Emerging Market Debt Associate Portfolio Manager

Role Overview

• Own key SMA relationships, delivering the full breadth of client experience enjoyed by GMO fund investors.
• Keep the SMAs in line with the main funds, working collaboratively with the PMs, and ensuring each SMA follows account-specific guidelines.
• Work alongside the portfolio managers, traders, and research analysts providing critical support in the monitoring of strategies, analytics, portfolio characteristics, and supporting the portfolio management, trade allocation, and trading process.
• Maintain thorough understanding of client Investment Management Agreements (IMAs), investment guidelines, and operational requirements.
• Monitor and execute portfolio trades related to subscriptions/redemptions.
• Maintain constant real-time monitoring of flagship strategy trading activity to identify participation opportunities.
• Make split-second decisions on trade participation based on comprehensive analysis of account guidelines, constraints, and portfolio needs, using Aladdin as pre-trade compliance where applicable.
• Work proactively with flagship portfolio manager to quickly bundle SMA trades with flagship strategy execution when participating, ensuring no delay to flagship implementation.
• Allocate and reconcile trades in a timely manner. Create detailed, time-stamped documentation for every trade opportunity, whether participating or not participating, including:
• Specific rationale for participation/non-participation decision
• Relevant guideline considerations
• Portfolio impact analysis
• Cash position and projected cash needs
• Any operational constraints or settlement considerations
• Market conditions at time of decision
• Use Aladdin’s reporting capabilities to coordinate with the Performance and Client Service teams on client reporting and account reviews.
• Work with technology and strategy teams to increase automation, improve quality of data, and create new trading tools
• Liaise with operations on a daily basis to resolve any trading issues or security related issues.
• Document and deliver reconciliation of relative account performance
• Represent and monitor portfolio security analytics and portfolio risks, using Excel and Aladdin
• Engage in technology and systems upgrade projects to ensure all business needs are met within the Emerging Debt team and other GMO teams

Requirements

• 5-7 years of experience analyzing and modeling emerging debt securities and derivatives (credit, rates, fx).
• Bachelor’s Degree required
• Strong understanding of investment guidelines, regulatory requirements, and operational constraints
• Demonstrated ability to use Aladdin is required, including portfolio monitoring, trading, compliance, performance attribution, and client reporting.
• Demonstrated track record of managing multiple accounts with varying guidelines
• Ability to make quick, well-documented decisions under time pressure
• Demonstrated ability to work well under pressure and have strong organizational and communication skills to manage the portfolio process and workflow effectively
• Strong math skills are required, and a candidate should quickly grow to have intuitive understanding of basic allocation problems and procedures
• Strong Excel skills required and familiarity with VBA macros strongly preferred
• The individual should have the ability to communicate portfolio exposures with data, graphics, and via effective spoken communication, within the team and with clients
• Demonstrate responsibility, reliability, a strong work ethic, attention to detail, and a passion for our business
• Given the occasional market stresses – particularly in the 90+ countries associated with EMD – we seek individuals who are calm and can think fast and make their observations and opinions known when the time is needed

Tech Stack

• VBA

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability coverage
• 401(k)/profit-sharing retirement plan
• Open paid time off
• Leaves of absences
• Dependent care resources
• Tuition reimbursement
• Charitable gifts matching
• Flexible spending accounts
• Commuter benefits