Portfolio Manager, Total Portfolio Design & Targets (12-month contract)

Purpose. Performance. People.

Joining CPP Investments means joining one of the world’s most admired and respected institutional investors to drive a single mandate: to deliver strong, sustainable returns for generations of Canadians.  

With a long-term horizon and global reach, we deploy capital at scale across public and private markets. Our size, stability, and disciplined investment philosophy allow us to pursue complex opportunities and build enduring partnerships worldwide. 

For our people, this means meaningful work with tangible impact, real opportunity, and collaboration with exceptional colleagues who value partnership and performance. Here, you’ll contribute to outcomes that matter alongside team members committed to excellence and shared success.

The Role

The Total Fund Management (“TFM”) department is responsible for the successful implementation of the Fund’s investment framework. These activities are focused primarily on the Strategic Portfolio, our long term vision for the intended investment portfolio composition five or more years into the future. TFM also works on the Total Fund daily investment cycle, including all the processes, systems, and data needed to structure the investment portfolio in response to the ongoing flow of cash and exposures into and out of the Fund. TFM consists of five groups: Portfolio Design, Research & Engineering; Beta, Collateral & Liquidity Management; Dynamic Portfolio Management; Trading; and Strategy & Business Management.

The Portfolio Design, Research & and Engineering (“PDRE”) group defines the strategic portfolios which enshrine key decisions including exposure, leverage, liquidity, currency targets and size of the Active Portfolio. The group develops and maintains the research, methodologies, quantitative models, analytical tools, and engineering capabilities that support strategic allocation, portfolio management, tactical asset allocation, implementation research, trading and the Office of the CIO where applicable.

We are recruiting for a 12-month contract at the Portfolio Manager level for our Total Portfolio Design & Targets (TPDT) team within PDRE. The Portfolio Manager will work closely with teams across TFM to design, evaluate, and implement robust frameworks for Total Fund exposure management. While activities are underpinned by systematic, model-driven approaches, the role also involves the application of investment judgement in the management of exposures, including the assessment and execution of adjustments and overrides where appropriate. The role will also contribute to efforts to assess complementarities across strategic and tactical horizons.

The Team

Accountabilities

• Contribute to providing recommendations to the senior management team on total portfolio targets and asset allocation.

• Maintain and enhance existing models used for portfolio construction and analysis.

• Perform ad-hoc quantitative analysis and effectively communicate findings and recommendations

• Apply programming expertise, optimization, linear algebra or numerical analysis techniques to prototype portfolio analytics and quantitative models used in top-down portfolio management. Convey new information requirements through written specifications.

• Mentor and develop experienced team members by providing guidance on advanced technical problem-solving, portfolio construction, and investment decision-making.

Qualifications

• At least 7-10 years of relevant experience in portfolio management and/or asset allocation research. Expertise across multiple asset classes, including equity, fixed income and currency, and a strong understanding of macro drivers of returns and cross-asset linkages are considered assets.

• Experience applying empirical statistical and quantitative techniques to financial and macroeconomic data. Experience with AI-assisted coding tools and the ability to leverage them effectively to enhance modeling and portfolio analysis are assets.

• Strong programming and quantitative skills; demonstrable proficiency using Python.

• Ability to quickly grasp new concepts and work in a high-performing culture, under pressure and with time-sensitive deadlines.     

• Graduate degree in Finance, Economics, Mathematics, Engineering, or a related discipline preferred.

• Effective communication skills across a broad range of stakeholders.

• Self‑motivated, organized, flexible, and adaptable to changing priorities and new challenges.

• Successful candidates must consistently exemplify CPP Investments’ guiding principles of high performance, integrity, and partnership.

You are motivated to contribute to something larger than yourself, approach complex challenges with rigor, and hold yourself to high standards in a collaborative, performance-driven environment.

We provide colleagues with cutting-edge AI tools, dedicated learning time, and practical support to help them deliver with greater impact.

Inclusion & Accessibility

CPP Investments is committed to equitable access to employment and building a workforce that reflects diverse talent and perspectives. If you require accommodation at any stage of the recruitment process, please let us know and we will work with you to meet your needs.

Attention: Protect Yourself from Fraud

CPP Investments is committed to a secure and transparent recruitment process. We will never ask candidates for payment or financial information at any stage of hiring. All legitimate opportunities are posted on our careers page, and communications will come from our applicant tracking system, Workday. 

CPP Investments may use AI tools to help screen and assess applicants by analyzing resumes and applications for relevant skills and experience. These tools support, but do not replace, human decision-making.

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