Director, Investment Options Portfolio Construction

At AustralianSuper, we truly care about our colleagues. We know work and life are intertwined. That's why we support the diverse needs of everyone and have policies that enable us all to thrive and be truly flexible. We ensure diversity is celebrated for the opportunity it provides us all to learn and grow, and deliver better outcomes for members.

• Make a difference delivering outcomes for our millions of members
• Manage our investment options to achieve target returns
• Permanent role based in Melbourne or Sydney

Your New Role

The Asset Allocation team is responsible for macro and investment strategy research and for the portfolio construction of our investment options to ensure they deliver their return objectives.

The flagship product is the Balanced option with the vast majority of member assets. The team is also responsible for managing five other diversified options across the risk / return spectrum.

This role is responsible for managing the Balanced and other diversified investment options to ensure they outperform within their cost, risk and liquidity constraints using all asset class teams for a "total portfolio view".

This is a permanent role based in Melbourne or Sydney.

Key responsibilities include:

• Setting the Balanced option and other diversified option TAAs to deliver value add relative to a peer reference portfolio;
• Analysing the portfolio using factor risk, risk budgeting, peer comparisons, scenario analysis / stress testing and macro-factor/strategy back-testing to ensure the portfolio is constructed optimally subject to its constraints;
• Designing and managing a "top of house" framework together with peer Asset allocation teams and establishing a toolkit of levers to execute top-down positions with implementation via liquid, derivative markets;
• Liaising with key stakeholders including Liquidity & Implementation, Equities, Mid Risk & FICC on portfolio construction considerations seeking solutions for complex issues;
• Recommending actions (e.g. scale up/down positions, top of house trades), and working across teams to implement those actions;
• Designing simplified translation rules for portfolio management - including identification of issues and recommendations for improvement;
• Providing input into the development of mandates with and for the asset classes, including the setting of benchmarks and assisting in the allocation of alpha, cost, liquidity / illiquidity and risk budgets;
• Leading, coaching and mentoring a team of analysts towards meeting objectives through fostering a collaborative team culture;
• Analysing and assessing investment performance and risk outcomes (both ex-post and ex-ante).

What You'll Need

• Extensive experience in investment decision making and/or investment strategy;
• Experience investing or allocating capital for a multi-asset portfolio strongly preferred;
• Strong understanding of investment principles and instruments;
• Experience in Advanced use of economics/data services and statistical packages associated with the analysis of economic data, as well as MS Office products;
• Demonstrated strong quantitative skills in assessing and developing portfolio construction, risk modelling;
• Experience managing staff preferred;
• Knowledge of coding, e.g. python, R, an advantage;
• Self-starter who can lead research projects and synthesize complex information into concise conclusions;
• Strong presentation and report writing skills;
• Superior tertiary qualifications in Economics, Finance or a related field;
• Postgraduate qualifications in finance or investing (e.g. CFA, CAIA, FIAA or similar).

Life at AustralianSuper

AustralianSuper is committed to colleague development, and we support our people with ongoing learning, coaching and training, as well as career opportunities across our expanding global organisation. We offer generous leave entitlements and promote a blended working environment in which all roles can flex, and we're happy to discuss what this looks like for you.

We cultivate a workplace that champions safety, respect, inclusiveness and diversity. We are committed to supporting our diverse workforce in a way that is inclusive and embraces diversity in all its forms. If you require any reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process or the role, please let our recruitment team know.

What's Next

Apply now, if you share our values of Energy, Integrity, Generosity of Spirit and Excellent Outcomes and would like the opportunity to work in a challenging, growing and rapidly evolving team to deliver outstanding results.

Australian or New Zealand citizenship or Australian permanent residency status is required.

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Agencies please note: this vacancy is being managed directly by AustralianSuper's Talent Acquisition team. We will contact our preferred agency partners should we require additional support. Thank you.