Portfolio Manager, Strategic Allocation & Optimization Americas - Natixis Corporate & Investment Banking : Job Details

Within Credit Portfolio & Resource Management (CPRM) the Strategic Allocation and Optimization (SAO) group is responsible for leading all aspects of optimization of resources for the balance sheet assets under the CPRM scope (Real Assets, elements of Global Trade, ASF, Corporates Financing) and ultimately for coordinating and expressing CPRM's view on Resource Allocation and Active Portfolio Management:

• RWAs: Optimization transactions, SRT, Capital Relief
• Risk management: secondary sales, credit insurance (portfolio and line-by-line), portfolio transactions
• Hedging: credit hedging, identification and execution of additional opportunities (IR, FX)
• Funding: liquidity raising for the CIB
• Structured Distribution (e.g. CLOs) and Distribute-to-Originate
• Portfolio relative value and indicative pricing

It is also the lead on special projects involving the balance sheet management and optimization.

In the Americas platform, the SAO team consists of two full time employees. This description is for a Director/ED- level professional who will work in close coordination with the SAO team in London.

Working with CPRM ExCo, drawing on input from Transverse Portfolio teams (Insight & Analytics), the Portfolio Management, Origination and GM teams, focus on the key missions of the SAO:

Optimization

• Identify portfolio active management options for capital efficiency objectives (optimization, de-risking, limit & concentration management) in cooperation with Global Markets teams for execution (Structuring, Sales, Trading, Syndication), both at line by line and portfolio level : secondary sales, insurance, CDS, synthetic risk transfer solutions, repack…
• Analyze the pros and cons of each hedging solution depending on their impact (metrics, maneuverability e.g. requested alignment). Identify the optimal ones depending on the portfolios (e.g. relational/transactional, sector, geography) and targeted objective.
• Make a recommendation on the recommended active portfolio strategy, to be reviewed regularly and at least monthly
• Manage the existing portfolio of SRTs and other optimization solutions (insurance)
• Coordinate the development of new optimization solutions in the post-Basel3 regulatory environment
• Re-think and improve the processes around Credit Insurance (coordination, risk appetite, liquidity impact, portability & repackaging, long-term agreements)

Market Access

• Secondary sales:
• Review the portfolio with PM and Origination teams for Sales opportunities (de-concentration, risk management, optimization) down to ORE
• Steer the axe sheet and its execution from a portfolio standpoint (prioritization, coordination of execution in partnership with GM teams and PM team)
• Increase the tactical approach (anticipation of market trends)
• Follow up execution and ensure timely feedbacks to investors together with PM team and good coordination with borrowers/insurers, smooth communication across the chain and client expectation management
• Contribute to deliver secondary sales budget and objectives jointly with PM team
• Increase market intelligence by exchanging with market peers and GM Teams
• Foster the global portfolio angle to contribute to cross platforms trades (line by line or structured solutions)
• Establish a methodology to track relative value between the asset classes in the portfolio. Ultimately, derive a transverse risk-appetite at the CPRM level to complement the individual business line risk appetite.

Distribution

• Develop new avenues of distribution for the CIB (Funds, Structured Distribution e.g. CLOs) in coordination with Business Line origination and GM teams when needed
• Use this market intelligence to drive the Portfolio's risk appetite and support Distribution-driven origination
• Act as the project coordinator and the “client” of the internal structuring and syndication functions
• Review existing approaches and challenge if appropriate (insurance, partnerships, participations).

Funding

• Explore repackaging opportunities based on CIB's assets to raise additional liquidity (repos, secured financing, participations, repackaging)
• Lead discussions on behalf of the portfolio on transfer pricing of the liquidity raised
• Establish relationships with potential counterparties, via GM/GSF and if needed independently
• With the Portfolio Insights team, contribute to the monitoring of the encumberment of the assets for various structures and across all dimensions (pledges, green assets, replenishment opportunities etc.)

Special Projects

• Contribute to ad hoc special projects for CPRM e.g. risk analysis, credit stress testing, tools and system design, new initiatives and portfolio reviews
• Lead Quarterly Portfolio Reviews in coordination with Origination and Portfolio Management
• Coordinate with Chamonix the structuring and execution of structured trades with Chamonix Partners, alongside the Head of Distribution for Real Assets.
• Aim to integrate as many of the missions as possible into the digitalization agenda of the Financing Chain

How we work

• As part of a small team, demonstrate an ability to work across siloes in good understanding and to foster cooperation
• Expect to be involved on projects with various CPRM ExCo members
• Be a collegiate leader/ambassador within CPRM: onboard, recruit help, Sinvolve, educate and inspire colleagues from other CPRM teams into your projects
• Be a coordinator of CIB resources and expertise in other divisions to achieve your objectives (Banking Business Lines, GM structuring, syndication, distribution)

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree
• 13+ years of relevant experience
• Player-coach, able to inspire/federate colleagues and to raise the collective understanding of markets dynamics within the Financing chains.
• Solid understanding of Financial Services Markets and Financial Products
• Willingness and ability to succeed in an entrepreneurial environment.
• Ability to manage multitasking, working under pressure to meet deadlines, problem solve and the ability to respond creatively and quickly in a fast-paced and changing environment.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills with the ability to convey thoughts clearly and succinctly and to communicate pertinent complex information in a clear and organized manner.
• Client-focused; ability to effectively and quickly build relationships and establish trust, respect, competence and confidence.
• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills
• Ability to manage people, directly or indirectly and to coach and develop others.
• Ability to design and implement a strategy.

Natixis is an equal opportunity employer, committed to a workplace free of discrimination. Natixis will not tolerate any form of discrimination based on age, color, mental or physical handicap or disability, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, alienage, ancestry or citizenship status, race, religion, sex (including sex stereotyping, gender identity, gender expression or transgender status), veteran status, creed, genetic information or carrier status, or any other protected characteristic as established by law.

Respect for all means that we deal with each person as an individual and not as a member of any group. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. Management is expected to provide leadership in supporting the firms EEO program by taking steps to promote EEO in all facets of employment including recruitment, hiring, retention, promotion, performance assessment, and career-development opportunities.

The salary range for this director- or executive director-level position will be between $200,000 - $275,000. Natixis is required by law to include a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. Actual base salary will vary and will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant experience, education, skills set, applicable licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. Base salary is only one component of our total rewards package. Natixis also offers a generous benefits package, and you may be eligible for a discretionary incentive award depending on company and individual performance.