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

This job is with Santander UK, an inclusive employer and a member of myGwork – the largest global platform for the LGBTQ+ business community.

Country: United Kingdom

IT STARTS HERE

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 focused, customer first, growth asset manager to serve the local market, providing solutions to meet UK customers and institutions. Our behaviours underpin everything we do; we think clients, embrace change, act now, move together and speak up.

THE DIFFERENCE YOU MAKE

Santander Asset Management are looking for a Senior Portfolio Manager (Emerging Market Corporate Bond Fund), based out of 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. To succeed in this role, you will be responsible for:

• 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.

WHAT YOU'LL BRING

Our people are our greatest strength. Every individual contributes unique perspectives that make us stronger as a team and as an organisation. We're enabling teams to go beyond by valuing who they are and empowering what they bring. The following requirements represent the knowledge, skills, and abilities essential for success in this role. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• 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.

Education

Whilst a degree is not essential for the role provided there is a strong professional track record in Emerging Market corporate bond portfolios, it is considered advantageous for the role holder to have a master's degree (or equivalent) in Engineering, Business Administration, Economics, Mathematics, or related disciplines. Professional certifications such as CFA, CAIA, or equivalent will be considered highly desirable.

WE VALUE YOUR IMPACT

At Santander Asset Management, your contribution matters. We recognise the difference you make every day, and we make sure you feel valued, supported and rewarded in return. Here, recognition goes beyond pay. It's about the pride you feel in your work, the impact you make for our clients, and the opportunities you have to grow and thrive - personally and professionally.

How we'll reward you.

We know rewards go beyond numbers. Our benefits are designed to support you, your family and your wellbeing, now and into the future. As well as a competitive salary and performance-related bonus, we offer a wide range of benefits that you can choose from and tailor to your needs.

OUR COMMITMENT

At Santander, we're proud to be an inclusive organisation that provides equal opportunities for everyone - regardless of age, gender, disability, civil status, race, religion or sexual orientation. We're committed to creating a recruitment experience that's accessible, fair and welcoming for all candidates. We want our people to thrive - at work and at home - while delivering the best outcomes for our customers and supporting each other to grow.

Right to work in the UK

Every individual must have the right to work in the UK to commence employment with Santander either by way of nationality, visa or work permit. If you do require a working visa / permit this will not influence our decision on whether to progress your application. However, if you do not have a right to work, or an application for a working visa / permit is unsuccessful, Santander will not proceed with your application and will withdraw any conditional offer previously made.

WHAT TO DO NEXT

If this sounds like a role you are interested in, then please apply. If there's anything we can do in the recruitment process to help you achieve your best, get in touch. Whether it's a copy of our application form in another format or additional assistance, we're available through email. You can contact us at resourcing@santander.co.uk.