Industrial Placement Student – 12 months

Loomis Sayles is a performance-driven active asset management company that seeks to identify exceptional investment opportunities on behalf of institutional and retail clients worldwide. We believe active management fuelled by proprietary, best-in-class research helps us achieve financial success for our clients. Founded in 1926, Loomis Sayles currently oversees approximately $400 billion in assets under management for global clients spanning more than 50 countries. 

Loomis Sayles looks far and wide for value – across traditional asset classes and alternative investments – to pursue attractive, sustainable returns for our clients. With currently have over 800 employees and are headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, but with additional international offices in London, Singapore, Utrecht (the Netherlands) and Paris.

Why work for us

What sets Loomis Sayles apart is the way our teams of portfolio managers, research analysts and traders are structured to collaborate with each other to cultivate our best investment ideas. Loomis Sayles applies a broad, deep perspective, so our dedicated teams of portfolio managers can act decisively to deliver innovative client-focused solutions built on a foundation of integrated global research.

We also foster a culture of entrepreneurialism, where all employees are empowered and encouraged to develop themselves and their ideas. Our culture centres on our shared IDEALS, the core characteristics of who we aspire to be as employees and an organisation:

INCLUSIVE & DIVERSE 

DEDICATED TO TEAMWORK 

EXCELLENT

ACCOUNTABLE

LEADERS 

SOLUTION-ORIENTED

Loomis Sayles is committed to the continual improvement of our performance, processes and people. As part of this commitment, we are looking to hire an enthusiastic and passionate candidate, eager to contribute to our continued success.

What we look for

As part of our mission to be a world-class investment management firm we strive to hire, retain and develop the best and brightest in our industry. We provide a challenging and collegial working environment that allows our employees to develop their potential and reach their professional goals. Our employees are those who thrive in a team-oriented, performance-driven culture.

Our London office consists of a diverse group of 35 individuals working side by side in a predominately open planned space across a number of differing disciplines integral to the running of a successful investment management. This one year industrial placement role we are offering is a hands-on and a unique opportunity to support two teams within the London office, Client Relationship Management and Credit Research.

Additionally during the 12 month placement the successful applicant will be able to gain in-person exposure to a variety of departments represented in our London office including: Fixed Income Trading; Investment Operations; Business Development, Investment Consultant Relations; Compliance; Human Resources; Macro Research & Investment Risk Analysis. 

Programme information

You will join as an Industrial Placement Student (IPS) as part of the Investment20/20 programme.  

We are looking for an undergraduate who is currently in their 2nd year of studying at University and looking to undertake an Industrial Placement in their 3rd year before returning to University to complete their studies.

As an IPS, 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 starting a professional qualification (the IMC or similar) if this is something you are interested in. 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 position is a fixed term, 12 month contract paying £25,000. You will also receive private medical and dental insurance as part of your package. The role is based in London and you will receive 25 days annual leave. We are currently working a flexible, hybrid model whereby all those in the London office, regardless of the department they work in, are required to work a minimum of 3 days in the office (Tues-Thurs) at 77 Coleman Street, albeit we encourage more days in the office for those that wish to do so.  

Programme Summary 

This is a program intended to give you a breadth of knowledge and experience across two key areas of asset management undertaken in our London office: Client Relationship Management and Credit Research.

As a member of EMEA Institutional Services department you will support the Client Relationship team and have significant exposure to our external client management activities across the EMEA region. 

Within our Credit Research department you will provide analytical support to the analysts covering several industries including European utilities, telecommunications, real estate as well as Emerging Markets bond issuers.

Dividing your time equally between these two critical areas of the business, will enable you to make informed decisions about where you would like to develop your career. 

Client Relationship Management Overview

Our Client Relationship Management team is dedicated to providing superior client service to meet client objectives. The Relationship Manager (RM) is expected to be an advocate for the clients’ interests in discussions with members of our investment teams and other parts of the organisation to ensure that the clients’ interests are served. The RM acts as the primary point of contact for assigned clients and develops an in-depth understanding of the clients' needs, objectives and asset allocation strategy. Additionally they conduct investment review presentations and conference calls alongside Investment team colleagues in an effort to retain accounts/assets. 

What to expect:

• Support our London based Relationship Managers with their respective relationships with institutional clients such as pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, wealth managers and global financial institutions. 
• The team manages client relationships across a variety of countries within Europe and the Middle East.
• Interact and communicate with various members of our investment, marketing and business development teams.
• Working on ad hoc projects as required to enhance our client relationship management proposition.

Credit Research Overview

Our credit research team thinks beyond the rating agencies to provide independent views and forward-looking assessments of credit risk and potential opportunities. Research coverage spans the broad credit spectrum across investment grade and high yield. Credit recommendations combine rigorous bottom-up fundamental analysis, structural risk assessment, and relative value-based insights. Credit research analysts are integrated into sector teams that offer market and research insight through the collaboration of portfolio managers, strategists, analysts, and traders.

What to expect: 

• Support analysts in conducting fundamental industry and issuer credit research and analysis 
• Build and maintain financial models, including projections
• Assess credit risk and develop an understanding of relative valuation and financial markets
• Source and analyse industry and other credit-relevant information and data, inclusive of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) factors
• Interact and communicate with various members of the investment teams, including colleagues in research and trading

Skills and requirements

If you are an undergraduate looking to undertake an industrial placement who has an interest in working within financial services and has the following attributes, we are interested in hearing from you: 

• Team player with a client-focused approach;
• Inquisitive and enjoys interpreting information and problem solving;
• 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;
• Proficient with Excel