Job Description

Who is Futuregrowth?
Futuregrowth has been South Africa's leading developmental, responsible and fixed-income investor for over 25 years. We manage a range of fixed interest and development funds and play a key leadership role in the South African asset management industry. We are committed to investing our clients' funds in a responsible manner, with the interests of our clients always coming first.
Purpose of the position
As part of a team of listed credit analysts, the successful incumbent will be responsible for sourcing, collating and distilling various sources of information, to provide timeous and informed investment and trade recommendations, based on thorough analysis and sound judgement of both financial and non-financial risks, so that our funds generate alpha for the ultimate benefit of the clients invested in them.
Key responsibilities of the position
1. Responsible for the financial, risk and operational review of a portfolio of new and existing counterparties and listed debt instruments.
2. Performing investment and credit research and providing investment recommendations (including oral/written submissions) to the Credit Committee on:

• Global and local research and analysis;
• Industry, economic and company-specific research and analysis;
• Analysis of SRI and non-financial factors; and
• Utilising credit ratings and spread levels, direction and volatility to develop a credit trading and pricing strategy.

3. Reviewing existing transactions to assess evolving risks and expected returns, and recommending if our client funds should continue to hold the investment, buy more or sell, and - in conjunction with the dealing desk - at what proposed volume and price.
4. Ensuring that a comprehensive, information-rich database of your portfolio of listed credit counterparties and assets in the South African markets is routinely and punctually maintained and used for investment decision-making.
5. Responsible for deal origination:

• Actively seeking investment opportunities in the listed credit markets; including secondary markets;
• Sourcing investment opportunities for client funds;
• Analysing the appropriateness of new deals and investment opportunities; and
• Developing and maintaining intermediary relations.

6. Playing an active role in the negotiation and structure of deals, including the negotiation of DMTNs to ASISA standards and working with external and internal legal advisors to ensure adequate protections are captured in legal documents.
7. Responsible for providing all investment-related data for your portfolio of listed credit instruments.
8. Active participation in valuation methods and processes including:

• Determining and ensuring that valuation methods are applied correctly; and
• Aiding the team in enhancing valuation models.

9. Participating in internal ad-hoc projects related to listed bonds, process improvements, ASISA initiatives, etc.
10. Participating in client investor presentations, discussions, report backs and contribute to client newsletters, thought leadership pieces and other ad-hoc marketing requirements.
Skills, know-how and experience:

• Ability to show sound investment judgement that is appropriately motivated/ supported by facts, analysis and judgement;
• Excellent analytical and communication skills (including verbal, written and presentation skills);
• Ability to work under pressure and to meet multiple, tight deadlines and deliverables;
• Demonstrated prior and existing interest in investments and financial markets;
• An understanding of the listed capital market, DMTNs, pricing and trading; and
• An understanding of structured finance would be advantageous.

Technical/ professional qualifications:

• CA(SA) and/or CFA candidate or similar would be advantageous. At least a BCom Finance Honours is a requirement.
• Prior asset management experience in listed credit or equity analysis, deal implementation, monitoring and instrument valuations would be advantageous.

Key behaviours and competencies:

• Passionate about investments;
• Critical thinking and sound investment judgement;
• Collaboration and teamwork;
• Adaptability;
• Self-motivation;
• An ability to synthesise multiple information sources to form an investment view that is motivated by evidence and facts;
• An ability to work with incomplete information and a changing economic and investment environment, when necessary;
• An ability to apply professional skepticism and challenge the appropriateness of management forecasts;
• Display drive, purpose and initiative;
• Learning agility (curiosity and willingness to learn); and
• Excellent planning and organising skills.

Recruitment process:
Selected candidates will need to attend a series of competency-based interviews/ activities and a psychometric assessment.