Lead Research Analyst - Active Funds in City of Westminster

We are seeking an experienced Senior Research Analyst to join our investment research team at AJ Bell. In this role, you will help lead a team of fund research analysts across equity, fixed income and alternative asset classes. You will ensure ongoing coverage of existing selections, bring in high-conviction new ideas, help develop the rest of the team and contribute improvements to the broader investment research process. Your selections will support our fast growing multi-asset funds and MPS propositions, as well as the Favourite funds list for self-directed users of our platform.

What you'll do:

• Manage the ongoing maintenance of existing picks across various sectors, across monthly reporting, six monthly manager meeting and sector reviews (exact sectors to be determined based on candidate).
• Regularly 'pitch' new funds onto our approved list, self-directing across desk-based analysis, in-person fund manager meetings and high-quality recommendation notes.
• Serve as a subject matter expert within the team, mentoring junior and mid-level analysts and setting standards for research quality and depth.
• Collaborate closely with portfolio managers to ensure research outputs are aligned with fund mandates, risk parameters, and investment philosophy.
• Monitor existing holdings, track key drivers and catalysts, and provide timely updates to the investment team.
• Build and maintain relationships with asset management firms and industry experts.
• Present investment ideas clearly and persuasively in investment committee meetings and written research notes.
• Stay abreast of regulatory developments, ESG considerations, and market trends relevant to the covered universe.

Qualifications:

• Minimum Level IV QCF Qualification
• Highly experienced in fund research and selection, with a demonstrated track record of selecting outperforming funds.
• Deep understanding of investment industry across asset classes, strategy types and vehicles.
• Strong quantitative capability preferred
• Experience covering a range of sectors/ asset classes across equities / fixed income and alternatives.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to distil complex analysis into clear, concise investment cases.
• Strong commercial awareness and genuine passion for markets.
• Ability to work independently and lead within a collaborative team environment.
• CFA charterholder (or equivalent qualification) preferred.

AJ Bell is one of the fastest-growing investment platform businesses in the UK offering an award-winning range of solutions that caters for everyone, from professional financial advisers to DIY investors with little to no experience. We have over 644,000 customers using our award-winning platform propositions to manage assets totalling more than £103.3 billion. Our customers trust us with their investments, and by continuously striving to make investing easier, we aim to help even more people take control of their financial futures. Having listed on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange in December 2018, AJ Bell is now a FTSE 250 company. Headquartered in Manchester with offices in central London and Bristol, we now have over 1,500 employees and have been named one of the UK's 'Best 100 Companies to Work For' for six consecutive years and in 2025 named a Great Place to Work.

Benefits:

• Starting holiday entitlement of 27 days, increasing up to 31 days with length of service
• Holiday buy and sell scheme
• A choice of pension schemes with matched contributions up to 8%
• Discretionary bonus scheme
• Annual free share awards scheme
• Buy As You Earn (BAYE) Scheme
• Health Cash Plan - provided by Medicash
• Discounted private healthcare scheme and dental plan
• Free gym membership, with an on-site gym providing a wide range of free classes
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Bike loan scheme
• Sick pay+ pledge
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, and shared parental leave
• Loans for travel season tickets
• Death in service scheme
• Dedicated time for proof-of-concepts and assessing new tech
• Support to attend conferences, events, and meet-ups
• Paid time off for volunteer work
• Charitable giving opportunities through salary sacrifice
• Calendar of social events, including monthly payday drinks, annual Christmas party, summer party and much more
• Personal development programmes built around you and your career goals, including access to personal skills workshops
• Ongoing technical training
• Professional qualification support
• Talent management programmes
• Peer recognition scheme, with rewards including restaurant and shopping vouchers or time off
• Monthly leadership breakfasts and lunches
• Casual dress code
• Access to a range of benefits from our sponsorship deals

Hybrid working: At AJ Bell, our people are the heart of our culture. We believe in building strong connections by working together. That's why we offer a hybrid working model, where you'll spend a minimum of 50% of your working time per month in the office. For new team members, an initial period will be full-time in the office to help you immerse yourself in our business and build valuable relationships with your colleagues. AJ Bell is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and all employees are empowered to bring their whole self to work.