Investments Trainee - Columbia Threadneedle Investments

About Columbia Threadneedle Investments

What working at Columbia Threadneedle offers….

Working at Columbia Threadneedle Investments you’ll find the promise we make to our clients is the same one we make to our employees: Your success is our priority.

Here, you’ll find growth and career opportunities across all our businesses. We’re intentionally built to help you succeed. Our reach is expansive with a global team of 2,500 people working together. Our expertise is diverse with more than 650 investment professionals sharing global perspectives across all major asset classes and markets. Our clients have access to a broad array of investment strategies, and we have the capability to create bespoke solutions matched to clients’ specific requirements.

Columbia Threadneedle is a people business, and we recognise that our success is due to our talented people, who bring diversity of thought, complementary skills, and capabilities. We are committed to providing an inclusive workplace that supports the diversity of our employees and reflects our broader communities and client-base.

We appreciate that work-life balance is an important factor for many when considering their next move so please discuss any flexible working requirements directly with your recruiter.

Job Purpose Statement

Where you’ll fit in & what our team goals are…

Are you looking for a company that values diversity, collaboration, and growth? The Columbia Threadneedle Investments Leadership Development Programme (LDP) offers meaningful work experience for emerging talent interested in a career in Asset Management. This is a 24-month programme crafted to cultivate your business knowledge, gain on-the-job training, network in a supportive, inclusive, team-based environment, have exposure to senior leaders and contribute to the success of the company through three rotations. With access to our Business Resource Networks – which includes the Black Employee Network, Young Professionals Network and PRIDE Network– you will increase your own sense of belonging and engage in relevant networking and development opportunities. Embark on this journey as a Leadership Development Programme Associate and lay the foundation for your future.

As an Investments LDP, you’ll rotate through and work alongside experienced Investment professionals. Rotations may include, but are not limited to the following business areas:

• Equity & Fixed Income Research
• Portfolio Management Teams
• Equity & Fixed Income Trading

After exploring the breadth of the business unit(s) through each rotation, you may have the opportunity to apply for a permanent position within Columbia Threadneedle.

As we are a member firm of Investment20/20 you will also have the opportunity to develop yourself through their centrally organised professional development activities for the first year of your contract. This will enable you to form a vibrant network with other trainees and apprentices from across the industry at social, professional and insight events.

Role Responsibilities

How you’ll spend your time…

• Perform financial modelling of industry, company and security information and assumptions.
• Provide market-related insight that helps Portfolio Managers identify relative value opportunities for the accounts.
• Develop and monitor a wide range of reports and analyses of the portfolios including investment performance trends and comparisons to client guidelines, indices, sector weightings and attribution analysis.
• Re-balance portfolios in response to cash flows, market price movements and changes in client guidelines

To be eligible for the programme, you should:

• Be available to start in September 2024
• Be a graduate of any discipline.
• Be able to commit to complete the full 24-month programme.

Key Capabilities

To be successful in this role you will…

As an Investments LDP, you should have high degree of self-motivation with strong integrity and ethics that aligns with Columbia Threadneedle’s core values (Client Focus, Excellence, Respect, and Integrity).

You should also demonstrate:

• Proven organisation skills and ability to manage time effectively.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Suite, in particular, Excel.

If you also had this, it would be great…

• Coding or Python skills is highly desirable, although not essential.
• Adept Data Analysis skills would be beneficial: this will become a key part of your

How to apply

Apply via our portal. The link is here .

Application process:

You will be asked to upload your CV and to answer the following questions

• Please provide a brief explanation as to why you want to work at Columbia Threadneedle Investments and how you demonstrate our core values. (max 200 words)
• Please describe a recent financial news story that has interested you and explain why.(max 200 words)
• Tell us about your greatest achievement. Why is it your greatest achievement and what did you learn from it? (max 200 words)

The use of AI

Please note the purpose of these questions is to give you an opportunity to express your personal thoughts and experiences, you should bear this in mind before using any AI tools to help you.

Closing date for applications : 18th June 2024*

*Please note that we recruit on a rolling basis and the role may close early so you are advised to apply early.

Recruitment process: There will be two business interviews and an HR interview.

Start date: September – exact date TBC

Equal Opportunities Statement

Columbia Threadneedle is a people business, and we recognise that our success is due to our talented people, who bring diversity of thought, complementary skills and capabilities. We are committed to providing an inclusive workplace that supports the diversity of our employees and reflects our broader communities and client-base.

Please let the recruitment team know if you have a disability, condition or difference that may require some adaptations.