Multi-Manager Analyst | Multi-Manager Portfolios at Allan Gray Proprietary Limited

Role summary

• We are an investment manager focused on generating long term wealth for our clients. Our retail business consists of a fund manager as well as an investment platform. This role forms part of a newly established multi-manager business unit, with the initial aim of providing independent financial advisers with investment solutions that comprehensively address their investment advice process needs.
• The successful candidate will play an important role in supporting the day to day management and growth of our multi-manager offering. This Cape Town based role reports to the Head of Multi-Manager Portfolios who, in turn, reports to the Head of Platform and Adviser Proposition. Experience in a multi-management, discretionary fund management, or asset consulting environment is a prerequisite. The successful candidate will combine analytical, research, governance, reporting and project management responsibilities in a small team environment. 

Role responsibilities

Investment research and portfolio construction:

• Support the Head of Multi-Manager Portfolios on manager research and portfolio oversight activities.
• Qualitative and quantitative analysis and screening of underlying managers and funds, including maintenance of an up to date view of funds and managers on the ‘bench’ and flow trends.
• Maintain manager research databases, scorecards, due diligence documentation and investment monitoring frameworks.
• Participate in manager meetings, research discussions and investment committee processes.
• Support the preparation of investment recommendations, research notes, reports, and analysis for investment decision-making.
• Assist with portfolio reviews, asset allocation analysis and performance attribution.
• Act as a sounding board and secondary reviewer on manager research and portfolio decisions.
• Engagements with fund managers as required to give effect to changes to agreements, fee arrangements, and regulatory changes impacting the multi-manager portfolios.

Governance and operations:

• Own and maintain the governance framework supporting the multi-manager portfolios.
• Coordinate investment committee documentation, agendas, minutes and action tracking.
• Maintain investment policies, mandates and research records.
• Ensure manager reviews, due diligence processes and governance requirements are completed on schedule.
• Support regulatory and compliance-related requirements relevant to the multi-manager portfolios.
• Ongoing monitoring of underlying managers and funds, including for daily flags, allocation breaches, and identification of potential liquidity concerns.
• Definition and implementation of an extended and automated validation and control framework. 
• Proactive handling of any pressing operational matters with the underlying managers, including liquidity concerns, liaising with internal and external parties as required.

Reporting:

• Take primary responsibility for all multi-manager reporting requirements, including the gathering, collation, transformation and validation of data from internal sources and third party managers.
• Produce portfolio performance reports, investment committee packs, quarterly board reports and management information.
• Coordinate regulatory reporting and data submissions.
• Preparation and quality control of factsheets, presentations and marketing collateral, including supporting the drafting of quarterly commentaries, the gathering of the required information from the underlying managers, monthly performance reporting calculations, and data validation and sign-off prior to publication.
• Act as the central point of coordination between investments, operations, compliance, marketing and distribution teams.

Product development and project management:

• Perform market research and support the drafting of business cases and proposals.
• Work in collaboration with other business units, supporting the launch and implementation of new multi-manager portfolios, as well as initiatives which integrate the multi-manager offering with the financial advice process and streamline the implementation thereof on our investment platform.

Experience and qualifications

Experience and qualifications

• Five years of relevant industry experience, at least three of which must be within a multi-management, discretionary fund management, asset consulting, or related investment environment.
• Demonstrated exposure to manager research, portfolio analysis or investment consulting activities.
• Relevant degree in Finance, Investments, Economics, Actuarial Science, Mathematics, Statistics or a related field.
• Progress toward or completion of CFA, CAIA or similar investment qualification preferred.

Attributes required

• Strong investment analysis and quantitative skills.
• Good understanding of portfolio construction principles and manager research methodologies. Exposure to portfolio implementation preferred.
• Familiarity with investment data, reporting processes and systems.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly and effectively to a range of audiences.
• Strong technical skills, including usage of Excel and other applicable software systems.
• Ability to work in a small team environment where it is necessary to prioritise and balance different responsibilities while working toward tight deadlines