Investment Director - Senior Investment Specialist

At M&G our vision is: to become the best loved and most successful savings and investment business and we're looking for people who are excited about joining us on our journey. We're digitally transforming and investing heavily in technology and innovation to develop new and improved customer propositions that really raise the bar for our customers. To help us achieve our vision we're looking for exceptional people who live our values and behaviours and who can inspire others; embrace change; deliver results and keep it simple.

We know that an inclusive environment makes us more accessible and ensures we attract, engage, promote and retain exceptional people. We welcome applications from all individuals regardless of age, gender/gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity/nationality, disability, or military service and welcome those who have taken career breaks. We will consider flexible working arrangements or home working arrangements for any of our roles and also offer work place accommodations to ensure you have what you need to effectively deliver in your role.

What you can expect from us:
We are committed to creating an environment where you can be exceptional at all you do. To help us deliver this, we promise to:

• Challenge Your Limits by creating a stimulating working environment and providing opportunities for you to be involved in meaningful and challenging work
• Support Your Aspirations with a commitment to learning and development that helps you achieve and build your experience with people who want you to succeed
• Value Your Input whereby leaders and managers will involve you in key decisions, listen to your thoughts and recognise the important contribution you make
• Balance Your Life through a work life partnership that focuses on making this an inclusive, diverse and friendly place to work and offers the flexibility and support that enables everyone to be at their best

How do we support our employees:
All M&G plc employees will be supported in the workplace through our M&G Employee Assistance Programme (EAP). If you need counselling, confidential financial or legal advice. The service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and offers access to qualified professionals who can provide specialist information, advice and support on many issues. It offers a broad range of services, including help with family issues, maintaining work/life balance and mental health support.

The Role:
We are looking for an experienced Investment Specialist to work as an Investment Director in the Equities business in London. The role has arisen because of the strong client interest in the Global Listed Infrastructure and the Global Themes strategies managed by Alex Araujo in the Global Equities team. The successful candidate will report into Ana Cuddeford, Investment Director, Head of Wholesale Investment Specialists
Investment specialists are embedded in the investment teams and work with the fund managers to articulate investment messages to internal audiences (sales and marketing teams) and external clients. The role is designed to facilitate long-term growth in the business by providing investment input into distribution activities, as well as supporting the client service required to retain existing assets under management.
This is an excellent opportunity for a creative, efficient and highly commercial professional to contribute to and influence high profile products, gain exposure to global and ESG practice and join a collaborative, growing and experienced team.

Key Responsibilities for this role:
The successful candidate will be responsible for all aspects of the investment specialist role for the Global Listed Infrastructure and Global Themes strategies, working closely with fund manager Alex Araujo. Detailed knowledge of the investment philosophy and process is a prerequisite, as well as a strong understanding of the companies in which the funds are invested. As an integral member of the investment team, clients expect in-depth knowledge of stocks and financial markets, and a close affinity with the role of risk management and ESG in the investment process. Investment specialists also act as a bridge between the investment and sales teams. Commercial awareness is a necessity, together with a firm grasp of the pressures in the fund management industry.
There are three parts to the Investment Specialist role in the income team:
Messaging of investment content

• To create clear, succinct messages tailored for the audience.
• To deliver high-quality written content in the form of regular fund reports (covering drivers of performance, portfolio activity and fund positioning) and ad-hoc marketing materials (to support promotional campaigns), as well as timely responses to client queries, RFPs and press requests.
• To oversee the production of presentation materials for client meetings and marketing events.
• To generate ideas and create new content which can be distributed across different channels to enhance the investment story.

Client facing activity

• To represent the investment team in client meetings: introductory or update meetings in one-to-ones or main platform events.
• To work with the sales teams to develop long-term client relationships and maximise the commercial opportunity on a global scale.
• To provide feedback for internal teams on client interest for new product ideas.

Commercial planning

• To create a marketing plan (based on the marketing capacity provided by fund managers and investment specialists) which is sustainable over the long term by balancing the need for client service with the desire to pursue new business opportunities.
• To manage the fund managers' marketing time by approving client meeting requests and monitoring marketing hours.
• To set marketing budgets for fund managers in most demand, incorporating priorities and preferences highlighted by the business.
• To develop new sources of revenue by launching new products or extending existing investment capability to deliver on the business aim of multiplying client solutions.

Key Knowledge, Skills & Experience:

• Experience in financial markets (at least 10 years), preferably in the fund management industry in an investment or specialist role.
• CFA preferable.
• Knowledge and passion for investing, as well as a grasp of the challenges of investing.
• Commercial awareness - an understanding of industry dynamics, as well as familiarity with the wholesale and institutional client base.
• Written and verbal communication skills - ability to explain complex investment themes in simple language to a range of audiences.
• Messaging skills - ability to focus on key issues without elaborating on superfluous detail.
• Numerical and analytical skills - ability to deliver on the detail demanded by clients.
• Attention to detail - precision and rigour in the execution of tasks.
• Strong work ethic -driven by results and achievements.
• Organisational skills - ability to manage a wide range of tasks and shifting priorities.
• Time management skills - ability to meet deadlines.
• Interpersonal skills - ability to build strong relationships with stakeholders, manage expectations and provide solutions in situations of conflict.
• Proactive nature - ability to foresee future requirements and act accordingly.
• Self-starter - a dynamic professional who can work autonomously.
• Team player - ability to make a positive contribution to the vision of the income team and the Investment Specialists team.
• Entrepreneurial attitude with ambition, drive and resilience.
• Language skills are highly desirable, especially German.

Key Work Level Accountabilities - Manager or Expert

• For people managers, accountable for managing and motivating others to ensure quality of delivery to customers and stakeholders
• For technical specialists, accountable for delivering expert advice or service, using specialist knowledge and subject matter expertise
• Applies judgement to deliver outcomes, evaluating a range of potential solutions, considering the impact for customers, cost and risk
• Manages conflicts that may impact delivery
• Challenges upwards given knowledge of delivery and awareness of complex systems and the broader picture
• Identifies and anticipates need for changes to continuously improve quality and efficiency of output
• Manages resources and risks using expert judgment, know-how and experience

Work Level: Manager / Expert
Recruiter Name: Suzie Threlfall
Closing Date: 19th August 2022

We live by four behaviours at M&G and we ask all our employees to:

• Inspire Others - Support and encourage each other, creating an environment where everyone can contribute and succeed
• Embrace Change - Be open to change, willing to be challenged and able to adapt quickly and imaginatively to new ideas
• Deliver Results - Focus on outcomes, set high standards and deliver with energy and determination
• Keep it Simple - Cut through complexity and bureaucracy, be clear and decisive and never overcomplicate things