Sustainability Funds Analyst London (GB)

LGT Wealth Management UK LLP is a UK-based partnership, wholly owned by the private banking group LGT, which is in turn owned by the Princely Family of Liechtenstein. When we set up LGT Wealth Management in 2008, our aim was to offer a fresh approach to wealth management. Alongside the LLP we also have two other entities which focus on US and Jersey based clients. Our head office is based in London however we have a presence in Edinburgh, Jersey, Leeds, Birmingham and Bristol. The plan was simple: put our clients first by providing a transparent service, designed around what is right for each of them. By drawing together in-depth knowledge and experience from across the industry, we provide a flexible, bespoke service adapted to each of our clients’ needs.
Our mission is to create long-term value for all stakeholders. Our culture encourages individuals to generate, develop and implement ideas which will strengthen our business. Belonging, respect, integrity, conviction and entrepreneurship are our core values. As our brand recognition grows, we are fast becoming an employer of choice in our sector. We have over £29 billion in funds under management and circa 700 staff.

Business Unit:

The Research team is responsible for generating all investment ideas for the Firm. The team’s expertise extends across Equities, Fixed Income, Authorised Funds, Passive Funds and Alternatives. The research team provide buy lists or approved lists from which investment managers create their client portfolios and the team also advise on specific ideas including the construction of portfolios.  They support the work of the Investment Committee and publish monthly views and quarterly reports reflecting their investment ideas and opinions.

Due to the organic growth in the Sustainable portfolios, the Research team require a dedicated and experienced ESG Fund Analyst to build upon the Firm's expanding ESG/Sustainability offering to aid in the development of the framework in line with the ever evolving landscape.

Brief Role Objective:

To provide research and analysis for the firm and its clients with specific focus on strategies dedicated to Environmental, Social and Governance or Sustainable investment.

The role involves sourcing and analysing investment ideas within the collectives universe including open-end funds, unit trusts, investment trusts and ETFs that meet the ESG / Sustainable framework. Other primary duties of the role include due diligence, analysis and on-going monitoring of investments; conducting manager meetings, presentation of analysis, and providing technical expertise to senior management.

Key Responsibilities:

• Build upon the Firm's expanding ESG/Sustainability offering to aid in the development of the framework in line with the ever evolving landscape.
• Responsible for conducting due diligence and research on investments dedicated to Environmental, Social and Governance or Sustainable investment. This will include face-to-face meetings with managers  which is supported by quantitative analysis (performance, fund characteristics and exposures).
• Responsible for generating quantitative reports for the team and maintaining research screens for the ESG / Sustainable universe and other sectors as requested.
• Contribute to the ongoing strategy and development of the ESG / Sustainability framework.
• The ability to initiate investment ideas and lead on fund research/proposals to ACC
• Build & maintain relationships with fund managers to ensure that research is relevant to the business needs.
• Provide appropriate research notes to support investment proposals to the relevant committees and provide sufficient information for investment managers and their respective clients.
• Presenting to intermediary channels and internal stakeholders including senior management
• Responsible for sourcing new managers including screening across the industry, meeting prospective managers, attending conferences or industry events and conducting on site due diligence.
• To support the investment process and recommending improvements where applicable.
• To Advise in-house investment managers on suitability of investments.
• To increase the level of understanding of the selected collectives to the asset allocation committee and investment managers.
• To ensure that all processes, analysis, models and spreadsheets are documented, maintained and stored in line with company policies.
• Assist with the promotion of the firm’s brand name externally within the fund management community.
• Maintain documentation relating to products under research analyst's cover and additional areas of cover going forward.

Key Skills and Technical Requirements:

• Significant investment and sustainability experience in the wealth/asset management industry in a previous, similar role
• Proficient in different approaches to ESG / Sustainable investing
• A strong understanding of investment risk with the ability to consolidate facts and produce credible recommendations.
• Ability to both analyse, assess, understand and critique an investment process (active / passive)
• Capable to produce high quality research and the capacity to relay information internally in a clear and concise manner.
• A professional and capable presenter on ESG/Sustainable research and analysis
• Educated to degree level with a relevant Bachelors or Masters degree.
• A minimum of either IMC Qualification and/or CFA level 1

Other Skills and Attributes:

• A passion for ESG / Sustainable investing
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills, with particular relevance to Financial Markets.
• Comfortable handling and manipulating large datasets (for example ESG data from a number of databases)
• Good organisational skills with the ability to prioritise and meet critical deadlines.
• Excellent communication skills and is able to collaborate well across different teams.
• Self starter, motivated and confident in their ability to understand the investment process.
• Experience in the analysis of, and knowledge of, open ended funds, unit trust, and investment trust in both onshore and offshore legal structures.
• Personable, with the ability to build relationships with key external stakeholders (Asset Managers & Research Houses) and existing knowledge collectives universe.
• An understanding of operational due diligence and knowledge of private client investment preferable.
• An excellent understanding of MS Excel and the remainder of the MS Office Package.
• A good understanding of Morningstar Direct with proficiency on Bloomberg, Factset and MSCI ESG.