Director, Portfolio Manager, Corporate Bonds

iA Financial Group•Montreal, QC

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

This role offers a high degree of decision-making autonomy while operating within a framework of close collaboration with the investment teams. The Director, Portfolio Management, Corporate Credit will actively manage portfolios of corporate and government bonds—primarily investment-grade—on behalf of general funds, taking full responsibility for investment decisions and the portfolios’ risk profiles, while considering the specific constraints of an insurer. The position involves identifying and capitalizing on relative value opportunities to generate outperformance relative to a benchmark index, ensuring portfolios meet client objectives while adhering to their constraints, risk appetite, and tolerance. The role also requires monitoring performance, explaining deviations from a benchmark index, and working closely with portfolio managers and the credit research team.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, or a related field.
At least 7 years of experience in the fixed-income market, including at least 3 years in bond credit portfolio management.
Knowledge of the investment-grade corporate bond market in Canada or the United States, including a solid understanding of major issuers, sectors, and market dynamics.
Strong investment judgment and the ability to thrive in an uncertain environment
Ability to collaborate effectively with other portfolio managers, research, and trading teams
Advanced programming skills.
Proficiency with the Windows environment (particularly Excel).
Knowledge of Bloomberg.
Strong ability to make decisions in an uncertain environment
Ability to express opinions, challenge others, and be challenged
Ability to maintain good relationships with partners
Clear and effective communication

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree (a plus).
Understanding of an insurer’s investment environment (a plus)
Specific knowledge of Python and VBA (a plus).
CFA in progress or completed.
Basic proficiency in French, is a plus as the candidate will be required to interact frequently with colleagues and partners across Canada on a regular basis.

Responsibilities

Actively manage portfolios of corporate and government bonds—primarily investment-grade—on behalf of general funds, taking full responsibility for investment decisions and the portfolios’ risk profiles, while considering the specific constraints of an insurer.
Identify and capitalize on relative value opportunities to generate outperformance relative to a benchmark index.
Ensure that the portfolios under your responsibility meet client objectives while adhering to their constraints as well as their risk appetite and tolerance.
Monitor performance and explain deviations from a benchmark index.
Work closely with portfolio managers and the credit research team
Monitor the team’s decision-making process and actively contribute to it
Discuss the credit market with other investment teams and represent the team at various internal and external forums
Present and defend investment strategies, recommendations, and positioning to internal decision-making bodies, including the investment committee.
Propose and implement process improvements.
Participate in or lead ad hoc projects related to public corporate bonds on behalf of the general funds
Mentor junior team members.