Director - Manager Research, Multi-Manager Solutions (Fixed Income)

About Columbia Threadneedle Investments

Working at Columbia Threadneedle Investments you'll find growth and career opportunities across all of our businesses. We’re intentionally built to help you succeed. Our reach is expansive with a global team of 2,300 people working together. Our capability is diverse with more than 550 investment professionals sharing global perspectives across all major asset classes and markets. Our clients have access to a broad array of investment strategies, and we have the capability to create bespoke solutions matched to clients’ specific requirements. Our unwavering focus on our clients and strong financial foundation connects each of our enterprise businesses - Ameriprise Financial, Columbia Threadneedle Investments and RiverSource Insurance and Annuities.

Job Description

Join our Multi-Manager Solutions team as a senior fixed income manager research specialist, helping shape the selection and oversight of investment managers across a global open architecture platform. You will lead rigorous due diligence across a broad range of fixed income strategies, influence portfolio and governance decisions, and represent Columbia Threadneedle Investments with institutional clients, consultants and investment firms.

This is an opportunity to combine deep investment expertise with analytical innovation, strengthen our manager research capabilities and contribute to the continued growth of a global multi-manager business managing more than $80 billion in investment solutions. You will have meaningful scope to drive improvements, build trusted relationships and deliver high-quality investment outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Lead fixed income manager research, selection and ongoing due diligence across assigned sub-asset classes, including high yield, investment grade credit, structured products and emerging markets debt.
• Represent Columbia Threadneedle Investments in detailed due diligence discussions with chief investment officers, portfolio managers, analysts, traders and other senior professionals at current and prospective investment firms.
• Deliver evidence-based manager recommendations, including hire, retain and terminate decisions, supported by clear investment analysis and effective collaboration with cross-organizational decision-making groups.
• Present investment ideas and portfolio reviews to institutional clients across global markets, and partner with clients and consultants to develop investment guidelines and research parameters.
• Support portfolio construction with internal investment teams, including analysis of duration positioning, yield curve exposure, sector allocation and risk factors.
• Develop and enhance quantitative screening, reporting and analytical tools to evaluate fixed income strategies, strengthen research discipline and improve decision-making processes.
• Prepare accurate, decision-ready materials for governance bodies, ensuring the quality of internally and externally sourced content.
• Monitor multi-manager portfolios and external investment managers for changes in performance, people, process and organization, while assessing market trends across interest rates, credit cycles, liquidity and competitive dynamics.

Qualifications

• Prior experience of manager research experience covering fixed income strategies, with the ability to independently lead manager searches, selection activity and ongoing oversight.
• Deep knowledge of fixed income investing and demonstrated experience analyzing rates, credit, securitized markets and emerging markets debt, together with familiarity with European and United States fund requirements.
• Progress toward or completion of the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation is preferred; an advanced degree in finance, business administration or a related field is also preferred.
• Strong understanding of investment processes and organizational models across asset managers, with the judgment to identify and evaluate high-quality investment firms.
• Proficiency with relevant investment research and analytical platforms, such as Bloomberg, Aladdin, eVestment and Morningstar, and the capability to develop quantitative screening and reporting tools.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex and abstract investment concepts clearly, concisely and credibly.
• Confidence engaging and influencing senior professionals across asset managers, consultants, clients and internal governance groups, while representing Columbia Threadneedle Investments to a high professional standard.
• Strategic, collaborative and improvement-oriented approach, with strong analytical judgment, problem-solving skills and accountability for high-quality outcomes.

In-Office Collaboration

We are a client-centric, relationship-based business. Working together, in-person, is foundational to how we achieve results. By fostering a culture of face-to-face collaboration, idea sharing, productivity and personal connection, we deliver for