At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape and manage investment portfolios, turning insights into practical decisions.
- Company: Join AJ Bell, a leading investment platform with a supportive culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous holiday, pension scheme, and health benefits.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for growth and learning.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the financial world while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Analytical experience in investments and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 54000 - 66000 £ per year.
Job Description
At AJ Bell, we believe investing should feel good.
That means creating investment solutions that are well designed, carefully managed and focused on delivering good outcomes for customers.
As an Investment Analyst within AJ Bell Investments, you’ll play an important part in shaping and managing our discretionary portfolios.
Working closely with the Head of Investment Solutions and colleagues across Investments, you’ll turn market insight, research and data into practical portfolio decisions, helping ensure our investment solutions remain robust, relevant and straightforward for the people who invest with us.
It’s a varied role combining investment analysis, portfolio implementation and product governance, with the opportunity to contribute ideas, challenge thinking and help us continually improve how we invest for our customers.
- What you’ll do
- Help shape our managed portfolios, supporting strategic and tactical asset allocation and translating investment thinking into effective portfolio implementation.
- Turn research into investment decisions, working closely with the Research team to develop appropriate portfolio implementation strategies.
- Support strong investment governance, helping design and monitor Investment Policy Statements and ensuring portfolios remain aligned with their objectives.
- Bring investment data to life, developing meaningful management information, capital market assumptions reporting and clear insights that support informed decision-making.
- Put portfolio decisions into practice, supporting fund trading, model portfolio updates and the ongoing maintenance of AJ Bell’s discretionary managed portfolios.
- Communicate clearly with different audiences, producing regular investment literature and committee reporting, and helping ensure portfolio developments are understood across the business and communicated effectively to investors.
- Work collaboratively across AJ Bell, sharing expertise and supporting the continued growth and development of AJ Bell Investments and our wider investment proposition.
- Help maintain high standards, supporting Consumer Duty and wider regulatory requirements while sharing your knowledge and helping develop colleagues within the team.
- What you’ll bring
- Experience in an analytical role within investments, asset management or financial services, with the ability to interpret complex information and turn it into clear, practical insight.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, alongside a thoughtful and curious approach to investment challenges.
- A relevant Level 4 QCF qualification, or a commitment to achieving one in the short term, with an appetite to continue developing your professional knowledge.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the confidence to work collaboratively with investment specialists and colleagues across the wider business.
- The ability to produce clear, high-quality reports and use data to tell a meaningful story and support investment decisions.
- Confidence using Excel and Power Point to analyse information and communicate findings effectively.
- A forward-thinking mindset. You’ll be comfortable contributing ideas, looking for better ways of doing things and taking ownership of your work.
- Most importantly, you’ll bring sound judgement, curiosity and a genuine interest in helping create investment solutions that deliver good outcomes for customers.
- About AJ Bell
At AJ Bell, we believe investing should feel good.
Whether you're looking for an ISA, pension or dealing account, whether you want to invest with the help of a financial adviser or do it yourself, we have easy-to-use solutions to suit people from all walks of life.
We're one of the UK's fastest-growing investment platform businesses, trusted by everyone from professional financial advisers to first-time investors.
Today, over 723,000 customers trust us to manage more than 108.7 billion of assets.
By continually striving to make investing simpler and more accessible, we're helping more people take control of their financial futures.
We're proud to be recognised as one of the UK's Best 100 Companies to Work For for six consecutive years, and a Great Place to Work in 2025 and 2026, a reflection of our supportive and collaborative culture.
What we offer
- Competitive starting salary
- 26 days holiday, increasing with service + buy/sell scheme + bank holidays
- 7% Pension with matched contributions
- Discretionary bonus scheme
- Share schemes (including free shares and BAYE)
- Health Cash Plan and discounted private healthcare
- Free onsite gym
- Enhanced family leave (subject to qualifying criteria)
- Travel and bike loan schemes
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Life at AJ Bell
- Regular social events including summer and Christmas parties
- Learning and development opportunities tailored to you
- Casual dress code
- Friendly, supportive team environment
- Our ways of 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 working time per month in the office.
For new team members, an initial period will be spent full-time in the office to help you immerse yourself in our business and build valuable relationships with your colleagues.
Inclusion & diversity
We’re committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels respected, supported and able to be themselves at work.
We welcome applications from all backgrounds and make hiring decisions based on skills, experience and potential.
Agency information
This vacancy is being managed exclusively by our in-house Recruitment team.
We are not partnering with recruitment agencies on this opportunity and will only accept applications submitted directly by candidates.
Summary
• Type
Full-time
• Function
Analyst
• Experience level
Associate
• Industry
Financial Services
Investment Analyst in Manchester employer: AJ Bell
AJ Bell is an exceptional employer located in Manchester, offering a supportive and collaborative work culture that prioritises employee well-being and growth. With competitive salaries, generous holiday allowances, and tailored learning opportunities, employees are encouraged to thrive both personally and professionally. The company’s commitment to inclusivity and its recognition as one of the UK’s Best 100 Companies to Work For make it an attractive place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment in the finance sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Investment Analyst in Manchester
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
✨Connect on Professional Platforms
Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like AJ Bell. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Investment Analyst in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to AJ Bell.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on AJ Bell's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at AJ Bell
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with AJ Bell.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at AJ Bell will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former AJ Bell employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
