Junior Credit Research Analyst

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION

Summary of Role

As an Analyst within our Credit Research Team. The key focus of the role will be to assist research efforts across traditional global credit, including global sovereign credit, global aggregate bonds, emerging markets debt and indexation. However, the team operates holistically across the credit spectrum therefore there is also an opportunity to work across smart beta, alternative and illiquid credit dependent on specific candidate qualifications. As a junior researcher, the successful candidate will have sufficient analytical skills to assist and lead on projects assessing managers and liaising with the team’s quantitative data team in Manilla on specific research or client requests. Ideally, the candidate has some experience interviewing fund managers.

The Role

In this role you will interview some of the most highly respected credit investment managers in the world, helping to form robust opinions on such areas as investment skill and the ability to meet our clients’ objectives. These views are documented and communicated to clients both directly through face-to-face meetings and via access to our comprehensive database. As a member of the Investment Manager Research team you will liaise with other consultants around the globe while also partnering with other internal businesses to service clients’ complex needs. We are continually looking for best ideas, applying asset class, manager and strategic views to develop new and innovative solutions for our clients around the world thus creativity, a strong knowledge of the credit markets and desire to improve solutions for clients will be necessary.

Performance Objectives:

Excellence

·  Meeting fund managers to evaluate investment teams, their business, investment processes and risk management. Understand expected returns and risk drivers.
·  Chair introductory manager meetings and monthly calls effectively, developing rapport and strong open-ended questioning;
·  Broaden and deepen manager knowledge across strategies;
·  Improve presentation style demonstrating confidence and clarity;
·  Look to develop points in written work, building on the story that clients can understand and highlighting our opinions on strengths and weaknesses.
·  Build relationships with external fund managers and help enhance WTW’s reputation in this industry.
·  Extracting information (qualitative and quantitative) to help drive decision making.
·  Produce detailed due diligence documents and communication of research views for client consumption. 
·  Liaise with Manilla quantitative data team to complete research and client requests. Identify new efficiencies that can be automated within the team.
·  Contributing to the development of the research function, improving methods and tools used
·  Participate in special projects as needed

Clients

·  Help support senior consultants to deliver high quality manager research consulting advice to internal/external clients
·  Develop trusted advisor relationship through effective communication and efficient, quality execution of projects

People

·  Building relationships with managers, maintaining the research data portal and acting as a point of contact to provide information about the managers to members of the global investment practice.
·  Demonstrate natural ease and effectiveness when dealing with clients/colleagues at all levels.

Financial

·  Support the generation of new business as part of the broader team including new product ideas, or strategy changes.

The Requirements

·  Manager research experience (fund of funds, consulting or portfolio management); prior experience in credit is preferred or a genuine interest in credit investment.
·  Quantitative skillset to analyse a set of data (performance, risk factors, etc.) preferred, or willingness to learn.
·  Ability to analyse qualitative data to form an initial opinion on a manager or strategy
·  Excellent oral and written communication skills and presentation skills. 
·  Well-organised and detail-oriented
·  Flexibility and proven ability to diagnose and resolve issues; strong client service orientation
·  Interest and ability to think beyond the task at hand and understand how one’s work fits into the broader landscape
·  Knowledge of the markets and/or fixed income investments
·  Graduate, not necessarily in a mathematical or business discipline, but evidence of mathematical ability is required.
·  Progress in CFA or other professional qualification an advantage, willingness to undertake the CFA essential.

The Company 
Willis Towers Watson is a leading global advisory, broking and solutions company that helps clients around the world turn risk into a path for growth. With roots dating to 1828, Willis Towers Watson has 40,000 employees serving more than 140 countries. We design and deliver solutions that manage risk, optimize benefits, cultivate talent, and expand the power of capital to protect and strengthen institutions and individuals. Our unique perspective allows us to see the critical intersections between talent, assets and ideas – the dynamic formula that drives business performance. Together, we unlock potential. Learn more at willistowerswatson.com.

Willis Towers Watson is an equal opportunity employer
Willis Towers Watson believes that effectively managing a diverse workforce is vital to our business strategy. We have an obligation to our organization, ourselves and our clients to hire and develop the best people we can find. We will continually review our policies and practices to ensure that all areas of the employment process (including recruiting, hiring, work assignments, compensation, benefits, promotions, transfers, company-sponsored development programs and overall workplace experience) are free from discriminatory practices. We are committed to equal employment opportunities at Willis Towers Watson.

Unsolicited Contact: Any unsolicited resumes/candidate profiles submitted through our web site or to personal e-mail accounts of employees of Willis Towers Watson are considered property of Willis Towers Watson and are not subject to payment of agency fees. In order to be an authorized Recruitment Agency/Search Firm for Willis Towers Watson, any such agency must have an existing formal written agreement signed by an authorized Willis Towers Watson recruiter and an active working relationship with the organization. Resumes must be submitted according to our candidate submission process, which includes being actively engaged on the particular search. Likewise, for our authorized Recruitment Agencies/Search Firms, if the candidate submission process is not followed, no agency fees will be paid by Willis Towers Watson. Willis Towers Watson is an equal opportunity employer.