AVP/VP, Investment Strategist

AllianceBernstein (AB) is a leading global investment-management firm that offers high-quality research and diversified investment services to institutional investors, financial intermediaries and private-wealth clients in major global markets. Our client base includes some of the world’s leading institutions as well as private-wealth clients and retail investors. We maintain research, portfolio-management, wealth-management and client-service offices around the world, reflecting our global capabilities and the needs of our clients. Partnering closely with clients, our research and portfolio management teams collaborate across asset classes, regions, sectors, and investment strategies to spark new thinking and deliver superior outcomes. We foster an inclusive environment that offers opportunities for team members to continually learn, develop their skills and take on new challenges to progress in their careers.

Client Group Overview

The Client Group has a presence in the Americas, Europe, Asia and Australia, and is composed of five main areas:

1. Sales & Client Services works with financial intermediaries and institutions to offer diversified investment solutions that help clients build and preserve their wealth.
2. Business Development is a conduit to the firm’s investment teams and supports our clients and internal business partners through investment-platform and product content, messaging, competitive analysis and education.
3. Product Strategy & Development designs, develops and manages the firm’s global lineup of investment services and considers clients’ evolving needs to identify new opportunities.
4. Marketing promotes the firm and its services by creating, packaging and distributing content and messaging to engage diverse audiences through digital platforms and initiatives, strategic campaigns, and events.
5. Business Transformation looks to evolve and scale our business, leveraging digital and data, to drive top-line growth and improve profitability.

Job Summary

AB’s Multi-Asset & Hedge Fund Solutions (MAHFS) business development team includes approximately 20 professionals including product management and investment strategists. The Investment Strategist will be part of AB’s multi-asset business development effort in the EMEA region. Key partners (support and collaboration) will include the broader MA BD group, multi-asset investment teams, other regional BD leaders (e.g. equity and fixed income), regional management, and the AB salesforce.

Job Description

Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to:

1. Report to the VP/Investment Strategist, MAHFS Business development EMEA, primarily interacting with the product team, senior investment professionals and the global sales force.
2. Focus on the positioning, marketing, and servicing for the multi-asset platform, which includes a suite of outcome-oriented and thematic strategies such as income and emerging markets as well as custom solutions.
3. Grow and support the multi-asset retail and institutional business in EMEA.
4. Over time, become a spokesperson for assigned investment teams with the ability to present a deep understanding of the investment process, market outlook, and strong advocate for the services (e.g. Portfolio Specialist).
5. Understand overall region/channel strategies to communicate priorities to broader team and members of investment management.
6. Collaborate with Portfolio Managers to create/improve RFP language, assist on/review RFPs, and answer advisor/relationship manager questions on specific sales opportunities.
7. Partner with Product Development on new products (or enhancement of existing products) for various regions/channels.
8. Identify areas for thought leadership that connect with their product responsibilities.

Job Qualifications & Key Attributes

We seek a professional with a good understanding of multi-asset markets and investment approaches:

1. Asset allocation, portfolio construction and risk management techniques.
2. Retail fund design and new product launches and distribution channels.
3. UK defined contribution marketplace, regulation and distribution a plus.
4. Contacts with key product selection decision makers in the region a definite plus.

The ideal candidate should have:

1. Language: Fluent in English; other European languages a plus.
2. Strong business development skills and client orientation.
3. Strong marketing and messaging skills, with the vision to create and maintain a compelling story for the firm's multi-asset business and individual products.
4. A desire to interact directly with both internal and external clients and to influence their product knowledge and support our sales efforts.
5. Strategic capabilities coupled with strong execution skills.
6. Effective presentation skills and stage presence.
7. 7-10 years of relevant experience.
8. Advanced degree and relevant certifications a plus.

Location: London

London, UK