Specialist, Investment Risk & Performance

About the Role

Liberty, a prominent financial services organisation, is seeking a dedicated Specialist in Investment Risk & Performance to join their team in Johannesburg. This crucial role involves overseeing, analysing, and reporting on the investment risk and portfolio performance for various investment portfolios. The primary objective is to ensure that all activities align with the organisation's investment goals, risk appetite, and regulatory mandates. By providing comprehensive insights, this position directly supports informed investment decision-making, effective risk mitigation, and the optimisation of portfolio returns for both internal departments and external stakeholders.

The successful candidate will be instrumental in managing and monitoring investment portfolios from a risk and performance perspective. Key responsibilities will include:

• **Risk and Performance Analysis:** Conducting in-depth analysis of investment risk metrics and portfolio performance across diverse portfolios. This involves understanding the drivers of performance and identifying areas of potential risk.
• **Reporting and Stakeholder Engagement:** Preparing clear, concise, and insightful reports for both internal teams and external stakeholders. This requires translating complex financial data into actionable insights and effectively communicating findings.
• **Alignment and Compliance:** Ensuring that all investment strategies and portfolio management practices adhere to the organisation's specific investment objectives, risk appetite frameworks, and relevant regulatory requirements.
• **Informed Decision Support:** Providing timely and accurate information and analysis to facilitate well-informed investment decisions by relevant parties.
• **Process Improvement:** Contributing to the continuous improvement of risk management processes, performance measurement techniques, and reporting methodologies.

What They're Looking For

This role demands a strong blend of technical expertise and behavioural competencies. Ideal candidates will possess:

**Technical Skills:**

• A solid understanding of Active Investment Management principles.
• Knowledge of Compliance regulations within the financial services sector.
• Proficiency in Data Analytics, Data Ingestion, and Data Management.
• The ability to evaluate the effectiveness of Risk Management strategies.
• Experience with Performance Benchmarking and Risk Measurement.
• A keen awareness of Risk Identification and overall Risk Management.
• Strong written communication skills for reporting and documentation.

**Experience:**

• A minimum of 3-4 years of experience in Asset & Portfolio Management, or Investment & Asset Management.
• Between 5-7 years of dedicated experience in Investment Performance and Attribution Analysis.

**Qualifications:**

• A Post Graduate Degree in fields such as Finance and Accounting, Mathematical Sciences, or Quantitative Studies.

**Behavioural Competencies:**

Candidates should demonstrate a practical and analytical approach, excellent communication skills, the ability to articulate information clearly, challenge ideas constructively, and maintain composure under pressure. They should be adept at checking details, conveying self-confidence, exploring possibilities, following procedures diligently, interacting effectively with people, and interpreting data accurately. Furthermore, the ability to invite feedback, make sound decisions, manage tasks efficiently, meet deadlines, produce high-quality output, provide insightful analysis, work collaboratively in a team, understand diverse perspectives, and uphold organisational standards are essential.

Given the nature of this specialist finance role within a large financial institution, a position like this in Johannesburg typically requires significant analytical acumen and experience. Opportunities for career progression within risk and performance management divisions are common, often leading to more senior analytical or managerial roles within the broader investment management or risk functions of Liberty or its parent organisation, Standard Bank Group.

Type of Qualification: Post Graduate Degree
Field of Study: Finance and Accounting, Mathematical Sciences, Quantitative Studies

Experience Required
Asset & Portfolio Management
Investment & Asset Management
3-4 years
Investment performance and attribution analysis

5-7 years
Excellent analytical, communication, and stakeholder management skills.