Investment Director

Team Overview

Schroder GAIA and Schroder GAIA II (collectively Schroder GAIA) are Schroders' dedicated liquid alternatives platforms. Product management within Schroders is a key function and the product management team for Schroder GAIA is based in London, sitting within the Product and Solutions division. The team provides a bridge between the external investment managers and distribution (the client-facing part of the business), helping to support and grow the Schroder GAIA platforms. The team takes responsibility for managing the business of Schroder GAIA. The team is also the main point of contact with the management company, marketing and product development teams within Schroders. The team is involved in a wide range of activities that span business development, sales and marketing, client reporting and servicing, and being the experts to whom the rest of Schroders will revert for enquiries on the products and services of Schroder GAIA.

Overview of role

To be a senior part of the product management team with a reporting line into the Product Director, Schroder GAIA. The role is both internally and externally facing. The role involves being a product specialist on certain funds on Schroder GAIA as well as a generalist on the platform and our liquid alternatives capability more broadly. It will also involve participation in the product development and the fund launch process. Key tasks covered by the team include: liaising with internal and external investment managers; liaising with the sales teams globally; preparation of sales and marketing literature; completion of RFPs; maintenance of product related data and marketing materials; provision of ad hoc product information and involvement with strategic projects such as new fund launches. The role will involve working closely with external hedge fund and private asset managers to develop investment propositions, presenting private assets and hedge fund investment strategies at conferences and/or client events as well as providing periodic updates to sales teams and clients in person, or via conference calls. There will be a requirement to travel abroad to see hedge fund and alternative managers and clients.

Key Responsibilities

• Work very closely with the investment and investor relations teams at private asset and hedge fund firms represented on Schroder GAIA in order to fully understand and be able to competently articulate the firm, investment strategy, team, process, positioning and outlook, what are the differences between the flagship strategy and the GAIA offering, who are the competitors, what are the unique selling points etc
• Present individual strategies as well as the Schroder GAIA platform at conferences and client events
• Liaise with sales and marketing teams, including the Alternative Sales Unit to ensure unconditional collaboration as well as interacting directly with external clients
• Attend manager roadshows/meetings along with representatives from the private assets and hedge fund firms and compile meeting notes for the team
• Provide accurate and timely responses to queries from internal and external clients
• Oversee the creation of sales and marketing material to be used by distribution for capital raising campaigns
• Be involved in the manager selection process and produce competitor analysis, demand assessment and development of business cases for new strategies
• Actively support the liquid alternatives capability, in particular for marketing collateral; including newsletters, though leadership pieces, presentations, websites etc.
• Produce materials for meetings such as GAIA Investment Committee, Group Management Committee, Product Development Committee, GAIA board and Management Company board
• Oversee the regular production of client reporting materials
• Lead client diligence meetings, including the completion of RFPs
• Maintain product knowledge and seek to understand developments in the market which will influence product development and client demand
• Be an expert on UCITS and AIFMD regulations
• Be involved in strategic projects and initiatives including investment manager on-boarding process
• Assist in the production of product financials and fees analysis

Essential Skills

• Understanding of the asset management industries, with a keen interest in private assets and hedge funds
• High level of technical knowledge in regulations e.g. UCITS/ AIFMD, fund structuring and product development and a broad knowledge of all types of hedge fund strategies
• High level of interpersonal / relationship management skills
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Demonstrable attention to detail
• Ability to work on own initiative, managing deadlines and prioritising
• Team player willing to share tasks and balance workload amongst the team
• Demonstrable analytical and numerical skills
• Proactive and flexible approach to tasks
• Microsoft Office essential, to include Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Knowledge of other systems an advantage, such as Bloomberg/Reuters, Morningstar, Lipper
• Experience with information databases an advantage, for example an RFP answer store or investment consultant asset manager information databases
• Education to degree level or equivalent
• CFA desirable

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