At a Glance
- Tasks: Conduct in-depth credit research and support portfolio managers with investment recommendations.
- Company: Join Border to Coast, a leading UK asset manager focused on sustainable investments.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, health insurance, generous holiday allowance, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible working options and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by securing pensions for over two million people while developing your expertise.
- Qualifications: Experience in credit research and strong communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 54000 - 66000 £ per year.
Competitive Salary + Benefits
Leeds – 3 days office
Permanent: 37.5 hour per week
Full time (we welcome flexible working discussions)
An opportunity to make a difference
At Border to Coast our purpose is to make a difference and we're looking for a Credit Research Manager to join our team on a permanent basis. The Credit Research Manager is responsible for independently producing high-quality fundamental credit research and acting as a role model for more junior colleagues. Your research and recommendations will support Fixed Income Portfolio Managers in constructing portfolios that align with Border to Coast's investment philosophy, investment processes and regulatory requirements.
As a customer-owned and customer-focused organisation, integrity is one of our values, as is our collaborative and sustainable approach. Our focus is to secure the pensions of over two million people who have provided valuable service to their communities and society. We're the largest UK asset manager outside London or Edinburgh, and we provide innovative investments that deliver sustainable returns over the long term.
As a Credit Research Manager, you'll play a key role in identifying investment opportunities, developing sector expertise and influencing portfolio construction. You'll work closely with Portfolio Managers, Research colleagues, Portfolio Risk and Responsible Investment teams to deliver outstanding investment outcomes for our Partner Funds.
The role – what you'll be doing
- Credit Research & Investment Analysis
- Conduct detailed fundamental credit research and ongoing monitoring of portfolio exposures across sectors under coverage.
- Analyse issuers to assess credit quality, relative value and risk.
- Generate investment ideas and recommendations relating to potential purchases, reductions or exits from holdings.
- Communicate investment recommendations effectively to support portfolio construction decisions.
- Market & Sector Expertise
- Monitor industry conditions, macroeconomic developments and market trends affecting issuers and sectors under coverage.
- Provide subject matter expertise to support investment discussions and portfolio positioning.
- Collaborate with Portfolio Managers and fellow researchers to identify risks and opportunities across portfolios.
- Collaboration & Team Development
- Support the development of more junior Research colleagues through coaching, mentoring and constructive feedback.
- Contribute to investment team discussions, challenging ideas and assumptions in a constructive and respectful manner.
- Actively participate in company meetings, conferences and industry events.
- Responsible Investment
- Work closely with Responsible Investment colleagues to ensure related risks and opportunities are reflected appropriately within investment research.
- Support the implementation of Border to Coast's Responsible Investment policies, including the assessment of labelled bonds and sustainability-related opportunities.
- Strategic Projects
- Play a leading role in delivering strategic team initiatives and continuous improvement projects.
- Collaborate with Risk, Responsible Investment and Equity Research teams to support an integrated investment approach.
About you - and the value you'll bring to our team
We are seeking investment professionals with curiosity and a passion for financial markets. The ideal candidate will have relevant credit research experience (banking, private credit, sell-side, buy-side or rating agency). In addition, you will be able to demonstrate:
- Strong written and verbal communication and presentation skills to share ideas and influence portfolio outcomes.
- Willingness to collaborate with and learn from others to develop investment ideas, refine processes, and share constructive feedback.
- Ability to distil a wide range of often conflicting information in a concise and cohesive manner.
- Willingness to take risk when making recommendations and to have your investment thesis respectfully challenged.
- The ability to recognise when unexpected developments require your recommendation to change.
- Sound knowledge of Responsible Investment principles and of the characteristics of labelled bonds, use-of-proceeds verification and impact reporting.
- Effective IT skills required for the job role, including Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Bloomberg.
- Planning, organisation, time and data management and administrative capabilities.
- You're a pro-active, self-motivated team player with the ability to manage an interesting and variable workload and be willing to assist and support other team members when required.
Candidates who are either CFA-qualified or working towards the designation will be preferred.
Why join Border to Coast?
At Border to Coast, you will receive competitive remuneration and have access to excellent benefits:
- Vitality Health Insurance for all employees
- Employee Assistance Programme
- A generous holiday allowance of 30 days a year, plus bank holidays
- Professional Development including the opportunity to gain fully funded qualifications (e.g. IMC)
- Critical Illness Cover
- Pension scheme
- Stunning Leeds city centre location only a short walk to the train station
- Cycle to work scheme
- Life Assurance of 6 times of salary
- Sustainable travel plans
- Range of discounts for Leeds gyms, shops and restaurants
- Hybrid working
We welcome applications from people of all experience levels and backgrounds and value diversity of thought. We are committed to creating an inclusive and engaging workplace, ensuring that colleagues maintain a work life balance. We encourage colleagues to progress, be themselves and be their best through both personal and professional development.
If you have a disability, or if you have a condition that you believe may affect your performance during our selection process, we would be happy to discuss making reasonable adjustments to our processes for you.
We're looking for people with the right values, behaviours, skills and experiences and if you meet some of the role's criteria and are interested in finding out more about Border to Coast and the team, we'd love to hear from you.
Credit Research Manager in London employer: Border to Coast
At Border to Coast, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a collaborative and inclusive work culture that values integrity and sustainability. Our Leeds office provides a supportive environment where employees can thrive, with flexible working options and opportunities for professional growth in the financial sector. Join us in making a meaningful impact as we secure the pensions of over a million people, while enjoying the benefits of working with an award-winning team dedicated to innovation and excellence.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Credit Research Manager in London
✨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 Border to Coast. 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 Credit Research Manager in London
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 Border to Coast.
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 Border to Coast'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 Border to Coast
✨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 Border to Coast.
✨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 Border to Coast 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 Border to Coast 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.
