At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of sophisticated portfolio risk strategies and analytics.
- Company: Established UK investment and wealth management firm focused on innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional growth, and a chance to shape investment risk management.
- Other info: Opportunity for team growth and to influence investment decisions.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a key role within a substantial investment business.
- Qualifications: Strong quantitative skills and experience in investment risk or portfolio management.
The predicted salary is between 54000 - 66000 £ per year.
We are working with a well-established UK investment and wealth management business that is investing in the development of its portfolio risk capability.
This is a senior, hands-on appointment sitting close to the investment function.
The successful candidate will take ownership of developing a more sophisticated and consistent approach to understanding risk across a large and diverse range of client portfolios.
The position combines quantitative portfolio analysis, framework development and senior stakeholder engagement.
It would suit someone who enjoys getting into the detail of portfolio data and risk models but is equally comfortable turning that analysis into useful information for investment professionals and senior management.
A major part of the mandate will be taking an existing capability and developing it into a more scalable, forward-looking portfolio risk function.
The role
You will develop and enhance the firm's approach to portfolio and investment risk, providing independent challenge and insight to those responsible for managing client assets.
Your work is likely to include
- Developing portfolio analytics across market exposures, concentration, volatility, correlations and diversification.
- Producing and enhancing Va R, scenario analysis and portfolio stress-testing capabilities.
- Analysing factor exposures and the underlying drivers of portfolio risk and return.
- Assessing portfolios against relevant benchmarks, mandates and investment parameters.
- Identifying unusual or unintended concentrations and helping investment teams understand their potential impact.
- Developing dashboards, reporting and management information that make portfolio risk easier to understand and act upon.
- Improving the processes and controls used to identify, monitor and escalation investment risks.
- Working closely with investment, research, data, technology and risk colleagues to improve the quality and availability of portfolio information.
- Helping establish appropriate governance and oversight as the capability develops.
- Supporting senior management with analysis relating to portfolio construction and client investment outcomes.
The remit is expected to broaden over time and may incorporate areas such as portfolio liquidity, counterparty exposures, investment models and other financial risks relevant to an investment management business.
You will initially provide technical guidance to a more junior risk professional, with the potential for additional team growth as the function develops.
What we're looking for
We are interested in experienced investment risk professionals who combine strong quantitative skills with a practical understanding of how portfolios are actually managed.
You are likely to have experience gained within wealth management, asset management, investment consulting or another sophisticated investment environment.
Relevant experience could include
- Portfolio risk, investment risk, market risk or quantitative portfolio analytics.
- Strong knowledge of multi-asset portfolios and the interaction between different asset classes.
- Practical experience of risk measures including volatility, Va R, stress testing, correlations, concentrations and factor-based analysis.
- Understanding of equities and fixed income alongside less liquid or alternative investments.
- Experience developing risk reporting, analytics, controls or portfolio oversight frameworks.
- Familiarity with established portfolio risk platforms or comparable quantitative investment tools.
- Strong Excel skills, with experience of Python, Power BI or similar analytical technologies particularly useful.
- The ability to interrogate portfolio data rather than simply produce standard system reports.
- Confidence discussing risk with experienced portfolio managers and senior investment professionals.
- The individual
This role requires someone who can operate at both a technical and strategic level.
You should be capable of taking a relatively broad mandate, determining what good portfolio risk oversight should look like and then building the analytics, processes and relationships required to deliver it.
The organisation is not looking for someone whose experience has been limited to producing established risk reports.
Of greater interest is an individual who has previously improved, designed or built elements of an investment risk capability and can demonstrate how their analysis has influenced investment decisions.
This is an opportunity to have considerable ownership of an important area within a substantial investment business and to play a central role in shaping how portfolio risk is understood and managed.
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Head of Investment Risk – 1st Line employer: Barclay Simpson
Join a dynamic and innovative Front Office Quant team where your expertise in designing and enhancing pricing models for Structured Rates Exotics will be highly valued. With a strong focus on collaboration and immediate impact, this role offers competitive compensation and the chance to work in a fast-paced trading environment that fosters professional growth and development. Experience a supportive work culture that encourages ownership and technical excellence while contributing to critical projects alongside industry-leading professionals.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Investment Risk – 1st Line
✨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
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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 Barclay Simpson. 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 Head of Investment Risk – 1st Line
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 Barclay Simpson.
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 Barclay Simpson'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 Barclay Simpson
✨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 Barclay Simpson.
✨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 Barclay Simpson 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 Barclay Simpson 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.
