Associate Director, Funds Solutions

Prudential’s purpose is to be partners for every life and protectors for every future. Our purpose encourages everything we do by creating a culture in which diversity is celebrated and inclusion assured, for our people, customers, and partners. We provide a platform for our people to do their best work and make an impact to the business, and we support our people’s career ambitions. We pledge to make Prudential a place where you can Connect, Grow, and Succeed.

The role will work within the Group Chief Investment Officer Office, partnering with Prudential local business units (LBUs) and other Group functions to support the selection, monitoring and optimisation of high-quality external managers and investment solutions across Prudential Group.

Responsibilities and duties include but are not limited to the following:

• Serve as the investment specialist supporting the selection, due diligence and ongoing monitoring of fixed income managers and strategies across Prudential Group. Assess portfolio resilience, income generation and risk-adjusted returns across General Account and ILP portfolios, with consideration for insurance balance sheet requirements and local regulatory frameworks. Prepare due diligence reports and recommendations for review by senior management, Investment Committees and LBUs.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to identify product trends and contribute to the design of investment solutions that meet investor needs and support ILP product launches. Provide investment insights and positioning support to Distribution teams.
• Manage workstreams supporting the development of scalable non-linked and flagship ILP propositions, including outcome-oriented portfolios. Contribute to clear and differentiated investment propositions and competitor positioning.
• Build alignment across cross-functional stakeholders on ILP strategy and agreed implementation priorities.
• Support fund-of-funds portfolio management by identifying suitable investment strategies and assessing the blend of manager styles and exposures required to deliver robust risk-return outcomes.
• Contribute to multi-asset, multi-manager portfolio construction for fund-of-funds solutions, including asset allocation, manager selection and blending, diversification across asset classes, investment styles, market cycles and geographies, and alignment with house views, risk budgets and the macroeconomic outlook.
• Apply quantitative analytical, portfolio management and optimisation techniques to assess portfolio risk and return, asset allocation, manager contributions, diversification and scenario outcomes, and translate the findings into actionable portfolio recommendations.
• Support the governance of Prudential’s approved fund list. Conduct regular portfolio reviews, identify and escalate material risks, performance deterioration or mandate breaches, and work with LBUs to evaluate strategy enhancements or replacements where required.
• Manage day-to-day engagement with LBUs and Product, Distribution, Risk and Investment teams. Prepare materials and analysis for Investment Committees and senior governance forums.
• Support Distribution through investment narratives, training materials and client engagement.
• Respond to LBU queries on managers and strategies and provide analysis and recommendations to address potential investment headwinds.
• Maintain effective relationships with external fund managers to source investment strategies, obtain industry intelligence and support strategic partnerships.
• Support commercial negotiations with external fund managers by conducting fee benchmarking, preparing negotiation analysis and helping secure favourable terms and conditions for the company.
• Manage assigned projects and undertake other responsibilities as directed by the immediate supervisor.

 

Experience & Qualifications

• At least 10–15 years of relevant experience in asset management, insurance investments or a related field, including substantial experience in fund due diligence, manager selection and ongoing oversight.
• Experience in ILP funds management, insurance portfolios or an asset-owner environment is preferred, together with an understanding of the investment considerations relevant to insurance companies. Experience in fund-of-funds management would be an advantage.
• Strong knowledge of mutual fund products, fixed income strategies and the regulatory environment in Asia, with sound technical understanding of fund structures and investment risks.
• Strong communication, stakeholder-management and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work effectively across business functions and with internal and external stakeholders.
• Degree in finance, economics, law or a related discipline; a relevant professional qualification such as the CFA designation is preferred.
• Proven project and product-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple workstreams and deliver high-quality outcomes.
• Proficiency in Morningstar Direct, Bloomberg, PowerPoint, Word and Excel.
• Basic programming skills and quantitative analytical experience would be an advantage.

 

Prudential is an equal opportunity employer. We provide equality of opportunity of benefits for all who apply and who perform work for our organisation irrespective of sex, race, age, ethnic origin, educational, social and cultural background, marital status, pregnancy and maternity, religion or belief, disability or part-time / fixed-term work, or any other status protected by applicable law. We encourage the same standards from our recruitment and third-party suppliers taking into account the context of grade, job and location. We also allow for reasonable adjustments to support people with individual physical or mental health requirements.