Navigating the Evolving Landscape of Asset Management: Roles, Skills, and Recruiting Strategies

Jan 22, 2023

Asset management is the process of overseeing and managing various financial assets to achieve specific financial goals. It is a critical function within the finance industry and has evolved over the years, giving rise to several subsectors including equity management, fixed income management, alternative investments, real assets management, and multi-asset management. Each of these subsectors has its own set of roles and responsibilities that are essential to the overall success of the business.

The overall business of asset management is to manage assets in order to meet specific financial goals. It involves managing stocks, bonds, real estate, and other forms of investments. Within the asset management industry, there are several subsectors that have emerged, each with their own unique set of roles and responsibilities. These include portfolio managers, equity analysts, research analysts, bond traders, fixed income analysts, credit analysts, hedge fund managers, private equity investors, real estate investors, real estate developers, property managers, natural resource analysts, asset allocation analysts, portfolio managers, and risk managers.

The key skills required for success in the asset management industry include strong analytical and decision-making skills, experience in the relevant market, ability to conduct thorough research, and deep understanding of the market. Executive recruiters play an important role in identifying and recruiting the best talent for these roles. They can screen for the best candidates by asking specific questions about the candidate’s past experience and how it has contributed to the growth of the business, as well as their analytical and decision-making abilities, experience, and understanding of the relevant market:

  1. Networking with industry professionals: Building relationships with industry professionals can help executive recruiters gain insights into the skills and qualifications that are most valued in the asset management industry.
  2. Assessing past performance: Executive recruiters should ask specific questions about a candidate’s past performance and how it has contributed to the growth of the business.
  3. Understanding market trends: Recruiters should have a deep understanding of the relevant markets, including stock, bond, and real estate markets, to identify the best candidates.
  4. Focusing on analytical and decision-making skills: Strong analytical and decision-making skills are essential for success in the asset management industry, so recruiters should focus on identifying candidates who possess these skills.
  5. Identifying candidates with a diverse background: The asset management industry is highly competitive, so recruiters should look for candidates with a diverse background, including experience in different subsectors of the industry, to ensure they bring a unique perspective to the role.
  6. Assessing candidate’s understanding of the industry: Recruiters should assess the candidate’s understanding of the industry and their ability to stay updated with the latest trends and regulations.
  7. Asking for references: Recruiters should ask for references from previous employers or colleagues to gain a better understanding of the candidate’s qualifications and work ethic.
  8. Offering real-life scenarios: Recruiters can use real-life scenarios or case studies to evaluate how candidates would approach and solve problems in the asset management industry.
  9. Checking for certifications and licenses: Recruiters should check if the candidate has any certifications or licenses that are relevant to the asset management industry, such as Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) or Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA)
  10. Using behavioral-based interviewing: Recruiters can use behavioral-based interviewing techniques to evaluate how a candidate has handled similar situations in the past, and how they would handle similar situations in the future.

The asset management industry is a vital part of the finance industry and has grown and evolved over the years. The subsectors of equity management, fixed income management, alternative investments, real assets management, and multi-asset management are all essential to the overall success of the business. The skills required for success in these roles include strong analytical and decision-making abilities, experience, and a deep understanding of the market. Executive recruiters play an important role in identifying and recruiting the best talent for these roles, by asking specific questions about the candidate’s past experience, skills and how it aligns with the growth of the business.

 

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About

David McInnis

President & Founding Partner

David has two decades of global recruitment experience and is Founding Partner of Willard Powell. Prior to founding Willard Powell, David worked with Leathwaite International, a global executive search firm. Before his employment with Leathwaite, David worked for Wachovia Securities (now Wells Fargo Securities) supporting the firm’s Investment Banking & Capital Markets Technology group. David is a graduate of Lasell College in Newton, MA, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Business Management with a concentration in Management Information Systems. David also serves as a Trustee on Lasell’s Board.