Front Office Control Analyst Trainee (Investment 20/20 Program)

AXA; London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000

Job description

Company Overview

Our ambition is to be a leading responsible asset manager.

At AXA IM, our purpose, to act for human progress by investing for what matters, is central to every action we take as a business.

As a responsible asset manager, we actively invest for the long-term to help our clients, our people and the world to prosper.

Our conviction-led approach enables us to uncover what we believe to be the best global investment opportunities across alternative and core asset classes. We are already entrusted with €844 billion in assets (as of end of December 2023).

Working as part of the AXA Group, a world leader in financial protection, our team of over 2,700 people (as of end of December 2023) around the world combine a range of specialist skills and experience to best serve the needs of our clients.

The combination of responsible, active and long-term defines our investment philosophy, but also how we run our business, what underpins our clients’ partnerships with us, and what drives our people.

Being responsible is in our DNA as a firm and is central to our ethos as an employer. It is embedded in how we grow and protect our people. It unites our team, from our leaders, to our growing number of specialists, to the newest members of our teams.

Careers at AXA IM

Empowering our people to drive progress. As part of a responsible, progressive organisation, our people help us to invest for what matters. Everyone in our diverse, global family shares this responsibility. Together our people push boundaries and drive forward ideas. They’re willing to be bold and take the lead, using initiative and enterprise to create exceptional service. The kind of service that seeks to drive long-term prosperity for our clients, society and the world we live in.

Diversity and Inclusion

Thrive within a diverse community. At AXA IM, inclusion and diversity are closely linked to our values and to our culture of respect for employees, clients and the communities around us. We always aim to create an environment where everyone feels they belong, are included and can thrive within a diverse community.

Programme Information

You will join as a trainee as part of the Investment20/20 one-year trainee programme. While we can’t guarantee a permanent position at the end of the 12-month contract, if you perform well & if we have an open position available at the time, then permanent employment could be a possibility. The Investment20/20 trainee programme is offered by many investment management firms and 75% of the 2,500 Investment20/20 trainees are offered permanent positions at the end of the one year.

As a trainee, you will be introduced to investment management and you will gain industry knowledge, experience and develop relationships to progress your career and develop skills to secure a permanent role. We will support you in achieving/starting a professional qualification if this is something you are interested in doing (most firms offer it and we highly recommend doing so). As part of the Investment20/20 programme, you will have opportunities to meet and network with over 300 trainees across the industry and participate in socials and insight events. Our trainee programme is a fixed term one-year contract paying £26,000. You will receive 27 days annual leave. All roles are based in London.

The Team

AXA IM Core 1st Line Oversight & Governance plays a key role in supporting the smooth running and development of AXA IM Core through the following main missions:

1. Be a protective 1st level Business Controls Unit/First Line of Defense for Investment & Trading activity globally, maintaining an appropriate and tailored governance model with Senior Management, Heads of Investment, Heads of Trading Desks and 2nd/3rd line control functions from Compliance, Risk and Audit.
2. Contribute to the development of AXA IM CORE portfolio management activities and order execution – across multiple asset classes and investment/trading regions internationally.
3. In partnership with the different AXA IM support functions, contribute to the various transformation initiatives, helping create a robust operational environment capable of supporting daily activity, business development ambitions and management of regulatory change.
4. Contribute to the oversight of Investment & Trading teams, helping design, maintain and report various control indicators as the organization's activities and structure evolves.

Responsibilities Include

As part of the AXA IM 1st Line Oversight & Governance team, the Intern will work closely with the team in the UK & France, staying in contact with European, Asia and US-based Portfolio Managers & Traders; on the following key activities:

1. Developing in-depth knowledge of the different investment products, order generation and trade execution methods to be able to understand and follow up on their associated risks.
2. Control of Investment Management & Trading activity by working with large data sets within workflow systems to check adherence to front office portfolio management and execution control processes.
3. Compilation of key management information to identify and escalate control-related business risks for presentation to Heads of Investments and Trading Senior Managers within AXA IM Core’s Committee and Forum governance structure.
4. Help drive best practice and synergies across investment teams and trading desks to unify the control testing framework and processes as one platform.
5. Support the Co-Heads of AXA IM First Line Control with project management of enhancements to processes, optimization of 1st line controls (portfolio managers and trader activity) by leveraging on the large amount of data available.
6. Further automate control dashboard reporting to provide a dynamic and consolidated view to management on the control performed on their activity.
7. Liaison with external brokers within capital markets to act as the first point of contact for AXA IM Core and coordinate with Compliance & Portfolio Managers on any incoming market sounding requests.

Skills and Requirements

The placement program is aimed at undergraduate or postgraduate students who have the option to take up to a year out in industry or a series of internships as part of their degree.

• Expected minimum 2:1 degree (or equivalent) at an accredited college or university.
• Understanding of the asset management industry with a particular interest in portfolio management & trading.
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills to interact with senior Front Office personnel.
• Proficient use of MS PowerPoint, Excel & business intelligence software such as Tableau, Power-BI for the creation of senior management dashboards.
• Capacity to evolve in a diverse, multi-cultural global context.
• Beneficial to have experience of using SQL, Python.
• Self-motivated with drive & strong record of achievement.