Head of Portfolio Construction

Challenger Limited; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 180,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary bonus scheme

Employee share plan

Eighteen weeks paid parental leave

Flexible parental leave

Hybrid work environment

Challenger Day

Subsidised on-site café

Fitness Passport access

Job summary

Challenger Limited is seeking an experienced Head of Portfolio Construction to lead fixed income and multi-asset portfolio construction for an insurance balance sheet. You will translate strategic asset allocation into implementable portfolios, partnering with Strategy, CIOs and Asset Management to deliver efficient, well-governed outcomes.

You will influence senior investment decisions, drive analytics enhancements and contribute to board-level reporting in a hybrid Sydney environment with a

Qualifications

• 5-10+ years' experience in investment management, portfolio construction, asset allocation or related discipline.
• Experience assessing risk and return trade-offs, developing investment insights and supporting portfolio positioning decisions.
• Strong commercial judgement, analytical capability and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to communicate complex investment concepts to senior stakeholders with clarity and influence.

Responsibilities

• Own the investment metrics underpinning portfolio construction, including risk, return, liquidity, capacity and execution considerations.
• Partner with Investment Strategy, Fund CIOs and Asset Management teams to translate strategic asset allocation into implementable portfolios.
• Provide portfolio construction expertise and implementation insights to support investment decision-making and portfolio positioning.
• Identify portfolio construction and implementation opportunities that improve efficiency and strengthen investment outcomes.
• Ensure portfolio decisions are implemented within approved investment guidelines, regulatory requirements and operational constraints.
• Drive enhancements to portfolio analytics, reporting, systems and investment infrastructure.
• Contribute to Board, Investment Committee and senior leadership reporting.
• Act as a key liaison across Investments, Operations, Finance, Product and Risk teams.

Skills

Fixed income

Credit markets

Portfolio construction

Analytical ability

Stakeholder communication

Education

Finance degree

Economics degree

Commerce degree

CFA

Job description

Challenger Limited is an ASX-listed investment management firm managing $128.2 billion in assets (as at 31 December 2025). Life with us is fast moving and always exciting. Together we’re driving to deliver our vision to provide our customers with financial security for a better retirement.We achieve this goal by providing a work environment where people from diverse backgrounds, with a range of skills and experiences can contribute and succeed.Head of Portfolio ConstructionAn opportunity has arisen for an experienced and forward-thinking investment professional to step into the role of Head of Portfolio Construction.This newly created role offers a rare opportunity to join a highly regarded investment function at an important point in its evolution.Reporting to the Executive General Manager, Investment Strategy, you'll play a critical role in shaping how Challenger's investment strategy is implemented across the insurance balance sheet. Working closely with stakeholders across the business, you'll apply your fixed income expertise, investment judgement and portfolio construction capabilities to deliver efficient, scalable and well-governed portfolio outcomes.Key ResponsibilitiesOwn the investment metrics that underpin portfolio construction, including risk, return, liquidity, capacity and execution considerations.Partner with Investment Strategy, Fund CIOs and Asset Management teams to translate strategic asset allocation into implementable portfolios.Provide portfolio construction expertise and implementation insights to support investment decision-making and portfolio positioning.Identify portfolio construction and implementation opportunities that improve efficiency and strengthen investment outcomes.Ensure portfolio decisions are implemented within approved investment guidelines, regulatory requirements and operational constraints.Drive enhancements to portfolio analytics, reporting, systems and investment infrastructure.Contribute to Board, Investment Committee and senior leadership reporting.Act as a key liaison across Investments, Operations, Finance, Product and Risk teams.What We're Looking ForWe're seeking an experienced investment professional with significant expertise in fixed income and credit markets, complemented by a strong understanding of portfolio construction, implementation and institutional investing.You'll bring a track record of influencing investment decisions and delivering portfolio outcomes within a complex investment environment and be comfortable operating in a highly visible role, working closely with senior investment leaders and a broad range of stakeholders.More broadly, you'll bring:Strong investment markets expertise, with a sound understanding of fixed income, credit and multi-asset portfolio construction.5-10+ years' experience in investment management, portfolio construction, asset allocation, portfolio implementation or a related discipline.Experience assessing risk and return trade-offs, developing investment insights and supporting portfolio positioning decisions.Strong commercial judgement, analytical capability and problem-solving skills.The ability to communicate complex investment concepts and recommendations to senior stakeholders with clarity and influence.A collaborative approach and a genuine interest in building relationships across a broad investment ecosystem.A continuous improvement mindset, with an interest in enhancing portfolio processes, analytics and decision-making frameworks.Relevant tertiary qualifications in Finance, Economics, Commerce or a related discipline. CFA or an equivalent professional qualification will be highly regarded.Why Join Challenger?You'll join a high-performing, intellectually curious team with a clear focus on delivering long-term outcomes for customers. For professionals seeking broader influence, greater strategic exposure and the opportunity to help build an evolving capability, this represents a compelling next step.We support your growth and development, offer flexibility, and value the unique contributions people bring.We provide access to a range of exclusive employee benefits that will support you both personally and professionally and a hybrid work environment including.Discretionary bonus schemeEmployee share planEighteen weeks paid leave for all new parentsFlexibility on when, and how, parental leave is takenChallenger Day – one extra day off every year in recognition of the effort our people makeSubsidised on-site café and fantastic central location a stone's throw from Martin Place MetroAdditional support leave (fertility treatment leave, gender affirmation leave)Access to Fitness Passport#LI-GW1#LI-Challenger#LI-HybridChallenger's employee value proposition guides how we work: Grow and realise your potential, supporting each other, stronger together and making things happen. Our culture encourages curiosity, considered thinking and meaningful contribution, with opportunities to build a broad and rewarding career.We are committed to fostering a safe, inclusive and respectful workplace where people of all backgrounds, identities and ways of thinking can thrive, and promoting flexible working to support work-life balance.Challenger is proud to be a Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) Employer of Choice for Gender Equality, a Family Friendly Workplace and recognised as a Bronze Employer in the Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI), the national benchmark for LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion.Job type:PermanentPosting Close Date :25/09/2026About UsLife at Challenger is fast moving and always exciting. Together we’re driving to deliver our vision to provide our customers with financial security for retirement.Our people bring their diverse backgrounds and perspectives to a workplace which is inclusive, flexible, and driven by our values – act with integrity, aim high, collaborate and think customer.Our environment is one where our passionate teams can thrive. Our people quickly discover that a role at Challenger is much more than just a job. Our working environment is unique and encourages our employees to share their ideas and feel empowered to tackle new opportunities.