Senior Portfolio Manager | Emerging Market Corporate Bond Fund | SAM UK | London

The Senior Portfolio Manager, Emerging Market Corporate Bond Fund will lead the build‑out and management of a new EM corporate bond fund, established from scratch with the potential support of internal seeding. The role is based in London with a UK and global remit. This is a senior, entrepreneurial role with a high degree of autonomy possible. In addition to leading portfolio management and credit analysis, you will be central to building the fund from the ground up, shaping the strategy, establishing the investment process, and growing assets across retail and institutional channels. We are looking for a rounded portfolio manager who combines investment excellence with the commercial drive to build a business and sell to both retail and institutional clients. You will leverage the firm's strong fixed‑income capabilities in LATAM and our global credit and macro teams, positioning the strategy within a genuinely global EM platform. The role is integral to our ambition to become a leading name in EM fixed income globally. We're shaping the way we work through innovation, cutting‑edge technology, collaboration and the freedom to explore new ideas.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, launch and ongoing management of a new Emerging Market Corporate Bond Fund, taking full responsibility for portfolio construction, performance and risk management.
• Develop and implement the fund's investment philosophy, process and governance framework, ensuring a disciplined and repeatable approach to portfolio management.
• Conduct fundamental credit research and security selection across the EM corporate bond universe, leveraging internal macro, sovereign and regional fixed‑income expertise.
• Build and establish the strategy as a market‑leading EM corporate bond franchise, driving innovation and identifying new investment opportunities.
• Partner closely with distribution teams to raise assets across institutional and retail channels, actively supporting client engagement, presentations and business development initiatives.
• Represent the strategy internally and externally as the lead portfolio manager, contributing thought leadership and enhancing the firm's profile in Emerging Market fixed income.
• Collaborate with global investment teams, particularly LATAM fixed income, global credit and macro specialists, to generate differentiated investment insights and portfolio outcomes.
• Establish robust portfolio monitoring, risk management and performance attribution processes, ensuring compliance with regulatory and internal investment guidelines.
• Contribute to the strategic growth of the firm's Emerging Markets fixed‑income platform, helping position the business as a leading global provider of EM investment solutions.
• Mentor and develop investment talent as the strategy grows, fostering a collaborative, high‑performance investment culture.

Qualifications

• Extensive portfolio management experience in Emerging Market corporate debt, with a strong, demonstrable investment track record and deep knowledge of EM credit markets.
• Strong credit analysis, portfolio construction and risk management expertise, with the ability to develop and execute successful investment strategies.
• Commercially astute with experience supporting asset growth through client engagement, business development and presenting to institutional and retail investors.
• Entrepreneurial, self‑motivated and able to operate autonomously, with the capability to build and grow an investment strategy from inception.
• Excellent collaboration, communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to work across global investment teams and represent the strategy credibly both internally and externally.
• A deep professional track record in Emerging Market corporate bond portfolios; a master’s degree (or equivalent) in Engineering, Business Administration, Economics, Mathematics, or related disciplines is advantageous.
• Professional certifications such as CFA, CAIA, or equivalent are highly desirable.

Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Company Information

Santander Asset Management (SAM) is a €280bn global asset manager operating across 10 countries and with more than 50 years of experience. SAM combines the best of complementary worlds, technology and expertise, to provide optimal solutions for clients. We deliver a simple, innovative and transparent service with a sole objective: offer our clients a comprehensive range of products with the right balance between risk and return. As SAM UK, we are building a more commercially focussed, customer first, growth asset manager to serve the local market, providing solutions to meet UK customers and institutions.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and discretionary performance‑related annual bonus.
• Hybrid ways of working – flexibility to work from home 2 days per week (on average).
• We put 8% of salary into your pension even if you don't contribute yourself, and up to 12.5% if you do.
• 30 days’ holiday plus.