Investment Analyst - Fixed Income and Alternative Assets

Overview

Empire Life is recruiting for an Investment Analyst to become part of the Fixed Income team based in Toronto, with a hybrid work arrangement. The role supports the active management of various fixed income portfolios covering institutional and retail mandates, with a prime focus on Canadian investment grade, government credit, and interest rate instruments. The team invests across diverse asset classes including public bonds, private debt, commercial mortgages, preferred shares, money market instruments, and external alternative funds. The analyst works under senior supervision, adhering to defined objectives.

Responsibilities

• Gather and evaluate industry, company, and economic data from multiple sources such as online platforms, institutional and credit agency research, corporate disclosures, and investor presentations.
• Review and interpret financial reports including annual and quarterly filings to assess company performance.
• Support asset selection by analyzing individual investments and their expected contribution to portfolio outcomes.
• Contribute to investment recommendations and documentation to be shared internally.
• Coordinate transaction settlements collaboratively with the Investment Administration team.
• Assist in managing fixed income holdings, which include bonds, preferred shares, and money market securities.
• Monitor adherence to loan covenants and verify the internal credit ratings of issuers through periodic financial and covenant compliance reviews.
• Develop and maintain screening tools using platforms like Bloomberg to source potential investment opportunities.
• Create and update detailed spreadsheet models for valuation and ongoing monitoring purposes.
• Maintain portfolio data records covering exposures, company specifics, and valuation parameters.
• Help prepare portfolio performance reports and engage actively in strategic team discussions.
• Perform additional tasks as assigned.

Qualifications

• Between one and three years of fixed income analysis experience, including public bonds, private debt placements, commercial mortgages, and alternative funds, ideally gained within banking, insurance, capital markets, or investment management environments.
• Strong understanding of credit principles, capital markets, and a curiosity to explore complex financial topics.
• Ability to communicate intricate concepts clearly both verbally and in writing.
• University degree with relevant coursework in finance, economics, mathematics, statistics, or quantitative methods.
• Progress towards or completion of the CFA designation preferred.
• Strong numerical and analytical capabilities.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel with VBA; familiarity with Word and PowerPoint; Python programming knowledge is an asset.
• Experience using Bloomberg terminal desirable.
• Strong skills in financial modelling and research.
• Exceptional attention to detail and accurate execution.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively under deadlines.
• Fluency in English required to communicate across Canada.

Additional Information

Empire Life fosters a diverse and inclusive work environment welcoming candidates of all backgrounds and experiences. Accommodations are provided for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process upon request.

Compensation and Benefits

• Competitive salary with annual reviews and potential increases.
• Annual bonus program recognizing company and individual performance for non-sales roles.
• Sales roles feature competitive uncapped commissions.
• Comprehensive employer-covered benefits starting from day one, including life insurance, disability, health and dental plans, plus a health spending account.
• Flexible work options and personal health days.
• Four weeks of vacation annually from the date of hire.
• Generous employer matching defined contribution pension plan.
• Parental and compassionate leave top-up programs.
• Employee wellness initiatives and recognition schemes.
• Monetary referral incentives for employee referrals.