Portfolio Director

Rathbones; Glasgow; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Rathbones in Glasgow is seeking a Portfolio Director (Team Lead) to lead a senior Portfolio Management team, constructing, managing and monitoring client portfolios across individuals, institutions and funds. You will balance risk and return while delivering strong, risk-adjusted performance.

Reporting to the Head of Discretionary Portfolio Management, you will mentor junior staff, drive engagement with investment management teams, and contribute to the firm's growth initiatives.

Qualifications

• Significant experience of managing portfolios at scale and complexity.
• Proven excellence in client service and contribution to business performance.
• Level 7 qualification CWM or CFA (CWM preferred).
• Experience in client administration and regulatory compliance.

Responsibilities

• Define and implement investment strategies based on clients' risk tolerance, goals and horizons.
• Monitor markets and adjust portfolios to maintain target asset allocation.
• Lead, mentor and manage a portfolio management team and collaborate with IMs.
• Support client meetings and presentations with investment insights and performance explanations.

Skills

Quantitative methods

Financial maths

Statistics

Economics

Portfolio construction

Valuation & pricing

Leadership

Client service

Research & analysis

Asset classes knowledge

Education

Level 7 qualification (CWM or CFA)

Job description

Job description

Role title: Portfolio Director (Team Lead)

Division: RIM

Location: Glasgow

Reporting to: Head of Discretionary Portfolio Management

Contract: Permanent

Purpose

To lead as a senior member of a dedicated Portfolio Management team, constructing, managing and monitoring investment portfolios for a diverse, varied and often complex client base (individuals, institutions and funds) to achieve financial goals whilst balancing risk and return.

Collaborate, work in partnership and where required lead engagement with the investment management teams to ensure desired client outcomes are met.

Be a leadership presence within the portfolio management team, with people management responsibilities, and have strong networks across the Wealth business. Will report to the regional PM Area Lead.

Portfolio Director marks significant progression from the Manager role, with increased autonomy, strategic input, and commercial awareness and impact. This role may have additional project lead/SME accountabilities.

Role duties & responsibilities

Investment Strategy, Portfolio Construction and Technical Expertise

• Using systems, tools and knowledge to define and implement investment strategies based on clients’ risk tolerance, financial goals and investment horizons.
• Ensure investment portfolios aligned with client objectives and market conditions.
• Within Rathbones portfolio management strategy, select specific assets and determine the optimal asset allocation to build the portfolio.
• Thorough understanding of Rathbones investment process, conduct additional research and analysis to support the more complex client requirements, ensuring robust investment opinion is shared.
• Maintain strong understanding of Rathbones proposition, commercial awareness of the wider market and clear knowledge of the regulatory framework.
• Build a working knowledge of the Front Office Process Guides and Operating Model Summary and Investment Risk procedures.

Market and Performance Monitoring

• Continuously monitor financial markets, economic trends and geopolitical events to ensure informed investment recommendations can be made.
• Track the performance of aligned portfolios and recommend / make adjustments as needed (such as rebalancing to maintain the desired asset allocation).
• Where properly communicated by investment managers, make appropriate adjustments to the management of a portfolio to reflect a client-directed bespoke requirement, where still deliverable within the client's current risk profile.

Risk Management

• Identify, assess and manage risks associated with investments.
• Possess a working knowledge of the Front Office Process Guides and Operating Model Summary and Investment Risk procedures.
• Use performance and health check data to assess portfolio risks and take action to manage accordingly.

Client Engagement

• Partnering effectively with IMs where PM input required in support of client meetings and client relations.
• Active involvement in client facing projects and presentations.
• Ability to clearly explain investment strategies, performance and recommendations to clients and in partnership with the IM teams.

Business Performance & Growth

• Deliver strong, consistent, risk-adjusted investment performance, aligned to the central Rathbones investment philosophy.
• Contribution shown towards the growth, retention or defense of the client book.
• Demonstrate commercial awareness and contribute to the firm’s growth initiatives.

Team Contribution & Leadership

• Mentor and support junior team members, sharing expertise and fostering development.
• Actively participate in internal forums and be prepared to contribute and or lead committees and business projects as required.
• Promote a collaborative culture and uphold the firm’s values and standards.

Skills and knowledge

• Strong knowledge of quantitative methods, financial maths, statistics, and economics.
• Proven track record of strong research and analytical skills, paired with a deep understanding of asset classes and how to apply those skills and learning within the context of the Rathbones investment process.
• Able to apply portfolio construction theory, along with valuation and pricing techniques to ensure good client outcomes.
• Actively manage a large book of diverse and or complex client portfolios to a very high standard, aligned to appropriate models, using internal systems and approved PM tools to ensure accuracy and effective operational scalability.
• Contribute to discussions around portfolio construction, generating ideas and providing objective challenge, in a collaborative manner.
• Ability to take personal responsibility, exhibit good judgement and to consult with others on more complex portfolio situations.
• Line management / Leadership skills.
• Demonstrate collaborative behaviors within portfolio management team and across the wealth business.
• Active listening and adaptability.
• Commitment to continuous improvement and feedback.

Professional experience and qualifications (where necessary)

• Significant experience of managing portfolios at scale and complexity.
• Demonstrated excellence in client service and proven contribution to business performance.
• Level 7 qualification CWM or CFA (CWM preferred)
• Experience in client administration and regulatory compliance