Portfolio Analysis / Portfolio Construction Role - how good or bad?
The role would involve implementing portfolio views and conducting portfolio analysis working closely with portfolio managers and traders. If someone is coming out of an MBA program, is this a good role to start at? I don't even think this is an MBA level job
Is this a job that was posted at your b-school? Is it with a mutual fund, hedge fund, or bank?
I think its a good role. Most roles in Asset Management don't have an MBA feeder to them BTW
I used to do this at a major asset manager and the only MBA in the group got his degree online from U of Phoenix. It is still a somewhat coveted job in that you are in the front office and you "touch the securities" so you might get promoted later into a real investment group. However, it is generally not seen as being on the A-list (in my experience) and you may have some stigma to deal with. It really depends on the company. The key word is "Implement". This means one thing: this group does not make decisions. And "working closely with portfolio managers and traders" often means getting treated like garbage and taking all the risk that comes with processing trade ideas. You are not on their team. That being said, during these times it's not a bad way to get started at all and with your MBA you might be able to bring the group to a higher level since there are always ways to make improvements. That can be worthwhile.
Every time I come across a job posting that says "working closely with portfolio managers and traders" I automatically lose interest because that's always a euphemism for glorified middle-office job where you get shit on by the actual decision makers.
You are correct to have that reaction. But it isn't always that bad. Sometimes there are roles within those groups that are cool. For example, if your primary responsibility is [getting shit on and scapegoated] implementing trades for separately managed accounts, then there will invariably be accounts that need specialized attention. The decision makers will not care about these accounts and it can fall to you to take ownership.
Or, some PMs are dicks and others will be nice to you and maybe put in a good word for you when it counts. That definitely helped be once.
After reading others posts this could be anything from a good fun analytic role to something uber middle office :/
Sounds a bit like what I fell into doing, which is almost glorified middle office.
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