ESG Sovereign Analyst Trainee - AXA

You will join as part of the Investment20/20 programme.

Our ambition is to be a leading responsible asset manager.

At AXA IM, our purpose, to act for human progress by investing for what matters, is central to every action we take as a business.

As a responsible asset manager, we actively invest for the long-term to help our clients, our people, and the world to prosper.

Our conviction-led approach enables us to uncover what we believe to be the best global investment opportunities across alternative and core asset classes. We are already entrusted with €824 billion in assets (as of end of December 2022).

Working as part of the AXA Group, a world leader in financial protection, our team of over 2,600 people (as of end of December 2022) around the world combine a range of specialist skills and experience to best serve the needs of our clients.

The combination of responsible, active and long-term defines our investment philosophy, but also how we run our business, what underpins our clients’ partnerships with us, and what drives our people.

Being responsible is in our DNA as a firm and is central to our ethos as an employer. It is embedded in how we grow and protect our people. It unites our team, from our leaders to our growing number of specialists, to the newest members of our teams.

Careers at AXA IM

Empowering our people to drive progress

As part of a responsible, progressive organisation, our people help us to invest for what matters. Everyone in our diverse, global family shares this responsibility.

Together our people push boundaries and drive forward ideas. They’re willing to be bold and take the lead, using initiative and enterprise to create exceptional service. The kind of service that seeks to drive long-term prosperity for our clients, society and the world we live in.

Diversity and Inclusion

Thrive within a diverse community

At AXA IM, inclusion and diversity are closely linked to our values and to our culture of respect for employees, clients and the communities around us. We always aim to create an environment where everyone feels they belong, are included and can thrive within a diverse community.

Further information on Inclusion and Diversity and AXA IM Inclusion and Diversity | Careers | AXA IM Corporate (axa-im.com)

Programme information

If you are a school/college leaver or graduate you will join as a trainee as part of the Investment 20/20 one-year trainee programme. While we can’t guarantee a permanent position at the end of the 12-month contract, however, if you perform well & if we have an open position available at the time, then permanent employment could be a possibility. The Investment20/20 trainee programme is offered by many investment management firms and 75% of the 3,000 Investment20/20 trainees are offered permanent positions at the end of the one year.  

As a trainee, you will be introduced to investment management and you will gain industry knowledge, experience, and develop relationships to progress your career and develop skills to secure a permanent role. We will support you in achieving/starting a professional qualification if this is something you are interested in doing (most firms offer it, and we highly recommend doing so). As part of the Investment20/20 programme, you will have opportunities to meet and network with over 300 trainees across the industry and participate in socials and insight events. 

Our trainee programme is a fixed term one-year contract paying £28,000. You will receive 27 days annual leave. All roles are based in London. 

The Team 

AXA IM Fixed Income is made of several teams based mainly in Paris, London and New York.

The Core Sustainability team is supporting portfolio managers by assessing ESG credentials of investee companies and sovereigns. ESG analysis identifies the main risks and opportunities related to Environmental, Social and Governance factors. The team also developed an internal assessment framework of ESG labelled bonds like Green, Social and Sustainability-linked bonds. The team also engage with issuers to drive progress in their sustainability policies and encourage greater social and environmental practices.

Responsibilities include 

In this role, your main responsibilities will include:

• Collecting relevant ESG data from a variety of reliable sources, including governmental reports, databases, and third-party research.
• Conducting Sovereign analysis
• Conducting research on sustainability topics.
• Ad hoc activities and tasks to support the Fixed Income team

Skills and requirements 

• Interested in learning about accounting and financial analysis and how to conduct company valuations
• Interested in learning about ESG analysis and sustainability trends, financial markets, economics and politics
• Comfortable using Microsoft tools like Excel, PowerPoint etc.
• Team player with a customer-focused approach
• Comfortable working with data
• Attention to detail and thoroughness
• Good organisational skills, able to multi-task and meet deadlines
• Self-starter who can work to your own initiative.
• A ‘can do’ attitude to learning and enjoys developing new skills
• A good communicator, both oral and written

How to apply

Apply online with your CV and a cover letter including your answer to the following question in 250 words:

• Why are you applying for this traineeship?

We are an inclusive employer. Please let the recruitment team know if you have a disability, condition or difference that may require us to make adjustments. 

Key dates

Online applications close: 31/05/2025

Start date: June 2025

Apply here

Successful candidates will be asked to attend a competency interview followed by further operational interviews and an HR interview at the end of the process.

Unsuccessful candidates at CV submission stage will be notified by email.

If you have been unsuccessful with your application you can always consider other trainee opportunities.