Head of Portfolio Construction & Risk, Asset Management

Mashreq; Dubai; On-site; AED 400,000 - 700,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading asset management firm in Dubai is seeking a Head of Portfolio Construction & Risk to develop and integrate risk frameworks across investment offerings. The role requires a strong quantitative background and at least 10 years' experience in investment risk or portfolio construction. Key responsibilities include guiding risk model selection, supporting product development, and integrating advanced tools like machine learning. This position is crucial for maintaining competitive risk oversight in a growing firm.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years’ experience in investment risk or portfolio construction.
• Strong quantitative skills and portfolio optimization expertise.
• Familiarity with risk tools and systems.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement portfolio risk frameworks across strategies.
• Guide the firm’s risk model selection and validation.
• Lead the development of machine learning tools for portfolio design.

Skills

Investment risk management

Quantitative research

Portfolio construction

Risk modelling

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Finance or related field

CFA or similar qualification

Tools

Barra

Axioma

Bloomberg

FactSet

Job description

Head of Portfolio Construction & Risk, Asset Management

To lead the development and integration of portfolio construction and risk frameworks across the firm’s investment offerings. This role is responsible for embedding risk methodologies into a range of strategies, including bottom-up active, quantitative, and outcome-based approaches. The Head of Portfolio Construction & Risk will also guide the firm's adoption of machine learning and quantitative tools, support the development and back testing of new strategies, and provide risk oversight across all portfolios. The role involves participation in the Investment Committee. As the firm undergoes rapid growth and aims to position itself as a regional leader in the GCC and beyond, this role will be central in ensuring portfolios are constructed and monitored with a disciplined and scalable risk approach, supporting innovation of new products and capabilities in a rapidly changing asset management environment.

Key Result Areas :

1. Design and implement comprehensive portfolio risk frameworks across active, quantitative, passive, and outcome-based strategies.
2. Guide the firm’s approach to risk model selection and validation, utilizing tools such as Barra, Axioma, Bloomberg, and FactSet.
3. Support product development by providing portfolio construction insights, including strategy back testing and alignment with investment objectives.
4. Lead the development and integration of machine learning and AI tools for portfolio design and risk assessment.
5. Create and maintain robust portfolio risk reporting, monitoring, and escalation protocols.
6. Develop quasi-active, factor-based strategies with defined risk budgets and tracking error targets.
7. Construct customized portfolios for various client and product types, including institutional mandates and mutual funds.

Knowledge, Skills, & Experience :

1. Minimum 10 years’ experience in investment risk, quantitative research, or portfolio construction within asset management.
2. Strong quantitative background with expertise in risk modelling, portfolio optimization, and performance analysis.
3. Familiarity with risk systems and tools such as Barra, Axioma, Bloomberg PORT, and FactSet.
4. Knowledge of equity, fixed income, and multi-asset portfolios.
5. Understanding of active, passive, quantitative, and outcome-based portfolio management techniques.
6. Experience in integrating machine learning or algorithmic methods within portfolio functions.
7. Proficiency in back testing, scenario analysis, and portfolio analytics aligned with investment goals.
8. Ability to develop client- and product-oriented portfolio solutions.
9. Excellent analytical, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
10. Finance or quantitative-related Bachelor’s or Master’s degree; CFA or similar qualifications preferred.

Seniority level: Director

Employment type: Full-time

Job function: Other (Banking, Investment Banking, Financial Services)

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