Senior Fund Analyst at Morningstar

About The Role

• Working as part of a multi-disciplinary team, you will provide expert manager research advice across our retail client base comprising Independent Financial Advisors (IFAs) in South Africa. The role is focussed on helping clients construct and maintain high quality investment propositions. In addition to providing well-structured manager lists for clients, this advice may include the management of model portfolios. Reporting to the SA Portfolio Manager and working closely with colleagues in the SA Research and Investment team, you will take a lead role, working as a Generalist in our fund research and selection process. This will include contributing to new ideas as well as the monitoring of local and global funds. Working closely with the Portfolio Specialist Director, you will also be responsible for managing a number of our key client relationships. This will include the monitoring of their Funds and / or Model Portfolios, management of buy and approved list funds, preparing quarterly commentary and reports, investment and portfolio committee presentations, as well as meeting with them on a regular basis to review their investments. This position is based in our Cape Town office.

Job Responsibilities

• Research and select third-party investment managers for clients and deliver regular reports on these managers.
• Work with colleagues in our SA Research and Investment as well as Sales teams to provide expert advice and an excellent service to clients.
• Assume responsibility for a portion of manager buy and approved lists covering one or more asset classes.
• Build and maintain an intimate level of knowledge on SA retail investment universe, providing regular feedback on industry and manager updates.
• Support investment reporting activity, including written commentary on funds and portfolios.
• Analyse and monitor funds within solutions, using a combination of Morningstar Direct and face to face meetings with fund managers
• Support the investment decision process, providing analysis and rationale for manager selection.
• Apply manager selection process on funds in portfolios.
• Assist with the evolution of all aspects of the investment advice structure and processes.
• Assist with prospecting and presenting technical material to varied audiences.
• Promote Investment Management through speaking at industry conferences, client events, roadshows, and due diligence days
• Engage with specific T1 client relationships for the Investment Management group in South Africa consistent with the group’s Investment Principles and investment views.

Qualifications

• Deep knowledge of the SA Investment landscape and asset management industry
• Experience analysing external portfolio managers
• Experience interviewing fund managers
• Experience interacting with platforms
• Significant relevant investment experience
• An experienced and competent presenter
• Comfortable working in a quantitative environment and a desire for continuous learning.
• Extensive experience liaising with IFAs and their clients.
• An understanding of asset allocation techniques.
• Broad understanding of macroeconomics and the workings of the financial markets and all traditional asset classes.
• A general knowledge of the retail, adviser, and institutional investment fund industry.
• An undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in finance or economics and/or an MBA in a relevant area; Chartered Financial Analyst® designation is strongly preferred.