Dubai based, Senior Associate – Asset Allocation, Public Markets, Tier 1 Sovereign fund

Location: Dubai, UAE

Public Markets Investment Team | Leading Sovereign Wealth Fund

Less Relevant Backgrounds

The role is generally NOT suited to:

• Traditional long-only equity portfolio managers focused primarily on stock picking
• Fundamental equity analysts with limited portfolio construction responsibilities
• Traders and execution-focused investment professionals
• Candidates whose experience is predominantly centred around security selection rather than portfolio oversight and manager allocation

About the Opportunity

Our client, a leading sovereign investment institution based in Dubai, is seeking to appoint a Senior Associate – Public Markets to join its growing investment team.

This is an exceptional opportunity to play a key role in the selection, due diligence and oversight of world-class external investment managers across global public markets. Working directly with the Head of Public Markets, you will help shape institutional portfolios across equities, fixed income, liquid alternatives and multi-asset strategies while contributing to portfolio construction and strategic asset allocation decisions.

The successful candidate will interact with some of the world's leading asset managers, conduct rigorous investment analysis and present recommendations to senior investment committees.

Key Responsibilities

Manager Research & Selection

• Research and map the global universe of institutional asset managers across multiple asset classes.
• Screen investment strategies using quantitative and qualitative criteria.
• Identify best-in-class managers through comprehensive investment research.
• Monitor industry developments, new fund launches and key personnel changes.

Investment Due Diligence

• Lead detailed qualitative and quantitative due diligence on external investment managers.
• Evaluate investment philosophy, portfolio construction, risk management, team quality and competitive advantage.
• Analyse historical performance, factor exposures, style consistency and downside protection.
• Assess ESG integration and stewardship practices.

Operational & Risk Due Diligence

• Partner with Risk, Legal and Compliance teams to assess operational robustness.
• Review governance frameworks, valuation policies, trading operations and business risks.
• Identify key operational and investment risks and recommend mitigation measures.

Portfolio Monitoring

• Continuously monitor external managers against benchmarks and peers.
• Conduct regular manager review meetings and onsite visits.
• Prepare performance reports and investment committee materials.
• Support portfolio rebalancing and allocation decisions.

Manager Relationships

• Act as the primary relationship manager for selected external investment managers.
• Negotiate investment management agreements, fees, liquidity terms and mandate structures.
• Ensure ongoing compliance with investment guidelines and reporting requirements.

Investment Committee Support

• Prepare high-quality investment memoranda.
• Present manager recommendations to senior investment committees.
• Defend investment cases using both quantitative and qualitative analysis.

Thought Leadership

• Produce research on market trends, manager selection methodologies and industry developments.
• Contribute to improving manager evaluation frameworks and investment processes.
• Share market intelligence with the wider investment team.

Candidate Profile

We're looking for an investment professional with strong analytical skills and experience evaluating external investment managers.

Essential Experience

• 4–6 years of experience within:
• Asset Management
• Pension Funds
• Sovereign Wealth Funds
• Investment Consulting
• Family Offices
• Institutional Investment Teams
• Experience conducting manager research and due diligence.
• Strong understanding of public markets across equities, fixed income and liquid alternatives.
• Experience analysing institutional investment performance and risk metrics.
• Advanced financial modelling and analytical skills.
• Ability to prepare investment papers and present recommendations to senior stakeholders.

Technical Skills

• Performance attribution
• Factor and style analysis
• Risk analytics
• Portfolio construction
• Benchmark analysis
• Investment manager evaluation
• Institutional due diligence

Qualifications

• Degree in Finance, Economics or a related discipline.
• CFA Charter holder (or progress towards CFA) strongly preferred.