Investment Analyst at Old Mutual South Africa

Job Description

• This role is responsible for research, modelling, analysis and provision of relevant information for listed and unlisted asset classes, as well as for making recommendations on alternative investments. The incumbent is individually accountable for achieving results through own efforts.

Key Result Areas

• Old Mutual’s Investment Strategy Team has an exciting opportunity for a suitably qualified investment professional to join the team. The Investment Strategy Team is responsible for the strategic management and oversight of assets invested on behalf of Old Mutual’s customers – with a specific focus on life-wrapped discretionary investment products in South Africa and also in our Africa regions.
• We are looking for a talented and hard-working individual with excellent analytical and quantitative skills, an in-depth understanding of investments, and the ability to interact effectively with people at all levels of the organization.

Duties and Responsibilities include:

• Designing, implementing and monitoring policyholder investment strategies, with a particular focus on quantitative modelling, investment and asset class analysis and strategic allocation
• Ensuring that investment strategies are structured to meet policyholder needs and expectations, including requirements for investment returns, risk management, diversification, liquidity and other relevant factors.
• Evaluation of new investment opportunities, including in traditional and alternative asset classes.
• Assisting with setting and monitoring investment mandates and performance, including setting benchmarks and performance targets and setting risk limits.
• Working with the Old Mutual Investments (OMI) on strategic investment initiatives in order to enhance investment outcomes for policyholders.
• Supporting asset manager due diligence, selection, and monitoring.
• Representing policyholder interests on various investment committees.
• Preparation of investment reports and proposals which are presented to various senior internal Investment and Governance Committees.
• Ongoing research into investment industry developments and portfolio structuring techniques.
• Providing investment guidance and mandate support to other African business units.
• The role will report to the Head of Investment Strategy Team (IST).
• The position requires an individual who also has knowledge and passion for sustainability issues as well as investment processes across different asset classes. The job is suited to a candidate who is driven to deliver cutting edge research, has excellent written and Excel skills, has strong communication and presenting skills and an ability to influence and “sell” ideas.

Requirements:
Skills, Qualifications and Experience Required

• CA (SA), Qualified Actuary, MBA, or B Com plus CFA who has at least 5 years of relevant financial services and/or investment experience.
• Relevant experience includes asset consulting, legal (commercial), investment management, investment product development or other relevant field.
• Deep interest in investments and especially Alternate asset classes.
• Passion for producing great investment outcomes for clients, and for protecting them from unnecessary risks and conflicts of interests.
• Appreciation and understanding of the commercial environment in which Old Mutual operates, and the requirements of Old Mutual’s policyholders and shareholders.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and ability to build constructive relationships with key stakeholders at all levels of the organisation.
• Ability to confidently and assertively participate in committee and other group discussions to ensure that policyholder interests are clearly communicated and taken into account in investment decision making.
• Ability to produce high quality written reports with robust arguments for senior management and Investment Committee consumption.
• The ability to successfully manage and deliver multiple strategic investment initiatives.
• Excellent analytical and modelling skills.
• Self-starter with strong sense of ownership and accountability.
• The following competencies would also be advantageous:
• Strong negotiation and influence skills.
• Good understanding of the Old Mutual’s main investment product ranges (particularly the smoothed bonus & with-profit products), as well as the legislative and regulatory environment within which Old Mutual’s policyholder investments are managed.
• Strong ethos of continuous learning and research, to stay abreast of cutting edge developments in the investment management and asset ownership world.
• Knowledge of Responsible Investment and ESG as applicable to asset ownership