Director, Product Development

IFM Investors•New York, NY

About The Position

At IFM, you’re not just part of an investment company – but an invested one. We see the work we do as the chance to take sustainable, responsible steps forward for millions of people around the world. So, we have made sure to create a workplace that’s inclusive, accountable and collaborative. Where you’re given the opportunities to make a meaningful contribution and grow your skills. All while feeling valued and supported for who you are and what you bring to the team. Along with the chance to make a meaningful, positive difference from day one, we offer a competitive salary and generous leave entitlements. Our hybrid and flexible approach can vary by team and role, it is built around trust. We encourage our people to manage their work life rhythm in a way that works best for them and their teams. The Director, Product Development and Structuring (NAM), is responsible for supporting the growth and expansion of IFM’s global platform, with a focus on the design and development of innovative debt solutions. This includes pooled products, separately managed accounts (SMAs), and tailored solutions, delivered across a broad range of client types within IFM’s global investor base.

Requirements

10 years relevant and related experience in debt product structuring and development within an asset management, infrastructure finance, private credit or investment banking environment.
Deep knowledge of debt instruments, credit structures and financing solutions relevant to infrastructure and/or alternative asset classes.
Demonstrable experience in structuring of private asset products, in both fund and non-fund formats including separately managed accounts, with a focus on debt including infrastructure debt, private credit, asset backed finance and other real asset debt.
Experience leading complex interactions with clients & internal stakeholders, demonstrating excellent communication skills, both written and oral, with the ability to convey complex ideas clearly and concisely.
Tertiary qualifications in finance, economics, law, business or similar
Strong understanding and knowledge of infrastructure, debt, and private markets as an asset class with client’s portfolio’s is a key and fundamental requirement
Familiarity with infrastructure and debt funds management industry including key competitors and their product offerings, and industry leading client solutions.
Market knowledge of institutional investors, with a particular focus on North American market including insurance clients and asset consultants.
Demonstrates knowledge gained in previous product management roles within financial services
Market and product knowledge in the areas of Infrastructure, Debt, Listed Equities and other private market asset classes at a global level
Detailed understanding of the competitive landscape in global funds management
Business strategy, including financial metrics and key performance drivers
Stakeholder engagement and management
Technical fund structuring & fund formation knowledge.
Technical knowledge of US regulations and frameworks, and broad knowledge of global funds regulations and regulatory environment including APAC, EMEA and NAM.
Deep understanding of fund and non-fund investment vehicles/structures suitable for clients on global basis.
Understand and apply key investment, tax, legal and accounting concepts to the design of new products and client solutions.
Proficient in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel
Strong presentation skills
Strong stakeholder management skills at senior levels
Able to demonstrate well developed client relationship management skills
Able to demonstrate business acumen, financial metrics and key performance drivers

Nice To Haves

Postgraduate or professional certifications (e.g., CFA, CAIA) are advantageous but not essential.

Responsibilities

Design, structure and deliver sophisticated debt investment solutions (including pooled vehicles, co-investments, SMAs and bespoke mandates) that address the complex and evolving financing needs of a diverse global client base, while ensuring alignment with IFM's commercial strategy, operating model and regulatory standards.
Lead, own and drive the design, structuring and delivery of debt products & structured credit solutions to agreed timescales and within budget, such that the needs and expectations of our existing, and future clients, are met, they comply with regulations, mitigate any potential operational and legal risk exposure of the business, and align with corporate strategy.
Provide authoritative technical guidance on debt-specific structuring matters including fund domicile, vehicle selection, tax-efficient structures, regulatory classification, investor disclosure requirements and operational infrastructure for debt strategies. Promote, embed and continually enhance the product launch & governance model, ensuring compliance to IFM's operating model, product policies and procedures.
Maintain a current and sophisticated understanding of global debt markets, credit & fund regulations, evolving investor requirements and competitive product trends, acting as a subject matter expert and thought leader across the organisation.
Develop actionable investment insights to allow IFM to enhance its reputation as a strategic partner of choice for large institutional investors, enhancing our strong relationships with our owners in Australia, United Kingdom and strategic partnerships with third-party clients around the world.
Facilitate the development of market insights, competitor analysis, storylines, and narratives to help the Global Client Solutions team and other senior client facing executives to build strategic client relationships and test market demand for potential future products and solutions.
Identify broader industry trends and asset owner dynamics that could contribute to the evolution of IFM’s corporate strategy and become a catalyst for the expansion of IFM’s investment capabilities.
Work closely with IFM’s investment teams to translate product ideas into well-defined investment strategies, including investment methodologies, risk management frameworks, and portfolio construction techniques.
Analyse client feedback, industry reports, and data-driven insights to inform product creation and enhancements.
Conduct market research and analysis to identify emerging trends, opportunities, and potential product gaps that align with IFM’s investment capabilities.
Monitor and assess the competitive landscape to stay informed of industry developments and benchmark IFM’s products.
Leverage data analytics, AI, machine learning, and other emerging technologies to enhance our investment research process.
Leverage the investment teams’ insights into market trends, performance benchmarks, pricing, and competitive analysis.
Take ownership of the existing macro research capabilities in a way that facilitates timely and effective inputs into client discussions, product development and investment decisions.
Influence stakeholders and drive change across a global platform. Develop close working relationships with senior leadership and key stakeholder teams throughout the business to resolve barriers to the successful achievement of projects.
Build frameworks to share deep understanding across the firm of broader industry trends, their impact on client needs, competitive dynamics, regulatory trends, and money in motion.
Engage with senior executives and stakeholders to gain support, alignment, and buy-in for the investment research engine, its objectives, and deliverables.
Facilitate effective communication and co-ordination among cross-functional teams to ensure seamless functioning of the investment research engine.
Collaborate with the four other teams within Clients & Strategy to ensure that all deliverables of the investment research engine align with;
client relationships and business development efforts undertaking by Global Client Solutions team; policy research done by the Global External Relations team;
sustainability strategy delivered by the Sustainable Investment team; marketing strategies and materials for new and existing products developed by the Marketing team.