved by maintaining a high level of market awareness, as well as converting insights gained from relationships with all sales channels and investment consultants and prospects.

Core Outcomes

• Promote Standard Life Investments
• Team member promoting our GARS investment product and other innovative multi asset solutions
• Work in partnership with sales channels – proactively supplying relevant tactical information to sales personnel, and supporting and driving strategic discussions with key external contacts.  Acting as a PM proxy in the sales process as requested.
• Work proactively with the sales teams to educate/inform/update investment consultants and prospects on Absolute Return Strategies.
• To contribute to the support of any wholesale distribution agreements for multi-asset.
• Maintain a thorough knowledge of key competition and the competitive environment
• Maintain a good working relationship with the Sales, Client and Asset Class teams
• Maintain a good working knowledge of the legal and regulatory provisions
• Contribute to the provision of high quality database, RFP, presentation and marketing collateral.  This role will carry technical sign-off responsibilities.
• Drive and facilitate thought leadership within asset class area
• Liaise with marketing and presentations teams regarding production and distribution of investment literature
• Provides an exceptional client experience through a focus on client needs at all times in line with the Company's TCF policy and is flexible when trying to meet and exceed client expectations

Core Knowledge

• Knowledge of Investment markets and relevant products
• Understand Standard Life Investments' investment strategy
• A thorough knowledge of key competition and the competitive environment
• A strong working knowledge and experience of working within a multi-asset environment is essential for this role.
• A good working knowledge of the legal and regulatory provisions associated with the role
• Demonstrates an in depth knowledge of business processes and procedures in accordance with the Company's TCF policy as well as the compliance and legislative environment in which we operate

Core Skills

• Excellent communications skills
• Ability to write reports and give professional presentations
• Ability to build and nurture personal relationships with a diverse range of people/personalities at a variety of different levels
• Sound business and investment knowledge
• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills
• Excellent presentational skills
• Self Confidence
• Self motivated

Typical Qualifications/Experience

• IMC qualification, CFA or appropriate equivalent
• Experience of Absolute return, diversified growth and Fixed Income strategies would be advantageous

Talents

• Team work – is supportive of colleagues and is willing to share ideas and listen to others.
• Information gathering – knows where to get relevant information from and will make use of all available sources.
• Attention to detail – takes thorough approach when dealing with clients in order to meet client needs.
• Planning organising – schedules daily work and does not rely on others to prioritise activities.
• Client focus – maintains focus on client needs at all times and is flexible when trying to meet and exceed client expectations.
• Communicating influencing – explains things clearly whether verbally or in writing and can present to a wide audience using an appropriate style and tone.
• Preference for Action – takes ownership for work and will see things through.
• Responsibility – demonstrates strong work ethic and takes initiative to meet client needs. Looks for opportunities to create value for the client.
• Tenacity – copes well with high volumes of work and thrives in a fast paced work environment.
• Networking- builds a range of contacts both internally and externally and uses their knowledge to gain business advantage.