Head of Research at Hollard Insurance

Job Advert Summary    

• We are seeking an experienced investment professional to lead our research efforts in both manager research and portfolio construction. The candidate will oversee our team’s quantitative and qualitative research, providing insights that support and strengthen Hollard Investments' 
• strategies across our three core propositions. This role will be instrumental in advancing our research framework, optimizing research processes, and driving robust and competitive outcomes for our portfolio solutions and clients. The successful candidate will ensure our research outputs 
• align with our broader investment goals, contributing to the growth and competitive advantage of our business within the investment industry.
• This leadership position requires a strategic mindset, a commitment to research excellence, and a collaborative approach to shaping our team-based investment decisions. 

Key Responsibilities

• Manager Research
• Ensure the continuous application, improvement and maintenance of the manager 
• research framework.
• Ensure the selection of managers and underlying strategies reflects the investment team’s 
• best view across the unit trusts range, implemented solutions range, and balance sheet 
• investments.
• Communicate manager research findings effectively to the broader team.
• Identify potential managers for our 3 propositions and maintain strong relationships and 
• research on selected managers.
• Maintain a detailed understanding of asset manager strategies across traditional and 
• alternative asset classes, both locally and globally.
• Enhance and uphold a robust manager research process that covers the manager universe 
• across ASISA categories, maintaining an updated manager buy list for ease of use in 
• implemented portfolio solutions.
• Oversee manager due diligence processes to ensure robust and good selection outcomes.
• Maintain and regularly update our manager ratings dashboard, with ongoing monitoring 
• of managers across our solutions.
• Build and nurture strong relationships with asset managers and keep the investment team 
• informed on industry changes and manager-related developments.
• Portfolio Construction.
•  Ensure the continuous application, improvement and maintenance of the portfolio 
• construction framework.
• Ensure comprehensive coverage of both traditional and alternative asset classes for use in 
• portfolio construction.
• Maintain a good awareness of various market strategies that can enhance portfolio 
• construction.
• Bring innovative perspectives to portfolio construction and enhance our offering in the 
• implemented portfolio solutions space.
•  Produce high-quality research and insight reports on portfolio solutions.
• Take on explicit portfolio management responsibilities for alternative assets’ portfolio 
• solutions.
• Investment Committee Representation
• Serve as a member of our Investment Committee with a strong understanding of 
• traditional and alternative asset classes and the ability to develop informed asset 
• allocation views.
• Make recommendations for the selection of managers and strategies used in portfolio 
• solutions.
• Business and Brand Support
• Represent Hollard as a licensed Category I and II FAIS provider.
• Collaborate with the distribution team to raise the profile of our propositions and fund range by contributing to thought leadership articles, fund & solutions commentary, and participating in industry events and webinars.
• Client Engagements
• Assist with reporting and presentations for existing clients.
• Support the implemented portfolio solutions team in new client pitches.
• Inspire confidence in our investment process through insightful presentations on manager research and portfolio construction, as needed.
• Responsible Investing
• Work with the CIO to enhance and maintain responsible investment processes.
• Lead the annual reporting cycle to the UNPRI, ensuring accurate and timely submission
• Required Knowledge and Experience    

Experience

• A minimum of 10 years of manager research experience within multi-manager and/or asset consulting environment
• Experience in alternative asset classes and Responsible Investing will be preferred
• Relevant KI and/or Representative responsibility on CAT 2 license will be an advantage

Knowledge and Skills 

• In-depth knowledge of the investment industry, with familiarity with key industry bodies 
• such as ASISA, FSCA, etc.
• Strong understanding of both local and global investment managers.
•  Demonstrated qualitative and analytical skills.
• Proficiency in the MS Office suite.
• Working experience with investment platforms such as Morningstar, IRESS, or Bloomberg. 

Educational Requirements    
Required Education and Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in Business Science/ Finance/ Economics /Actuarial Science/ Statistics / Financial Mathematics or related degree.
• CFA candidate or charterholder 
• CAIA candidate or charterholder