Senior Portfolio Manager - Alternatives

Join LGPS Central at a pivotal moment-where investment meets long term impact.

Join LGPS Central at an exciting moment in our evolution as we build new investment solutions that support the government's Fit for the Future agenda.

We are looking for a Senior Portfolio Manager for Alternatives to help design, develop and manage our new Alternatives investment fund solutions.

This role sits within our Alternatives and Hedging Solutions team and will work closely with the Head of Alternatives and Hedging Solutions to create a transparent and high quality investment proposition for Partner Funds. Alternatives at LGPS Central span a diverse and evolving set of diversifying strategies including hedge funds, diversified growth funds, absolute return bonds, insurance linked securities, gold and other liquid or semi liquid alternative strategies.

If you have strong experience researching, selecting and managing Alternatives managers, combined with a passion for building robust multi manager solutions, this could be an excellent next step in your career.

#Alternatives #HedgeFunds #DiversifyingStrategies #InstitutionalInvesting #UKPooling #Pensions #InvestmentCareers

What you'll be doing:

As our Senior Portfolio Manager, here's an insight into what you'll be getting up to:

• Working with the Head of Alternatives and Hedging Solutions to design and implement LGPS Central's new Alternatives investment solutions.
• Ensuring these solutions meet the requirements of Partner Funds, government policy and relevant legislation.
• Helping build out the Alternatives team including supporting recruitment and developing analysts.
• Managing the day to day oversight of the Alternatives portfolio including sourcing investment opportunities, conducting research and due diligence, and monitoring all managers and holdings.
• Delivering a transparent, auditable and repeatable investment process that stands up to scrutiny.
• Ensuring the portfolio is run within the parameters set by the Investment Committee including responsible investment, risk and compliance policies.
• Acting as deputy to the Head of Alternatives and Hedging Solutions when required including attending Investment Committee, Partner Fund meetings and presenting to internal and external stakeholders.
• Supporting the preparation of Alternatives reporting and ensuring the outputs meet Partner Fund needs.
• Embedding the Company's Risk and Compliance Framework including first line controls, risk monitoring and adherence to regulatory requirements.
• Integrating and maintaining responsible investment and ESG considerations across the portfolio.
• Being an ambassador for LGPS Central and championing a collaborative, research driven and high performing culture.
• Managing key projects assigned by the Investment Director and ensuring these are delivered on time and to budget.

About Us

LGPS Central (LGPSC) Ltd is the FCA regulated asset manager for eight local authority pension funds across the Midlands. LGPSC is jointly owned on an equal shares basis by those Partner Fund, and it is responsible for managing £45bn+ of their assets. It is one of eight Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) asset pools in the UK.

LGPS Central's Partner Funds are:

• Cheshire Pension Fund
• Derbyshire Pension Fund
• Leicestershire Pension Fund
• Nottinghamshire Pension Fund
• Shropshire Pension Fund
• Staffordshire Pension Fund
• West Midlands Pension Fund
• Worcestershire Pension Fund

The Company is committed to responsible investment and has made responsible investment a core part of the investment process in every asset class.

LGPS Central offers a friendly and diverse, hybrid working environment with a range of employee benefits. The Company moved to new premises at i9, Wolverhampton Interchange in January 2022, close to local transport links.

Our objective is to be a leading investment management company working with and for our Partner Funds. With a focus on value for money and performance we want to aspire to be one of the best because this is how we will deliver the superior investment returns and low costs for our Partner Funds.

Requirements

• Experience sourcing, researching and monitoring Alternatives managers and strategies.
• Strong understanding of portfolio construction within Alternatives.
• Experience overseeing Alternatives portfolios including performance and risk evaluation.
• Experience of senior collaborative investment decision making and manager oversight.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to build trusted internal and external relationships.
• Personal credibility, judgement and strong professional ethics.
• Experience leading and coaching junior colleagues is advantageous.

Qualifications:

• CFA or equivalent qualification/ relevant investment experience.
• Preferably degree level or equivalent in relevant discipline.
• Has or can meet all the requirements of being an FCA approved person.

What do we offer?

We are proud to provide our people with a premium and exclusive benefits package and we are continually improving the rewards we offer. Here are a few of the valuable rewards that you will enjoy:

• Competitive salary
• An enhanced and generous Pension Scheme
• 30 days' paid holiday plus bank holidays
• 2 days paid volunteering days
• An extra paid Company Day in addition to paid holidays
• Excellent Learning & Development Opportunities
• Welfare and Family friendly policies
• Enhanced pay for new parents
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme 247 Health & Wellbeing Support
• Vitality Private Medical Insurance
• Hybrid Working
• Company Service Awards
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Company Electric Vehicle Scheme
• Nominees of the Family Friendly Employer of the Year 2022 Personnel Today Awards 2022
• Winner of the Cultural Awareness Initiative of the Year FT Advisors Diversity in Finance Awards 2023
• Winner of Diversity and Inclusion Award LAPF In Investments Award 2023