Manager Research Analyst

Job Advert Summary

Who we are:

PPS Investments is part of the PPS Group, which for over 8 decades has been the trusted financial partner for graduate professionals in South Africa. Unlike a company that is listed on a stock exchange, PPS belongs to its members and operates under the ethos of mutuality. This means that qualifying members can exclusively share in the profits of the Group, through the unique PPS Profit-Share Account.

PPS Investments exists to create and grow the wealth of graduate professionals and their families to live the lives they want in a world worth living in. We offer diversified and flexible investment solutions that are mutually beneficial to our clients in the long run because we believe that success is better shared.

Purpose of the job:

Senior sector lead on key ASISA Categories, to help drive business and investment decision making and support viable manager buy-list for Portfolio Construction.

You are required to have mastery of and ability to deliver relevant, timely and accurate assessments of manager strategies in your designated sectors; motivate manager strategies for inclusion on investment-team buy-list; engage with & inspire confidence in investment due diligence process through credible engagement with relevant stakeholders including investment team, asset managers, internal distribution and consulting clients. This is an opportunity to bring your unique skill set and experience and share in the growth and evolution of an established and dynamic investment team.

In addition, should you meet the required regulatory requirements, you will have explicit portfolio management responsibilities for the hedge fund solution and be instrumental in taking these solutions to market.

Minimum Requirements

Ideal experience:

• At least 10 years manager research experience within the multi-manager, fund of funds or asset consulting environment; experience in non-traditional asset classes and sustainability preferred.
• Relevant KI responsibility on Cat 2A license is a distinct advantage.

Ideal qualifications:

• BCom (Hons) / Business Science degree majoring in Finance, Economics, Financial Analysis or Portfolio Management
• CAIA, CFA or related studies beneficial
• Key individual with Cat 2A experience

Competencies and ideal personality attributes:

• Self-starter & ability to hit the ground running
• Ability to focus on what is relevant & material, plus obsessive attention to detail
• Openness to challenging and being challenged by members of investment team
• Questioning and inquiring mind that takes pleasure in figuring things out
• Strong presentation, verbal and written skills
• Confidence in articulating and defending a position

Systems knowledge:

Working knowledge of Microsoft Office essential, FactSet and Morningstar preferred.

Duties and Responsibilities

Main duties and responsibilities:

• Proactive maintenance of relevant ASISA categories with explicit and relevant engagement with key stakeholders including quants analyst and portfolio managers; Ensure that we have appropriate coverage of the universe & have working knowledge of the relevant strategies included in the category.
• Portfolio Management and Key Individual Responsibilities on the PPS Fund of hedge fund solutions, including KI Category 2A supervision and client engagement, provided you meet the required regulatory requirements.
• Responsible for identifying potential managers for the PPS single managed partnership range and for maintaining research & the relationship with select incumbent partnership managers.
• Detailed understanding of asset manager strategies locally and globally.
• Regular assessments on potential and incumbent manager strategies with explicit involvement of head of research.
• Build strong relationships with your underlying asset managers and remain up to date with industry changes.
• Produce ad hoc research reports relevant to needs of business and clients that will require innovative thinking.
• Continuously question the status quo, providing solutions to enhance the process and the tools that we use; drive changes required for categories assigned to you.
• Inspire confidence in manager research by insightful presentation to clients as and when required.
• Share insights on the PPS Investment value proposition and capability, industry related topics and the various aspects of the manager research.