Fixed Income Trainee (Investment 20/20 Program)

Company Overview

Our ambition is to be a leading responsible asset manager. At AXA IM, our purpose, to act for human progress by investing for what matters, is central to every action we take as a business. As a responsible asset manager, we actively invest for the long-term to help our clients, our people and the world to prosper. Our conviction-led approach enables us to uncover what we believe to be the best global investment opportunities across alternative and core asset classes. We are already entrusted with €844 billion in assets (as of end of December 2023).

Working as part of the AXA Group, a world leader in financial protection, our team of over 2,700 people (as of end of December 2023) around the world combine a range of specialist skills and experience to best serve the needs of our clients. The combination of responsible, active and long-term defines our investment philosophy, but also how we run our business, what underpins our clients’ partnerships with us, and what drives our people. Being responsible is in our DNA as a firm and is central to our ethos as an employer. It is embedded in how we grow and protect our people. It unites our team, from our leaders, to our growing number of specialists, to the newest members of our teams.

Careers at AXA IM

Empowering our people to drive progress. As part of a responsible, progressive organisation, our people help us to invest for what matters. Everyone in our diverse, global family shares this responsibility. Together our people push boundaries and drive forward ideas. They’re willing to be bold and take the lead, using initiative and enterprise to create exceptional service. The kind of service that seeks to drive long-term prosperity for our clients, society and the world we live in.

Diversity and Inclusion

At AXA IM, inclusion and diversity are closely linked to our values and to our culture of respect for employees, clients and the communities around us. We always aim to create an environment where everyone feels they belong, are included and can thrive within a diverse community.

Programme information

You will join as a trainee as part of the Investment20/20 one-year trainee programme. While we can’t guarantee a permanent position at the end of the 12-month contract, if you perform well & if we have an open position available at the time, then permanent employment could be a possibility. The Investment20/20 trainee programme is offered by many investment management firms and 75% of the 2,000 Investment20/20 trainees are offered permanent positions at the end of the one year.

As a trainee, you will be introduced to investment management and you will gain industry knowledge, experience and develop relationships to progress your career and develop skills to secure a permanent role. We will support you in achieving/starting a professional qualification if this is something you are interested in doing (most firms offer it and we highly recommend doing so). As part of the Investment20/20 programme, you will have opportunities to meet and network with over 300 trainees across the industry and participate in socials and insight events.

Our trainee programme is a fixed term one-year contract paying £28,000. You will receive 27 days annual leave. All roles are based in London.

The Team

The Fixed Income Group determines how and where we invest our clients’ money to ensure a long-term return in line with our investment beliefs and values. Your role will involve supporting the Group by looking at data, gathering information on companies to help inform investment decisions. The Group has several strategies – Total Return, High Yield, Investment Grade and Fixed Income Solutions. Each strategy is managed by a tight knit team which will have a mix of Portfolio Managers and Analysts.

Your main responsibilities in this role will be:

• Conducting company analysis including financial analysis.
• Conducting industry and sector analysis.
• Produce written reports where needed.
• Contribute to investment decisions.
• Attend company meetings and conferences where appropriate.
• General ad hoc activities and tasks to support the Teams.

(Training and ongoing coaching will be provided for all the analysis responsibilities)

Your Profile

If you are a school/college leaver or graduate who has an interest in working within financial services and has the following attributes, we are interested in hearing from you:

• Have a keen interest in or some familiarity with Asset Management.
• Interested in learning how to evaluate industries and companies from financial, business and sustainability perspectives.
• Comfortable using Microsoft Office tools like Excel.
• Team player with a customer-focused approach.
• Inquisitive and enjoys interpreting information and problem solving.
• Comfortable working with data.
• Good organisational skills, able to multi-task and meet deadlines.
• Self-starter who can work to your own initiative.
• A ‘can do’ attitude to learning and enjoys developing new skills.
• A good communicator, both oral and written.

How to apply

Apply online with your CV and a cover letter including your answers to the following three questions in 250 words each:

• Why are you applying for this particular traineeship?
• Tell us about the most interesting project or piece of work you have completed as part of your studies at either school/college or university. What did you have to do and what interested you most about it?
• Tell us a financial news story that interests you and why?

We are an inclusive employer. Please let the recruitment team know if you have a disability, condition or difference that may require us to make adjustments.

Key dates

Online applications close: March 31st, 2025

Start date: September 2025

Successful candidates will be asked to attend a competency interview followed by further operational interviews and an HR interview at the end of the process. Unsuccessful candidates at CV submission stage will be notified by email.

If you have been unsuccessful with your application you can always consider other trainee opportunities here: https://www.investment2020.org.uk/registration-form/

About AXA

The AXA Group is a global leader in insurance and asset management, with 160,000 employees serving 105 million customers in 62 countries. We protect and advise our clients at every stage of their lives, offering products and services that meet their needs in the areas of insurance, personal protection, savings and asset management.

Our mission: To act for human progress by protecting what matters. Our values: Customer first, Integrity, Courage and One AXA.

About the Entity

At AXA IM we are investing with a clear purpose – to make the world a better place. We act for human progress by investing for what matters. Our conviction-led approach enables us to uncover what we believe to be the best global investment opportunities across alternative and core asset classes. We are already entrusted by our clients with more than €887 billion in assets.

AXA IM is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we encourage candidates with disabilities or any other protected characteristic to apply. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodation to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities, when needed, to apply for a position or to perform essential job functions.

What We Offer

We are committed to offer you an environment where you can:

• Grow your potential: Be part of a forward-thinking business with internal opportunities and personalized learning paths available to help constantly develop your skills and abilities.
• Shape the way you work: Work for a company which is highly committed to providing flexibility & balance to its employees, offering you a large range of benefits (hybrid working, competitive health benefits, among many others).
• Thrive within a diverse community: Play a role within a responsible company that actively recognizes and values individual differences in a diverse and inclusive workforce.
• Move the world forward: Join a responsible employer that acts in favor of societal and environmental causes as an investor, insurer and company, notably through the AXA Heart in Action association. As part of our commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility, we will celebrate your arrival by planting a tree.