Head of Global Asset Allocation

Overall purpose of role

The purpose is to be responsible for and accountable to the Private Bank and Wealth Management (PBWM) Global Head of CIO Office, and the rest of the organisation for the PBWM quantitative strategy. The role holder will determine our Strategic Asset Allocation (SAA) for all divisions across PBWM, discretionary as well as advisory. The Head of Quantitative Strategy will also oversee developing quantitative strategy views overtime, notably developing capabilities to analyse clients’ portfolio from a quantitative point of view.

The role holder will also communicate to final clients via meetings, conference calls, etc... organised by Private Bankers and IAs. The role will take full responsibility for development and positioning a “best in class” SAA advisory. Furthermore, the role includes responsibility of client satisfaction, staff engagement, revenues generation from tactical/thematic ideas linked to quantitative strategies. The successful candidate will need to ensure requisite governance, control and compliance around any decision. The purpose is to achieve an academically robust and credible framework for talking to clients about SAA and important quantitative trends in the financial industry.

Key Accountabilities

• The role holder is responsible for the quantitative analysis views as well as the SAA that will be translated into investments and recommendations to clients.
• The role holder will develop internal and proprietary models to reach its goals while constantly seeking opportunities to automate process and enhance resiliency in our processes.
• Develop several sets of SAAs to address all stakeholders’ needs including listed as well as private assets .
• The role holder will ensure that PBWM investment teams are well aware of the SAA and all quantitative views, and that those views are used to generate additional revenues and enhance the image of the private bank within the industry.
• The PBWM Head of Quantitative Strategy will enhance the investment process for advisory, adding quantitative analysis to the current framework.
• The candidate will oversee all quantitative strategy documents, being internal or external.
• In conjunction with partners in operational Risk and Compliance, the role holder will ensure adequate controls are in place to minimise and mitigate operational and client risks.  This will include the design and implementation of effective systems of control as well as leading the model validation process.

Person Specification

The successful candidate will have a demonstrable track record and experience as Head of Quantitative Strategy (or senior quantitative strategist) in a top-tier institution. A PhD in a quantitative field with several years of experience successfully running a SAA is a pre-requisite. In addition, they will have a strong understanding of the Private Banking business, especially in relation to family offices and UHNW quantitative needs.

The successful candidate will also be up to date to the latest development in quantitative finance (AI, machine learning, big data, etc...). The candidate will also need to be a team player, have the capacity to work with Group stakeholders, while being able to think independently as well.

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate a proven ability to manage complex and relentless change and will know how to navigate a matrix environment across a variety of functions to reach outcomes that are the best for the clients and the firm.

The successful candidate will have strong internal credibility within the organisation and have the ability to interact with sophisticated clients. The candidate will also be able to adapt to his/her audience

Purpose of the role

To generate the PBWM views on financial markets and strategic asset allocation. 

Accountabilities

• Provision of expert input and content on investment-related topics.
• Management of product development initiatives, including oversight of colleagues and their performance, implementation of departmental goals and objectives, oversight of department efficiency and effectiveness.  .
• Relationship management of product development stakeholders, including identifying relevant stakeholders, and maintenance of the quality of external third party services.
• Development and implementation of policies and procedures for product development.
• Management of product development risk, including identification of potential risks, development of strategies to mitigate those risks, and maintenance of alignment between the bank’s product development and compliance functions.  .
• Stay up to date with of regulatory changes to ensure that all content provided to clients aligns with current requirements and standards, maintaining compliance and safeguarding the interests of both clients and the PBWM.
• Organisation and facilitation of the PBWM main internal meetings (GMC and GIC) ensuring smooth coordination and effective communication among stakeholders.

Director Expectations

• To manage a business function, providing significant input to function wide strategic initiatives. Contribute to and influence policy and procedures for the function and plan, manage and consult on multiple complex and critical strategic projects, which may be business wide..
• They manage the direction of a large team or sub-function, leading other people managers and embedding a performance culture aligned to the values of the business. Or for an individual contributor, they lead organisation wide projects and act as deep technical expert and thought leader, identifying new ways of working and collaborating cross functionally. They will train, guide and coach less experienced specialists and provide information affecting long term profits, organisational risks and strategic decisions..
• Provide expert advice to senior functional management and committees to influence decisions made outside of own function, offering significant input to function wide strategic initiatives.
• Manage, coordinate and enable resourcing, budgeting and policy creation for a significant sub-function.
• Escalates breaches of policies / procedure appropriately.
• Foster and guide compliance, ensure regulations are observed that relevant processes in place to facilitate adherence.
• Focus on the external environment, regulators, or advocacy groups to both monitor and influence on behalf of Barclays, when appropriate.
• Demonstrate extensive knowledge of how the function integrates with the business division / Group to achieve the overall business objectives.
• Maintain broad and comprehensive knowledge of industry theories and practices within own discipline alongside up-to-date relevant sector / functional knowledge, and insight into external market developments / initiatives.
• Use interpretative thinking and advanced analytical skills to solve problems and design solutions in often complex/ sensitive situations.
• Exercise management authority to make significant decisions and certain strategic decisions or recommendations within own area.
• Negotiate with and influence stakeholders at a senior level both internally and externally.
• Act as principal contact point for key clients and counterparts in other functions/ businesses divisions.
• Mandated as a spokesperson for the function and business division.

All Senior Leaders are expected to demonstrate a clear set of leadership behaviours to create an environment for colleagues to thrive and deliver to a consistently excellent standard. The four LEAD behaviours are: L – Listen and be authentic, E – Energise and inspire, A – Align across the enterprise, D – Develop others.

All colleagues will be expected to demonstrate the Barclays Values of Respect, Integrity, Service, Excellence and Stewardship – our moral compass, helping us do what we believe is right. They will also be expected to demonstrate the Barclays Mindset – to Empower, Challenge and Drive – the operating manual for how we behave.