Portfolio Manager at APA Life Assurance Company Ltd

KEY PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Portfolio Management & Investment Strategy

• Evaluate and monitor portfolio performance to ensure consistency across clients with broadly similar mandates, while actively seeking to outperform agreed return benchmarks.
• Identify and execute appropriate asset allocation strategies across equities, fixed income, money markets, and alternative asset classes, with due regard to risk management and regulatory compliance.
• Develop, review, and manage client assets strictly in accordance with individual investment mandates, liaising with the back office and external service providers on portfolio accuracy, amendments, and reconciliations.
• Ensure all portfolio decisions are consistent with the investment committee's approved strategy and AAMC's risk framework.

Research, Analysis & Investment Committee

• Lead the team in conducting rigorous research and analysis on companies, sectors, and macroeconomic trends, incorporating both internal findings and reputable third-party research.
• Participate in and summarise management earnings call reviews, particularly for stocks held in client portfolios, and share key insights with management and the investment committee.

Client Reporting & Thought Leadership

• Lead the team in delivering timely and accurate client reporting, including monthly fact sheets for unit trust fund mandates, periodic third-party reports, and ad hoc performance updates.
• Produce high-quality thematic investment notes and thought leadership content targeting current and prospective clients, reinforcing AAMC's positioning as a trusted investment partner.
• Demonstrate proactivity in client service by providing timely investment advice, statements, and query resolution, with a view to enhancing client retention and deepening relationships.

Compliance, Governance & Broker Management

• Lead the team in conducting due diligence on brokers, banks, and other service providers, recommending a bank panel and respective counterparty limits to the investment committee.
• Review and monitor the dealer's transactions with brokers and banks, reporting on their alignment to the overall investment strategy and compliance with established limits.
• Ensure adherence to regulatory requirements set by the Capital Markets Authority (CMA), Retirement Benefits Authority (RBA), Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA), and other applicable bodies.
• Uphold fiduciary duty to clients at all times and adhere to the CFA Institute Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct, or equivalent ethical framework.

Business Development & Marketing

• Collaborate with and support the business development team in meeting overall business objectives, including marketing initiatives, responding to tenders, sourcing new business, and contributing to product development.
• Actively participate in client acquisition efforts, representing AAMC professionally in client meetings, industry forums, and investment conferences.

Leadership & governance responsibilities

• Supervise, mentor, and appraise subordinate staff including Research Analysts and the Dealer, assigning duties and maintaining high standards of output.
• Evaluate staff performance and provide timely, constructive feedback during appraisal cycles, supporting the professional development of the team.
• Actively contribute to Investment Advisory Committee decisions by providing insights derived from considered research and analysis.
• Foster a high-performance, client-centric team culture that aligns individual strengths with AAMC's investment objectives.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

• Portfolio returns versus agreed client benchmarks.
• Client retention rate and net AUM growth.
• Timeliness and quality of client reporting deliverables.
• Investment committee satisfaction and implementation rate of approved resolutions.
• Compliance record zero material regulatory breaches.
• Team development, staff appraisal completion and professional development milestones.

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree (minimum Second Class Honours) in Finance, Economics, Business Administration, or a related field.
• A Master's degree (MBA, MSc Finance, or equivalent) is an added advantage.

JOB SKILLS AND REQUIREMENTS

Technical Skills

• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills for financial modelling, scenario analysis, and performance attribution.
• Familiarity with portfolio management systems. 
• Sound understanding of portfolio risk analytics, attribution analysis, and performance measurement methodologies.

Soft Skills & Attributes

• Exceptional communication and presentation skills able to articulate complex investment insights clearly to diverse audiences ranging from retail clients to institutional trustees and board members.
• Strong leadership presence, capable of transmitting energy, purpose, and a 'can-do' attitude through the team, aligning team strengths for maximum efficiency.
• Keen attention to detail, with a track record of producing high-quality investment notes, client fact sheets, and RFP responses.
• Intellectual curiosity and strong research capabilities, with a demonstrated drive to explore investment opportunities across the full capital structure.
• Sound ethical judgement and commitment to fiduciary standards, with the ability to navigate conflicts of interest appropriately.
• Ability to thrive under pressure, manage multiple priorities, and meet deadlines in a dynamic investment environment.

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• CFA Charter holder status is strongly preferred; candidates at CFA Level II or III will be considered if they demonstrate exceptional experience and a clear commitment to completing the charter.
• CPA II / ACCA II or equivalent professional qualifications in accounting or financial analysis will be considered as a complement to investment experience.

EXPERIENCE

• A minimum of 5–7 years of relevant experience in investment management on the buy side, covering a broad range of asset classes including equities, fixed income, money markets, and unit trusts.
• Demonstrable experience managing third-party investment mandates and interacting with institutional clients such as pension funds, insurance companies, or corporate treasuries.
• Familiarity with the Kenyan and East African capital markets is essential; experience with the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) and related regulatory frameworks is strongly preferred.