The Client Portfolio Manager serves as the primary bridge between the Investment and Distribution teams, translating complex portfolio strategies, market developments and investment outcomes into clear, compelling messages for clients, consultants and prospects. The role will work closely with Portfolio Managers and Global Distribution to support fundraising, client retention and strategic business development initiatives globally.
The employee will be contracted with CQS (UK) LLP. However, the role requires the individual to work across the CQS and Manulife Group on a global basis.
Key Responsibilities
1. Product Expertise & Strategy Development
- Act as a subject matter expert in Multi Asset Credit “MAC” and related credit strategies, including structured credit, markets, and portfolio positioning.
- Work closely with portfolio managers and analysts to distil investment philosophy, portfolio rationale, and trade-level insight into client-ready messaging.
- Contribute to the design and evolution of new products (e.g. MAC, ABF, SRT) and support go-to-market strategy across institutional and retail platforms.
- Provide market commentary, thematic insight, and thought leadership to position strategies effectively.
- Develop expert knowledge of portfolio construction, risk management frameworks and performance.
- Explain portfolio performance, market developments and investment decisions to investors, consultants and internal stakeholders.
- Conduct competitive analysis and positioning to support fundraising efforts and product development initiatives.
2. Investor Relations & Client Servicing
- Work with Global Distribution & Client Service on Investor education and relationship meetings
- Support sales effort and strategy across institutional and intermediary channels
- Lead portfolio review meetings with clients and consultants.
- Support investment due diligence meetings and consultant research reviews.
- Act as a trusted adviser to investors by providing detailed portfolio, market and performance insights.
- Manage ongoing client communications, due diligence, onboarding, operations, and tailored reporting to ensure a high-touch, “premium” client experience.
- Serve as lead point of contact for technical client inquiries, and provide regular market/trade updates aligned with portfolio team insights.
3. Business Development Support
- Partner with the sales team to identify and engage new prospects, with a focus on North American institutional growth.
- Develop and deliver high-quality marketing materials, RFP responses, investor letters, and conference presentations.
- Help identify and cultivate cornerstone investors for new product launches, and support internal sales teams
- Assist in developing sales narratives tailored to different investor segments and geographies.
- Support fundraising efforts across existing and new investment strategies.
- Identify opportunities for cross-selling and expanding relationships with existing clients.
4. Reporting, CRM, and Internal Coordination
- Coordinate closely with internal teams (sales, marketing, legal, compliance, operations, client service) to align messaging and execution.
- Lead process improvements across investor reporting, onboarding, and operational delivery.
Skills & Experience Required
- Experience as one of the following: Portfolio Manager within fixed income or alternative credit markets. Senior Credit/Alts Consultant. Bank saleside sales in Alt/structured credit
- Strong understanding of portfolio construction, risk metrics, performance attribution and relative value analysis.
- Ability to discuss both top-down macro themes and bottom-up security selection with sophisticated institutional investors.
- Excellent presentation skills with the ability to communicate complex investment concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
- CFA charter holder or CAIA, qualification preferred.
- Deep knowledge of MAC and structured credit products; able to credibly represent the strategy to sophisticated institutional investors.
- Strong content development skills with attention to detail on both strategic messaging and technical accuracy.
- Commercial mindset with the ability to support AUM growth through proactive client engagement and high-quality delivery.
When you join our team:
- We’ll empower you to learn and grow the career you want.
- We’ll recognize and support you in a flexible environment where well-being and inclusion are more than just words.
- As part of our global team, we’ll support you in shaping the future you want to see.
This posting supports ongoing hiring initiative for existing and/or future vacancies.
The role being advertised is an existing vacancy.
About Manulife and John Hancock
Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider, helping people make their decisions easier and lives better. To learn more about us, visit https://www.manulife.com/en/about/our-story.html.
Manulife is an Equal Opportunity Employer
At Manulife/John Hancock, we embrace our diversity. We strive to attract, develop and retain a workforce that is as diverse as the customers we serve and to foster an inclusive work environment that embraces the strength of cultures and individuals. We are committed to fair recruitment, retention, advancement and compensation, and we administer all of our practices and programs without discrimination on the basis of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, religion or religious beliefs, creed, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions), sexual orientation, genetic characteristics, veteran status, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, family status, disability, or any other ground protected by applicable law.
It is our priority to remove barriers to provide equal access to employment. A Human Resources representative will work with applicants who request a reasonable accommodation during the application process. All information shared during the accommodation request process will be stored and used in a manner that is consistent with applicable laws and Manulife/John Hancock policies. To request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact hr@manulife.com.
Referenced Salary Location
London, UK
Hybrid
Salary range is expected to be between
£92,475.00 GBP - £166,455.00 GBP
Employees also have the opportunity to participate in incentive programs and earn incentive compensation tied to business and individual performance. The actual salary will vary depending on local market conditions, geography and relevant job-related factors such as knowledge, skills, qualifications, experience, and education/training. If you are applying for this role outside of the primary location, please contact hr@manulife.com for the salary range for your location.
Manulife offers eligible employees a market competitive benefits package, including health, dental, short- and long-term disability, life insurance coverage, and employee/family assistance plans. We also offer eligible employees various retirement savings plans, along within generous paid time off program includes holidays, vacation, personal, and sick days.
We use data and analytics technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), and automated processing tools, to analyze and process the information you provide to us or third parties in the application process. For more information, please refer to our personal information collection statement.