Investment Banking

Investment Banking

Selby Jennings: Recruitment Partner for financial sciences & services in Singapore

Our financial sciences & services team provides permanent, contract, and multi-hire recruitment from our office in Singapore.

For nearly 20 years, our clients and candidates have had peace of mind that their specialist Corporate & Investment Banking recruitment process is in safe hands.

From streamlining processes and upskilling workforces, to staying cutting edge by employing flexible work models, we advise enterprise leaders on when to strike and how. We also provide expert insights to Investment Banking professionals on benchmarking benefits packages and salaries and assist them through their career moves.

Whether youโ€™re interested in securing the very best Corporate Banking talent in Singapore or youโ€™re an investment banker looking for Investment Banking Associate jobs in Singapore, Corporate Banking Analyst jobs, or Corporate Banking entry-level jobs, the Selby Jennings Corporate & Investment Banking team connects exceptional talent to industry-leading clients.

If you are a candidate, please Register your CV and get discovered for all relevant roles.โ€‹

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โ€‹โ€‹If you are a client looking to source the best talent, please Register Your Vacancy or Request a Call back.


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Benefits of working with Selby Jennings

We are a specialist talent/recruitment partner. Among the many benefits of working with Selby Jennings Corporate & Investment Banking team located in Singapore:

Experience

We have nearly 20 years of experience as a leading recruiter in financial sciences & services.

โ€‹Network

A vast, global network of the best, in-demand professionals, working with the worldโ€™s largest financial institutions to innovative fintech start-ups and beyond.โ€‹

โ€‹Knowledge

Our award-winning talent specialists offer bespoke, tailored guidance on the latest hiring trends and industry news to help you achieve your goals.

At Selby Jennings, we believe in fostering long-term partnerships based on trust, integrity, and mutual success. We strive to provide personalized solutions tailored to your specific requirements, offering flexible options to accommodate your Investment Banking hiring preferences. Whether you need to fill critical positions quickly or are seeking strategic talent acquisition solutions, we have the resources and expertise to deliver results. Submit your vacancy to us today.

Take the first step towards overcoming your talent shortage today by completing the form. Our team looks forward to speaking with you to explore how we can partner with your organization to meet your Corporate & Investment Banking recruitment needs in Singapore efficiently and effectively.

Corporate & Investment Banking Jobs

Investment Banking Senior Analyst

The Investment Banking Senior Analyst will be responsible for: Assisting senior leadership on capital markets transactions throughout the entire lifecycle of the deal Conducting market research Establish and maintain client relationships Create financial models and pitch decks via PowerPoint presentation The Investment Banking Senior Analyst should have: 2+ years of Investment Banking experience (capital markets specifically) Mentality of a self-starter and impeccable communication skills Bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics, Accounting or related field. If you're interested in the Investment Banking Senior Analyst opportunity, please do not hesitate to apply in directly below!

US$70000 - US$150000 per year
United States of America
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VP of Business Development - M&A

Job Title: VP of Business Development - M&A Salary: $250k Base 50-100% Bonus + equity Location: New Jersey, New York City, Boston, Atlanta or Chicago Company Summary: We are currently partnered with a leading Wealth Management firm with a rapid expansion plan going into 2025. They have seen great success within the RIA, Wealth Management, broader Financial Services space and are looking to add on a VP on their team primarily focused on building relationships and sourcing new clients for the firm. The Investment Banking Vice President should have: 7+ years in Business Development or Corporate Development Experience within the Financial Services/ Wealth Management Space Ability to leverage their network to source M& targets

Up to US$250000 per year
New Jersey
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Investment Banking Analyst

Title: Investment Banking Analyst Company Summary: We are currently partnered with a top tier lower Middle Market Industrials bank looking to add an Investment Banking Analyst to their growing team. This Investment Banking Analyst will have the opportunity to join a team that is on track to have another record year gaining sell-side M&A reps and experience working with senior leadership for clear path for upward mobility. The Investment Banking Analyst will be responsible for: Preparing and delivering presentations throughout the deal execution period. Assist in the coordination of internal and external resources in the due diligence process for M&A transactions. Assisting in the execution of M&A transactions, mostly on sell-side M&A. Conducting extensive industry, market, and company-specific research. Building and maintaining client relations with established and prospective clients. The Investment Banking Analyst should have the following qualifications: 6+ months within Investment Banking or Private Equity Industry experience within Industrials or Consumer and Retail preferred, but not required. Bachelors in Finance, Economics, Business or related fields. Strong closed M&A deal experience. If you are interested in the Investment Banking Analyst role, then please don't wait to apply. Email me over a copy of your resume and we can schedule a time to chat.

US$100000 - US$110000 per year
Fort Lauderdale
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Managing Director Investment Banking

Title: Managing Director Investment Banking Company Summary: We are currently partnered with a high performing, full service, Middle Market/lower Middle Market boutique Investment Bank with office locations across the United States looking for a Managing Director of Investment Banking to make an impact. Opportunity to join a reputable firm with a proven track record of success with junior resources to support execution. The Investment Banking Managing Director will be responsible for: Building out the M&A practice within a specific industry Deal origination in specialized sector/sub-sector Overseeing the entire M&A deal process from origination to successful completion (short term) Assembling and mentoring a team of additional junior resources The Investment Banking Managing Director should have: 10+ years of Investment Banking experience Experience successfully managing and leading a team, preferably at a regional boutique or middle market bank Successful track record of originating, managing, and closing sell side M&A deals If this role peaks your interest, please don't hesitate to apply in directly below!

Negotiable
Texas
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M&A Advisor

We am currently partnered with a top tier Architecture, Engineering and Construction consulting firm looking to add an Advisor to their M&A team in Boston, MA. You will have the opportunity to work alongside some of the best clients in the space, gaining extensive M&A and sourcing experience while working directly with senior c-suite level leadership. M&A Advisor will be responsible for: Executing transactions for clients in the Industrials Sector. Perform analysis on potential mergers and acquisitions of companies in the Architecture, Construction, and Engineering space. Be creative in the support of senior leadership with innovative ideas and visual analyses. M&A Advisor should have the following qualifications: 6+ years of M&A experience within IB, PE or Corporate Development. Ability to perform data analysis as well as visualization methods Sitting in Boston, MA or willing to relocate to Boston, MA. If you are interested in the M&A Advisor role, then please don't wait to apply.

Up to US$120000 per year
Boston
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Senior Associate - Restructuring & PE Advisory

Selby Jennings is currently working with a nationally recognized Turnaround, Restructuring and Advisory firm serving clients in the middle market in their search to bring on a Senior Associate. Position Summary: Provide extensive financial and operational support on client engagements across a variety of industries and markets. Utilize experience and on the job training to successfully deliver reports, models, and work product that helps guide the direction and decisions related to client turnaround and/or restructuring objectives. Experience: 5-10 years of relevant experience within the Restructuring/Turnaround, Audit/Accounting, Transaction Advisory, or some other relevant line of work. Willingness to travel often and work overtime as needed. Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Finance, Accounting or a related field. Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following: (Other duties may be assigned) Building, maintaining, and analyzing 13-week cash flow models Preparing financial models and pro-forma financial statements Assessing validity of cash flow projections and business plans Evaluating strategic options to maximize value during restructuring processes Developing ad-hoc financial analysis and sensitivity analyses Working closely with clients to develop and implement solutions to challenging business problems Leading the preparation of high quality reports and delivering presentations to clients Participating in business development, marketing, and recruiting activities Other Essential Functions or Requirement of Position: Ability to travel by air and ground to support client requirements Capacity to thrive in a fast-paced, challenging, and uncertain environment Ability to maintain and cultivate positive relationships with clients, subcontract groups and corporate staff Strong facilitation skills, forging consensus around credible, executable solutions If you'd like to learn more, please apply today

US$140000 - US$190000 per annum + Bonus + Car
Chicago
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Investment Banking Managing Director

Company Summary: We are currently working with a specialty Middle Market investment bank out of Denver, Colorado who is looking to add senior talent to their active deal team. This opportunity will allow candidates to source and execute deals with the help of a strong junior team in both M&A and Capital Markets. Investment Banking Managing Director will be responsible for: Client Relationship Management: Building and maintaining strong relationships with clients to understand their financial needs, providing strategic advice, and ensuring satisfaction with services offered. Deal Origination and Execution: Leading the identification, structuring, and execution of financial transactions, such as mergers and acquisitions, capital raises, and other advisory services. Team Leadership and Development: Overseeing and mentoring junior bankers and analysts, fostering a collaborative team environment, and ensuring that team members develop the skills necessary for their career advancement. Investment Banking Managing Director should have the following qualifications: 10+ years of Investment Banking experience within the Healthcare space. MBA or Bachelors in Finance, Business related fields, or Economics. Extensive sell side M&A experience. If you are interested in the Investment Banking Managing Director role, then please don't wait to apply.

Up to US$200000 per year
Denver
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Investment Banking Associate

Title: Investment Banking Associate Company Summary: We are working with a top tier firm in the Charlotte, NC area looking to add a Investment Banking Associate to their growing Industrials M&A team. You will have the opportunity to support end-to-end deal execution process, continue to gain extensive M&A experience as well as gain direct client facing experience with a lean deal team. The Investment Banking Associate will be responsible for: Preparing and delivering presentations throughout the deal execution period. Assist in the coordination of internal and external resources in the due diligence process for M&A transactions. Assisting in the execution of M&A transactions, mostly on sell-side M&A. Conducting extensive industry, market, and company-specific research. Building and maintaining client relations with established and prospective clients. The Investment Banking Associate should have the following qualifications: 2+ years within Investment Banking. Bachelors in Finance, Economics, Business or related fields. Strong closed M&A deal experience. If you are interested in the Investment Banking Associate, then please don't wait to apply. Email me over a copy of your resume and we can schedule a time to chat.

Negotiable
Charlotte
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TAS - Senior Associate

Our client is a dynamic and globally recognized firm that is rapidly expanding its presence in the US. They specialize in Transaction Advisory Services, focusing on Financial Due Diligence for a variety of exciting and high-profile transactions. Their lean team structure ensures ample opportunities for mentorship and professional growth, offering a clear path for upward mobility. Position Overview: They are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Senior Associate to join their Transaction Advisory Services team. In this role, you will play a critical part in conducting financial due diligence for mergers and acquisitions, providing valuable insights and recommendations to our clients. Key Responsibilities: Conduct comprehensive financial due diligence for buy-side and sell-side transactions. Analyze financial statements, identify key trends, and assess financial risks and opportunities. Prepare detailed reports and presentations for clients, highlighting key findings and recommendations. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless execution of transactions. Mentor and guide junior team members, fostering a collaborative and supportive work environment. Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field; CPA or CFA designation preferred. 2-4 years of experience in financial due diligence, transaction advisory, or related fields. Strong analytical skills and attention to detail. Excellent communication and presentation skills. Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.

US$110000 - US$120000 per year
New York
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Director of Business Development

Title: Director of Business Development Company Summary: I am working with a Generalist M&A Advisory firm looking to add a Director of Business Development to their growing team. They have completed over $2 billion in transactions and have been highly acquisitive in the space. They were awarded Best Mid-Market M&A Consultancy by Acquisitions International in 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022. This opportunity will allow you to sit REMOTE and continue to build out your own book of business on both the buy-side and sell-side of M&A. Director of Business Development will be responsible for: Sourcing and managing M&A transactions Support the execution team throughout the deal process Identifying, qualifying, and generating new prospect leads Managing the client relationship and overseeing all client and counter-party communication Director of Business Development should have the following qualifications: 8+ years of sell-side M&A experience A book of business within buy-side and sell-side M&A MBA or Bachelors in Finance, Economics, Business or related fields

Up to US$130000 per year
Winter Park
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Investment Banking Managing Director

Title: Investment Banking Managing Director Company Summary: We are currently partnered with a leading specialty investment bank looking to bring on a Managing Director to add to their existing industrials coverage areas and build out new coverage areas within the bank. This opportunity provides extensive resources to assist in your success while having the opportunity to truly take ownership over a coverage area with a fast track to Partner. This MD must be willing to sit out of Houston, Denver, or Raleigh and have an extensive book of business within Industrials. The Investment Banking Managing Director will be responsible for: Deal origination in specialized sector/subsector Overseeing the entire M&A deal process from origination to successful completion (short term) Assembling and mentoring a team of additional junior resources The Investment Banking Managing Director should have: 10+ years of Industrials Investment Banking experience Experience successfully managing and leading a team, preferably at a regional boutique or middle market bank Successful track record of originating, managing, and closing sell side M&A deals

Negotiable
Raleigh
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Investment Banking Analyst

Title: Investment Banking Analyst Company Summary: We are currently partnered with an investment banking firm dedicated to providing world-class M&A and capital raising solutions exclusively to growth-oriented Business Services and Technology companies looking to add an Investment Banking Analyst. They combine deep market insights across software, services and data, to help entrepreneurs, private equity owners and board of directors successfully advance their vision. The Investment Banking Analyst will be responsible for: Preparing and delivering presentations throughout the deal execution period. Assist in the coordination of internal and external resources in the due diligence process for M&A transactions. Assisting in the execution of M&A transactions, mostly on sell-side M&A. Conducting extensive industry, market, and company-specific research. Building and maintaining client relations with established and prospective clients. The Investment Banking Analyst should have the following qualifications: 1+ years within Investment Banking. Bachelors in Finance, Economics, Business or related fields. Strong closed M&A deal experience. If you are interested in the Investment Banking Analyst role, then please don't wait to apply. Email me over a copy of your resume and we can schedule a time to chat.

Negotiable
McLean
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Corporate & Investment Banking News & Insights

Singapore Investment Banking Salary Guide - 2024 Image
industry insights

Singapore Investment Banking Salary Guide - 2024

โ€‹The investment banking market in Singapore is experiencing remarkable growth, driven by its status as a global financial hub and its strategic location in Asia. The market is projected to contribute significantly to the global investment banking sector, which is estimated to reach USD $213.6 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 10.8%. This growth underscores the sector's complexity, fast-paced nature, and the extensive range of services it provides.Given these dynamics, keeping up with the latest salary and bonus movements can be challenging. The latest Global Investment Banking Salary Guide - 2024 is designed to help you navigate the current compensation landscape, offering valuable insights for employers aiming to attract their next key hire, and professionals looking to benchmark their current compensation against their peers in Singapore.Key Highlights of the Guide:Comprehensive Salary and Bonus Benchmarks: The guide includes detailed salary and bonus benchmarks for a variety of key roles across boutique, middle market, elite, and bulge bracket firms in Singapore.Firm-Specific Insights: In-depth compensation benchmarks are provided for different categories of investment banks operating in Singapore, broken down by job title:Boutique Investment BanksMiddle Market Investment BanksGlobal Investment Banks with significant presence in SingaporeElite Boutique Investment BanksBulge Bracket Investment BanksTailored for the Singapore Market: The guide reflects the unique aspects of Singapore's investment banking industry, such as local regulations, market trends, and the impact of Singapore's economic policies on the financial sector.โ€‹Optimize Your Hiring StrategyWhether you are an employer looking to attract top talent or a professional aiming to negotiate your next salary package, this Global Investment Banking Salary Guide - 2024 provides the essential data you need to succeed.Stay Competitive in Singaporeโ€™s Financial Services HubSingapore's strategic location and robust financial ecosystem make it a prime destination for investment banking. Stay ahead of the curve with Selby Jennings' comprehensive guide, tailored specifically for the Singapore market. โ€‹

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Southeast Asia Salary Guide 2023

โ€‹Stay Ahead in Southeast AsiaDiscover the 2023 Salary Guide for Hiring and Job HuntingDetermine what you should be paying your employees, or how much you could be earning.Stay ahead of the competition with valuable insights into salary trends, bonus structures, and compensation benchmarks across various roles and sectors within the Southeast Asia region. Our comprehensive 2023 Salary Guide is specifically tailored to provide you with the information you need for successful hiring and job hunting in Southeast Asia.Whether you're a professional seeking to understand your remuneration better or an employer looking to attract and retain top talent, our salary guide is your essential resource. With in-depth analysis and up-to-date data, you can make informed decisions that maximize your financial success.Our latest salary guide covers the following sectors:โ€‹Investment BankingInvestment ManagementWealth ManagementQuantitative Analytics, Research & TradingRisk ManagementFinancial TechnologySales & Trading

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Investment Management Singapore Salary Guide

โ€‹โ€‹As a hiring manager, knowing the market rate for the positions you are looking to fill is critical to sourcing, retaining, and rewarding top talent. By downloading our Selby Jennings Singapore Salary Guide, you can quickly and easily access up-to-date salary and bonus information in private equity, private credit, investor relations, public markets/hedge funds and real estate.Our salary and bonus guide provides detailed salary information for both public and private sectors covering the following job titles:โ€‹Hedge Fund Portfolio ManagerAsset Managers, Equity/Fixed Income Research - Director ResearchAsset Managers, Portfolio Manager (Equity/Fixed Income) - Senior Portfolio ManagerPrivate Equity Real Estate Vice President/PrincipalDownload our Selby Jennings' 2023 Singapore Investment Management Salary Guide today to ensure you are offering competitive salaries.โ€‹

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investment-management

Investment Management Hiring Insights

โ€‹As the Investment Management market experiences serious change - undergoing profound transformation and grappling with a mixed economic picture worldwide - itโ€™s never been more important to take stock of the hiring landscape, both as a business in the market for the very best talent, and for professionals considering their career options. The latest Selby Jennings Investment Management report on hiring will guide you through: Download the Investment Management Hiring Insights report here.โ€‹โ€‹โ€‹โ€‹

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Tech in Singapore - Large Investments Call For Scarce Talent

โ€‹The InvestmentA pivotal moment in distributed ledger technology (DLT) development has just taken place in Singapore, with the government investing S$50 million to create a global digital trust market in the city-state. Over the next five years, this multi-million investment will develop digital trust capabilities that can enhance data privacy, create more secure transactions, greater accountability, transparency, and improved governance. Currently, DLT, a part of blockchain, is almost exclusively used in the cryptocurrency sector except for a few industry applications. While the DLT and blockchain players can expect invigorating activities in this new digital trust push, a major concern arises on whether there is enough talent to drive this initiative forward. The Talentโ€œThe talent needed for this will typically be software developers and engineers with skills in DevSecOps, which is about application and infrastructure security. Additionally, open-source software including programming languages like C++, Python and Java will also be essential,โ€ says our Assistant Vice President of technology practice โ€“ Jin Han Tan, in a recent interview with TechGoondu. Tan states โ€œAnother group of desirable talent are the low latency/ultra-low latency developers and those with working experience in ultra-low latency environments.โ€These professionals have the technical know-how to optimize a very high volume of data messages with minimal delay or latency which is often a requirement for DLT. The highest demand lands on mid-level executives with about 8-12 years of experience in DLT who can apply their skills to the business. โ€œThey would be earning about $180,000 a year, but often a price war will take place because each candidate will have 4-5 offers on handโ€ Tan explains.The Gap In-BetweenTech talent is already in short supply, even more so in these new emerging technologies. Last year, Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, who was overseeing Singaporeโ€™s Smart Nation program highlighted that about 60,000 tech professionals are needed as the country pushes industries to digitalise.Currently, the tech job market is divided into two pools. One is made up of younger tech professionals with strong foundational training and degrees in computer science and related disciplines, but not enough working experience. The other pool comprises of industry veterans with about 20 years who have to pick up distributed ledger technology to stay ahead. Tan says that many struggles to transit to the new technology. The acute shortage is not going to let up anytime soon, Tan says. โ€œThere just is not enough academic courses available in the blockchain. There are training courses but nothing close to a full degree.โ€Looking Outside to Fill WithinWith the gap between Singaporeโ€™s ambitious investments and their current talent pool stretched so wide, this shortage could very well entice many tech professionals of ranging seniority to the city-state. Although 60,000 tech professionals required is a tall order to fill, our Global Job Confidence Index 2021 showed that APAC financial services professionals expressed the highest willingness to relocate worldwide โ€“ specifically to Singapore.In our recent Mid-Year Market Review, the Technology team lead describes that global companies are working to move talent internally or remotely onboard new talent until travel restriction eases. At Selby Jennings, we foresee the ever-demanded need for Technology professionals to continue across all sectors of the tech function. Read the original interview with TechGooDu here.Looking to fill your hiring needs? Contact Usโ€‹

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Is Your Boss Invested in Your Career Development?  Image
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Is Your Boss Invested in Your Career Development?

โ€‹The banking and financial services sector is the third largest employer in Singapore. The city is the Asian hub for both large banks, and small, innovative fintech companies, which are quickly growing and transforming the sector.ย ย This evolving landscape means the traditional career ladder has become more of a zig-zag path, and guidance from higher management levels has become more important than ever. If you are not having regular one-to-ones with your boss about your personal career development plan, your career roadmap may be in trouble.ย ย This article reviews the signs of a disengaged boss and outlines how to introduce a career development talk which is actionable and productive.ย โ€‹

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Why Your Business Should Invest in Work Life Balance

โ€‹โ€‹For many employers and HR professionals in financial services, developing work-life balance strategies that bring tangible benefits to the business and their employees can be challenging. In a candidate-led market, employees have more choice than ever, and after salary and job security they state thatย work-life balanceย is the most important factor for job satisfaction. To attract and retain fantastic employees, employers must adopt strategies that appeal to a workforce that demands greater work-life balance.What is work-life balance and how do we measure it?While the term 'work-life balance' has yet to lose its buzz in recent years, an agreed upon definition remains elusive. The general consensus, as the name suggests, is that work-life balance is the division of a person's time betweenย work, and family or leisure activities. As researchers atGriffith Universityacknowledge, the 'carry over' from an individual's multiple life roles is bidirectional; the demands from family or other personal matters can negatively influence performance at work and vice versa. The โ€˜rightโ€™ balance of the two is subjective, but recent studies suggest that employees feel work has aย disproportionate share; affecting their personal commitments and causing severe stress. For most people, a healthy balance between the two can be incredibly hard to achieve.ย It's no secret that the work hours in financial services are incredibly demanding.1 in 3 financial analystsregularly spend between 50 and 70 hours a week at work; while those in corporate finance exceed 90 hours. Long hours in a high pressure environment can have a dramatic physiological effect. In 2013, Moritz Erhadt, an intern at Bank of America's London officedied after working three straight days.ย The failure to find a healthy work-life balance as a finance professional means that the industry has a divorce rate of 33.9% according to aggregated data from theUS Census Bureau's 5-Year American Community Survey.Technological advances have enabled new career opportunities. In a survey of 18,000 professionals across 89 international companies, IWG found that70% of people now workremotelyat least once a week, though BNY Mellon recently scrapped the practice for their UK 3,000 employees to enable"better collaboration and quicker decision making". While such technologies have allowed greater freedom ofwhereto work, they've also removed any obstacle forย whento work. Work can filter into every moment of our personal lives. Employees are increasingly struggling to switch off from thinking about work when they continue to receive push notifications once they've left the office. Globalisation anddigitalisationย have contributed to a 24 hour work culture, where working from your phone is the norm and every moment in whatever space holds business potential.ย An increasingly integrated 'work-life' suggests that a dichotomy between the two is unsustainable. Is it worth the organisational effort to keep work and non-work separated, and what are the benefits of doing so?ย ย Work-life balance makes employees happier, healthier and more likely to stayA good work-life balance is imperative for a healthy working environment and happy, motivated employees. Yet according to a survey by theย Mental Health Foundation, work is overtaking life for more than 40% of employees. As a greater number of professionals continue to work longer than their contracted hours, we are witnessing a dramatic increase in associated mental health issues, including stress and depression, which are costly to employees and employers alike.ย In the financial services industry, the picture is even worse.ย A recent survey conducted byย Mental Health Englandย identified that financial services jobs are 44 percent more likely to cause a stress-related illness than the average role in the UK.ย Poor work-life balance has a profoundly negative impact on retention. For the tenth anniversary of the collapse of Lehman Brothers, we conducted aglobal surveyof financial services professionals to ask how they felt about working in the industry and how confident they were in its future.ย Only 20% said they were happy in finance and had neverย considered moving to another industry. Almost half wereย actively searching for a different role and almost half (47%) said they had lost someone in theirย team to another industry or further education in the lastย six months.ย Around the world, women are usually still the primary caregivers for their children. Poor maternity leave or childcare initiatives can make it even more difficult for women to find a healthy work-life balance. No wonder that the Mental Health Foundation has found that42% of female UK employeessaid they were unhappy at work, compared to 29% of men. Arecent study by PwCfound that financial services was falling behind in the upwards mobility of women due to poor work-life balance. Sixty percent of working mothers in financial services believe they were overlooked for advancement upon returning to work from parental leave, and more than half said that their companies' flexible work options weren't readily accessible or would negatively impact their careers.ย With this in mind, employers may look to primarily engage their female staff to collaboratively explore work-life solutions that benefit all. For employers that continue to shy away from the necessity of work-life policy, the financial ramifications could be significant.ย Poor work-life balance is not worth the costPoor work-life balance costs the global economy billions each year. Research from theย Centre for Mental Healthย revealed that absence from work for employees suffering from mental health issues is costing the UK economy ยฃ26 billion each year. Across the pond, theย Harvard Business Reviewย also found that problems associated with a poor work-life balance are costing between $125 and $190 billion in healthcare spending each year in the US.This, of course, means that forย organisationsย that operate internationally the financial penalty for not proactively managing the need for work-life balance fast becomes costly and counter-intuitive.The financial services industry must reimagine the ways in which it can deliver an effective work-life balance to its employees. Responsibility for identifying work-life initiatives that suit the industry and the professionals working within it must fall to both employer and employee.For an employee, it is important to voice suggestions and contribute to policy development. Employees should also take steps to manage their own work-life balance by setting boundaries and placing greater focus on โ€˜clocking offโ€™ when the workday ends. Management should make efforts to become more aware of the pressures experienced by their staff and aim to facilitate the transition towards greater flexibility and work-life innovation.ย Unlike theย baby boomersย before them, theย vast majority of millennials (81%)ย feel they should set their own working patterns and have the option to work from home on occasion. It may be worth taking note, that 80% of baby boomers (born between 1945 and 1960) are now, later in their careers, reporting moderate to high-stress levels.Collaboration is the key to successAny initiatives to improve work-life balance will only be sustainable if approached in a consultative manner. Employers and employers must come together to rethink how they work and how they can define new ways of working.ย A better work-life balance will inevitably lead to better retention, greater longevity within the industry and, most importantly, better well-being for everyone working within it.From speaking daily to hundreds of clients and candidates, we understand what good work-life balance looks like in different cultures. For personal advice on how to make meaningful changes to attract and retain employees,ย contact us today.--------------------About UsSelby Jennings is a leading specialist recruitment agency for banking and financial services. For more than 15 years, we have given clients and candidates peace of mind that the recruitment process is in expert hands. Our continual investment in best-in-class technologies and consultant training enables us to recruit with speed, precision and accuracy. Today, Selby Jennings provides contingency and retained search recruitment across 11 offices in 6 countries.ย Contact usย to find out how Selby Jennings can help you.

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corporate-and-investment-banking

The Growth of Quants in Investment Banks

โ€‹โ€‹Picture an investment bank drawn in a โ€˜Whereโ€™s Waldo?โ€™ style. Youโ€™ve got traders, finance, the legal team, and management; human resources, and an IT team hammering away at their keyboards. Where would you expect to find the quantitative analytics, research & trading team (quants)?Ten years ago, quants would have been tucked away on trading desks, inputting data into Excel spreadsheets and working through it manually to uncover patterns and statistics. Their findings would help traders to confirm the right price and most promising investment options.Skip forward a decade and the role of the quant has changed substantially. For the most part, they are now incorporated into risk management teams, instead of being on a trading desk. There are more of them, they are a more diverse group, and they use new tools to carry out different tasks. They are in considerable demand and much valued by financial organisations. What brought about this change?Why are there more quants?The last decade has seen a breathtaking speed of technological development. Analytic software combined with increased opportunities to gather data have led to Big Data: more information, collected more quickly. There are sophisticated tools to integrate, sort, and process this data into state-of-the-art models.Electronic modelling now means that trading can be carried out by computers, based on an algorithm calculation of the most favourable moment to buy and sell. If algorithms are often the brawn behind hedge funds, investment banks, asset management services, and private equity firms, quants are the brains: they program the algorithms that make the system work.Quants are also used more and more in the business of risk, helping to calculate probabilities and statistics using advanced modelling. This enables risk management teams to keep on the right side of an increasing volume of laws and procedures needed to manage risks appropriately.There are now many more quants employed in this reformulated role, shifting from revenue generation to risk management. Banks require quants for a range of functions including the valuation aspects of derivatives and pricing.A more diverse quant workforceAnother notable change in the last decade is the increasing diversity of the quant workforce. Although this STEM-related field used to be dominated by men from a similar background, the talent pool is now much broader and includes many women. Female quant talent is much in demand by banks seeking to improve the diversity of their teams.As with other STEM areas, fewer women studying related subjects such as Math and Physics means this female talent is hard to find. When female quants are recruited to firms, employers have an additional incentive to keep them motivated and committed to the role, in an effort to retain this highly sought after talent.The use of models and tools: a systematic or discretionary approach?The development of algorithms, machine learning, and related tools has transformed the nature of quantitative analysis. Quants need to ensure that data is interpreted and presented in the best possible way, but there is very little inputting and processing done through human labour any more.This has led to a divergence of opinion on the best way to approach investment decisions. As Leda Braga, a high-flying quant known as the โ€˜Queen of Quantsโ€™ has said, trading is now dominated by two approaches to decision-making: systematic and discretionary.A discretionary approach to trading is based on the traderโ€™s own thought processes and decision-making skills. Systematic trading uses technology to indicate the best investment strategies, using algorithms to process reams of data. Quants are essential to the systematic approach, which is gaining in popularity.However, the discretionary approach is still very common, particularly because people tend to respond more vehemently to an error made by an algorithm than to an error made by a human. As Braga observes: โ€œWe scrutinise the algos with a lot less tolerance than we scrutinise human action.โ€What does it take to be a good quant?To be successful as a quant, strong analytical skills are a must. Most professionals have advanced computer programming abilities, typically using SQL for database management and perhaps an object-oriented language such as Python or R to clean, sort, and process data.Quants usually have advanced degrees in a STEM subject, such as computer science, mathematics, or physics. A PhD in one of these subjects is common. There is also increasing popularity of financial engineering masterโ€™s degrees such as financial engineering or quantitative/mathematical finance.โ€‹Looking to hire top quant talent? Request a call back or submit a vacancy, and one of our quant talent experts will be in touch. If you're a quant professional searching for your next role, browse open roles in APAC within quantitative analytics, research & trading.

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