Senior Implementation Portfolio Manager in City of London

Business Unit: Investment Division

Role Summary

The overall purpose of this position will be to provide implementation support for Russell's global multi-manager/asset/alternatives business, contributing to the overall strategy development and implementation for portfolios. The position will be expected to innovate daily processing, drive process and technology enhancements, implement operational policies, as well as perform daily functions/tasks. Daily functions include, but are not limited to, validating portfolio information, analysing portfolios in relation to market movements and product specifications, recommending and negotiating implementation options with portfolio managers and coordinating trade execution. In addition, the Senior IPM will initiate conversations with external investment managers to discuss, arrange and agree trading details. The Senior IPM will interact on a real-time basis with Russell portfolio managers, operations associates, client service associates, overlay portfolio managers, foreign exchange portfolio managers and global traders on exposure adjustments, timing, and execution details.

The responsibilities of the individual in this position include:

• Portfolio Management: Providing liquidity analysis, exposure analysis and implementation recommendations to Russell Portfolio Managers. Accountable for day-to-day implementation of physical and derivatives strategies as instructed by Portfolio Managers. Creating and sometimes executing orders. Ensuring timely implementation and execution.
• Implementation: Key resource for the implementation for those asset classes with real-time coordination/facilitation with internal and/or external parties (portfolio analysts, portfolio managers, traders, investment managers, external fund administrations, custodians and brokers). Contributing to overall strategy development and implementation for portfolios to help generate superior investment performance in Russell funds and separate accounts. Providing support to the Head of IPM team as it relates to the improvement of the new and existing operational infrastructure for those asset classes, including portfolio viewing, implementation and analytics.
• Portfolio Transition: Responsible for the coordination of fund and separate accounts transition events including fund launches and closures, manager changes, and new product launches/closures. Working with multiple departments to establish and manage implementation strategies as they relate to the implementation process. Ensuring efficient, risk-controlled plans for implementing investment process.
• Regulatory & Business conduct: Displaying exemplary conduct and living by our organisation’s Code of Conduct. Taking personal responsibility for embedding the highest standards of ethics, including regulatory and business conduct across the business. Effectively and collaboratively identifying, escalating, mitigating and resolving risk, conduct and compliance. Leading or inputting on any HR specific regulatory requirements including tracking of MiFID II, Senior Managers and Certification Regime population.

The successful candidate will have extensive demonstrable skills and experiences including the following:

• CFA or progress towards charter required.
• Bachelor's Degree in Finance, Economics, Mathematics, or related technical field or equivalent qualification.
• Relevant experience in the financial services, preferred trading and investment operations or equivalent.
• Advanced understanding of securities markets with background in Multi-Asset trading and Alternatives.
• In-depth knowledge of equity, fixed income, and/or foreign exchange investment process.
• Strong knowledge of custodian and investment accounting processes.
• In-depth understanding and application of markets and technical issues related to all asset types and potential vehicles types that support the investment process of the client.
• Ability to partner with associates across all trading desks to develop, communicate and implement required execution strategies.
• Skill to use advanced quantitative techniques and technology to research and develop sources of return and models to drive investment strategies.
• Ability to embed proprietary insights into front office investment systems, for the purpose of delivering stronger returns, greater efficiency and scale, and controlling risk.
• Uses technology in combination with investment process to provide clear attribution analytics that supports client communication and internal metrics.
• Self-starter who is able to prioritise workloads, operate under tight deadlines, and able to maintain poise under pressure.
• Advanced knowledge of global financial markets, portfolio management techniques, and investments.
• Understands continuous assessment processes to minimise unintended risk exposures; risks taken should be well understood linked directly to expected “active” return in portfolio.
• Strong presentation, client service and communication skills (oral and written).