Quantitative Developer

Apex Group Ltd (UK Branch); Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 600 000 - 800 000; Full time

Job summary

A global financial services provider in Pretoria is seeking a Quantitative Investment Analyst to conduct quantitative and financial modelling, automate investment processes, and manage client relationships. The ideal candidate will possess advanced programming skills, specifically in Python and R, along with strong financial modelling abilities. This position offers competitive remuneration, a unique opportunity within a growing global business, and training and development opportunities.

Benefits

Competitive remuneration

Training and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Strong MS PowerPoint, MS Excel and MS Word skills required.
• Critical experience in computer programming and financial modelling.
• Understanding of fundamental investment principles is essential.

Responsibilities

• Conduct various projects in quantitative modelling and financial modelling.
• Automation of investment decision making signals.
• Client relationship management and preparation of quarterly reports.

Skills

Computer programming

Financial modelling

Process automation

Data mining

Data science

Strong communication

Presentation skills

Education

B.Sc. Mathematics

B.Sc. Statistics

B.Sc. Data Science

B.Sc. Computer Science

Professional qualification (e.g., CFA)

Tools

Python

R

SQL

Bloomberg

FactSet

Job description

Overview

The Apex Group was established in Bermuda in 2003 and is now one of the world’s largest fund administration and middle office solutions providers. Our business is global, serving locally across jurisdictions with cross‑jurisdictional services. We are represented by over circa 13,000 employees across 112 offices worldwide. Your career with us should reflect your energy and passion.

At Apex Group, we will work to supercharge your unique skills and experience. Take the lead and we’ll provide support to help you be at the top of your game, with the freedom to turn big ideas into bold, industry-changing realities.

For our business, for clients, and for you

Quantitative Investment Analyst

Description

Extensive use of computer science skills, computer programming skills and / or data science skills to conduct various projects in quantitative modelling as well as financial modelling. Tasks will primarily involve the automation of investment decision making signals as well as the automation of client investment reports that cover: economic research, capital markets research, industry trends research, competitor analysis, manager research, portfolio construction, portfolio performance attribution, portfolio performance monitoring, and asset allocation. Tasks will also extend to the gradual building of investment process related databases that will position the employer for real-time, online integration with all of its internal clients (various divisions within the group) as well as external clients. Additionally, it will involve an automated integration of all data vendors that feed into the investment team’s investment decision making processes, as well as investments reporting processes.

Job specification

Quantitative Research / Analysis :

• Macroeconomic research.
• Macro regime research / business cycle research.
• Asset class valuations research.
• Investment styles research.
• Geographical fundamentals / Regional fundamentals research.
• Currency markets research.
• Portfolio construction research.
• Portfolio performance attributions research.
• Manager Research.
• Asset Allocation monitoring.
• Industry trends research.
• Competitor analysis research.
• Process automation research

Member of AIC-SA Investment Committee:

The key role here is to support the fundamental risk-management-process across AIC-SA’s 7 Pillars of Investments Decisions Making.

• Global macroeconomics risks.
• Global macro-regime /business cycle risks.
• Global asset class valuations risks.
• Global currency risks.
• Global investment styles risks.
• Global geographical / regional risks.
• Global manager selection risks (Active Managers & Rules Based Managers)

Client Support:

• Client relationship management
• Member of AIC-SA-client investment committees and collaborating with clients to profitably combine AIC-SA’s key fundamental risks as noted above.
• Communicating AIC-SA’s key investment strategy thoughts to clients in a highly customised way.
• Translate ongoing client queries, concerns, requests into clear feedback to CIO and Investment Team regarding the Investment Process relevance to clients’ needs.
• Contribution to the preparation of client quarterly reports and more frequent client reporting obligations – typically monthly.
• Client presentations and client investment/non-investment queries within specified investment mandates.
• Investment decision making support functions.
• High‑frequency administration tasks: setting up and maintaining spreadsheets, investment feedback reports, and presentations.
• Develop processes to make high‑frequency roles more efficient and repeatable.
• Support Clients in their business development and client relationship initiatives from time to time.

Manager Support:

• Managing Director Support: supporting day‑to‑day operational activities for the AIC-SA Investments Decision Making Framework and Business Strategy Framework.
• CIO Support: supporting day‑to‑day operations for the AIC-SA Investments Decision Making Framework.
• Senior Portfolio Manager Support: supporting day‑to‑day operations for the investment decision framework.
• Business Development Support: supporting day‑to‑day activities that respond to client requests and queries.

Business Development:

• Contribute to divisions’ business development efforts – building and refining presentations and marketing materials.
• Produce content to showcase AIC-SA’s intellectual property and research across brand platforms.
• Sales / Business Development Team support.
• Marketing team support.

Ad-hoc:

• Admin support
• Strong MS PowerPoint, MS Excel and MS Word skills
• Strong quantitative analysis and financial modelling skills
• Strong programming knowledge (Python, R, SQL) and process automation
• Strong communication, presentation and English writing skills
• Strong knowledge of investment systems (e.g., Bloomberg, FactSet, IRes, Money Mate, Morningstar)
• Strong interpersonal skills and professional conduct
• Progressive attitude, maturity and self‑start approach
• Exposure to Manager Research and Data Mining is advantageous
• Attention to detail

Skills Required

Education:

• Most preferred: B.Sc. Mathematics; B.Sc. Statistics; B.Sc. Actuarial Science; B.Sc. Data Science; B.Sc. Computer Science; B.Sc. Engineering; B.Bus.Science
• Professional qualification or studying towards one (e.g., CFA)
• Quants skills, financial modelling, and computer programming skills are advantageous
• Data mining and data solutions management are advantageous
• Strong communication and presentation skills

Experience Required:

• Computer programming – critical requirement.
• Financial modelling – critical requirement.
• Process automation – critical requirement.
• Data mining – critical requirement.
• Data science – critical requirement.
• Article writing, writing courses, and presentation courses beneficial
• Experience in CIS or asset management or wealth management beneficial
• Experience with LISP platforms beneficial
• At least 3 years in multi‑management or similar environment beneficial

Knowledge

• Global macroeconomics knowledge
• Global business cycle knowledge
• Understanding of fundamental investments principles – risk, valuations, mean reversion, etc.
• Understanding of financial services industry
• Technical knowledge, systems knowledge, process automation
• Data mining and data management knowledge
• Programming knowledge and financial modelling knowledge
• Knowledge around LISPS – Linked Investments Services Providers

Personal Attributes

• Team player and team builder with motivational skills
• Keen interest in applying technology to traditional investment processes
• Innovative mindset with focus on efficient processes
• Mature, positive, professional, and integrity-driven
• Willingness to work long hours and travel locally and offshore
• Dynamic, driven, self‑starter, and proactive
• Detail oriented with strong multi‑tasking abilities
• Ability to build relationships and broad analytical skills
• Out of the box thinking and confidence
• Strong communication and presentation skills

What you will get in return:

• A genuinely unique opportunity to be part of an expanding large global business.
• Competitive remuneration commensurate with skills and experience.
• Training and development opportunities.

Disclaimer: Unsolicited CVs sent to Apex (Talent Acquisition Team or Hiring Managers) by recruitment agencies will not be accepted for this position. Apex operates a direct sourcing model and where agency assistance is required, the Talent Acquisition team will engage directly with our exclusive recruitment partners.