Senior Investment Manager

Absa Bank Kenya PLC is a leading financial services provider in Kenya, offering a wide range of banking products and services to individuals, businesses, and corporations. It is part of the Absa Group Limited, an African financial services group dedicated to serving its communities.

The Senior Investment Manager provides strategic leadership and oversight for investment portfolios, ensuring optimal risk-adjusted returns while maintaining liquidity, capital preservation, and compliance with CMA regulations and internal governance frameworks. This role is crucial for supporting the firm's revenue and profitability goals by driving investment decisions and managing portfolio performance effectively.

1. Serve as a key member of the AAML Investment Committee, generating content as guided by the Chief Investment Officer.
2. Develop portfolios and strive to achieve investment returns that surpass pre-set benchmarks.
3. Drive strategic and tactical asset allocation decisions based on macroeconomic, market, and sector analysis.
4. Approve investment ideas, trades, and rebalancing actions within delegated limits.
5. Translate investment strategy into actionable portfolio adjustments.
6. Monitor managed portfolios and execute rebalancing strategies to align them with agreed investment committee strategies, Investment Policy Statements, regulatory provisions, and Absa internal control frameworks.
7. Report on client performance in accordance with Global Investment Performance Standards (GIPS).
8. Adhere to the CFA Code of Ethics, Standards of Professional Conduct, and relevant Absa governance provisions.
9. Ensure investment decisions are supported by high-quality internal and external research and analysis.
10. Manage existing client relationships to retain and expand business.
11. Support the Business Development team in presentations to prospective clients.
12. Leverage existing Group business relationships to grow the company's client base.
13. Stay informed about the latest developments in international and regional markets to assist in developing appropriate products.
14. Prepare and deliver scheduled and ad-hoc client reports, including economic and market overviews, portfolio valuations, performance, and fund strategies.
15. Coordinate with relevant functions to ensure timely and accurate reporting to regulators (CMA/RBA).
16. Prepare and present portfolio reviews, performance reports, and investment proposals to Investment Committees, Trustees, and High Net Worth Clients.
17. Engage with clients, trustees, regulators, and auditors as required.
18. Provide clear explanations of portfolio performance and market developments.
19. Assist in preparing strategy papers, investment recommendations, and reports for the Board, AAML Governance Committees, and other stakeholders.
20. Actively manage relationships with brokers, analysts, issuers, and other market participants.
21. Ensure all investment management documentation is complete and current.
22. Liaise with the middle-office department to ensure prompt collection of management fees.
23. Ensure all activities comply fully with regulatory requirements, the Enterprise-Wide Risk Management Framework, and internal Absa Policies.
24. Understand and manage risks and risk events relevant to the role.
25. Ensure all investment activities adhere to CMA regulations, trust deeds, client mandates, and internal risk limits.
26. Identify, assess, and mitigate market, credit, liquidity, and concentration risks.
27. Support stress testing, scenario analysis, and downside risk planning.
28. Lead, coach, and mentor Junior Investment Managers, Analysts, and Dealers.
29. Set performance objectives and ensure adherence to professional standards.
30. Foster a strong research-driven and ethical investment culture.
31. Collaborate closely with the team leader and other team members to deliver world-class customer service.
32. Continuously seek improved working methods by challenging the status quo and supporting an empowering team climate, sharing best practices, knowledge, and providing constructive feedback.
33. Provide cover for team members when necessary.
34. Support the implementation and adoption of change initiatives.

1. A first degree in relevant subjects such as Finance, Commerce, or Actuarial Science.
2. Compliance with CISI and ICIFA certification requirements.
3. Professional qualifications like CFA, CIFA, CPA, CISI, CAIA, or other relevant fund management qualifications are an advantage.
4. A minimum of ten (10) years of experience in the financial sector.
5. At least five (5) years of work experience gained in an investment house/environment.
6. Strong knowledge of the Kenyan financial services industry and its regulatory frameworks.
7. Comprehensive understanding of various investment concepts, including risk management, compliance, products, asset classes, and alternative investments.
8. Familiarity with investment management systems such as Bloomberg and Refinitiv.