Business Unit:

Job Description:

Role Summary

We are looking for a self-starter, with previous experience as an RFP investment writer, or in a commercial role, who has a passion for content writing and takes pride in their work. A good working knowledge of financial markets and the investment services industry is strongly desirable.

This is an exciting opportunity for a driven, commercially savvy writer to work closely with go-to-market (i.e., sales and client service) leaders to create compelling and competitive proposals to win business. This requires the ability to develop specialised, targeted content from scratch. The Investment Content Writer will sit within a team of writers and be accountable for all aspects of the proposal process from start to final copy, often under very tight deadlines. Key responsibilities include drafting and editing responses, gathering data from multiple sources (not all centralised), and working closely with a variety of teams.

The role requires managing multiple projects of varying degrees of complexity for Russell Investments’ Customised Portfolio Solutions business group, which provides tailored investment services to help clients manage their portfolios more effectively. This includes partnership solutions – a key growth area for our business – targeting B2B wealth relationships and large institutional clients. Further CPS capabilities including transition management, currency management, trading & execution, overlay services, completion portfolios, platform services and enhanced portfolio implementation are a further focus. The writer will also support other business areas when appropriate.

This position requires the ability to interact and influence effectively and professionally with all levels of staff across many business units throughout the firm, such as: institutional sales, strategy, investment division, client service, product, compliance, legal, risk, operations, finance, IT, and HR.

The responsibilities of the individual in this position include:

Proposal Project Management

• Independently managing the completion of proposals (including custom proposals, RFPs, RFIs, DDQs and surveys) for prospects and clients within the EMEA region. 

• Working in close collaboration with sales and client service teams and counterparts in other regions.

• Strong attention to detail and exceptional organisational skills are a must.

Content Creation

• Creating fresh and persuasive proposal content that articulates Russell Investments’ value proposition and competitive advantage.

• Building knowledge across Russell Investments’ products and services, particularly Client Portfolio Solutions.

• Leveraging standard answers from our global database Qvidian and then tailoring for bespoke mandates, identifying where new content is required.

• Strong written English and application of English grammar is essential.

Relationship Management

• Interviewing and liaising with internal subject knowledge experts (investment professionals, product specialists, finance, compliance, risk, legal, marketing, etc.) in support of the above.

• Re-writing/editing responses received from the various stakeholders listed above when needed.

• Coordinating multiple projects.

• Organising and influencing others to keep projects on track

Regulatory & Business conduct

• Displaying exemplary conduct and living by our organisation’s Code of Conduct.

• Taking personal responsibility for embedding the highest standards of ethics, including regulatory and business conduct across the business.

• Effectively and collaboratively identifying, escalating, mitigating and resolving risk, conduct and compliance.

The successful candidate will have extensive demonstrable skills and experiences including the following:

• BSc/BA English, Maths / Economics, Marketing or equivalent qualification / experience.

• Experience as an Investment/RFP Writer within asset management or in a commercial role within the financial services industry essential.

• An understanding of the asset management and UK Pension Fund industry required.

• Investment Management Certificate or CFA Foundations course preferred.

• Knowledge of financial concepts and investments a plus.

• Flexible and able to adapt own goals and behavior to changing project objectives.

• Resilient under pressure; maintains effective performance and a positive outlook.

• Accuracy and attention to detail is a must (e.g., financial figures such as AUM and performance, and grammar, punctuation, spelling).

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Promotes and facilitates the work of the CPS and Investment Content Writing team and contributes as a productive member of the team, sharing responsibility and ideas.

• Able to work collaboratively across departments, using a variety of approaches to gain cooperation, overcome barriers, or gain agreement for proposals and ideas.

• Ability to prioritise projects with competing deadlines.

• Effectively plans, implements and controls proposals that involve multiple resources.

• Proficient user of entire Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams) and Adobe Acrobat.

• Knowledge of Qvidian database a plus.