Swiss Life Asset Managers is one of Switzerland's largest institutional asset managers, overseeing CHF 285bn on behalf of the Swiss LifeGroup and external clients. Its Infrastructure Equity platform, established in 2011, manages more than CHF 11 billion. The team has executed more than 50 direct investments over the past 13 years. The platform invests in core, core+ and value-add infrastructure businesses across OECD markets, with a particular focus on Europe and North America. SLAM is active across a broad set of sectors including clean energy and renewables, utilities, communications, transport and social infrastructure.
Historically, the team invested predominantly from SLAM's balance sheet, with selective third-party capital. Today the platform operates as a fully-fledged GP, managing three dedicated fund strategies (Core/Core+, Value-Add, Renewables) with a clear focus on control and co-control positions, active value creation and long-term ownership. The Value-Add Infrastructure strategy focuses on small-cap infrastructure companies (typically €100–300m EV) with strong infrastructure characteristics and clear opportunities for value creation, including buy-and-build and operational improvement.
Responsibilities
- As a pre-eminent investor in global infrastructure, SLAM is looking to hire an Asset Manager to generate sustainable added value from the portfolio, develop the asset management center of excellence within SLAM and the wider organisation, and support the development of the business generally with a focus on change and transformation. He/she will work closely with investment teams and external advisors to deliver on asset specific or portfolio wide outcomes, throughout the full investment lifecycle with a key focus on identifying and leading transformational opportunities in a variety of infrastructure, renewables and value-add businesses. Key responsibilities include:
- Develop a diverse toolkit of techniques and methodologies to diagnose, evaluate and pursue improvement within asset business plans and operations
- Implement structured processes for performance tracking, reporting, and strategic planning
- Ensure the team is equipped to “roll up the sleeves” - engaging directly with portfolio companies to drive outcomes
- Implement opportunities through the development and execution of transformation plans tied to EBITDA improvement
- Leverage internal and external resources to drive change, focusing on key revenue and cost drivers such as people, procurement, operations, support services and finance reporting
- Engage with stakeholders of a senior level to create leverage and drive change
Experience
- The successful candidate will be a proven executive with a track record of managing both commercial and operational improvement. They will possess a successful track record of excellence in asset management, and/or operational change. Ideally, the new Asset Manager will have:
- He/she will have held a senior executive, asset manager or consulting position, ideally within the infrastructure and/or private equity sector;
- Proven operational and organizational change capability, leading to the creation of significant and sustained shareholder value;
- Strong stakeholder management skills. They will possess a strong track record of developing effective collaborations and will bring credibility with boards, executive teams, shareholders, stakeholders and within SLAM. They will use that credibility and influencing skill to deliver sustainable value to SLAM across the portfolio;
- Understanding of financial principles and investing;
- Influence – a track record of delivering successful change through effective programme management;
- Evident self-motivation, with significant drive and intellectual curiosity, but low ego given the non-executive nature of the role. The candidate is expected to set their own agenda in co-operation with the Head of Asset Management, and the Head of Infrastructure International, as well as with other members of the SLAM Infrastructure team;
- Sufficient “agility”, attracted by the diversity of the role, and able to cope with multiple topics being progressed simultaneously;
- Strong people management skills, evidenced by developing effective relationships with colleagues and team members;
- Excellent communication and numeracy - this includes verbal and written skills as well as the ability to listen and to structure and disseminate complex information in a range of appropriate styles/formats;
- Demonstrably high emotional intelligence; self-aware and inclusive. The individual will be successful through example and demonstrate a consistent leadership style, setting realistic expectations that motivate and challenge the team;
- Cultural fit with the existing team
Only direct applications will be considered for this vacancy and we do not accept dossiers from recruitment agencies.
Benefits
Benefits
- 25 days of vacation per year
- discounts on SL investment products and mortgages
- contribution to 3rd pillar life insurance
- employer's contributions to the pension fund
- reka cheques and meal allowance
- discounts on public transportation (up to 35%)
- flexible working models
- various timeout models
- Service anniversaries
- training and development opportunities (inhouse AM Academy)
- physiotherapy offering
- days off for caregivers
Contact
Our Location
Zürich
Swiss Life Asset Managers
We are a leading European asset manager and institutional real estate asset manager with multiple locations in Europe.
With a strong client focus, here at Swiss Life Asset Managers, success is driven by expecting the unexpected, prioritising sustainability and inclusion, fully investing in our jobs and people, and being on the lookout for new business opportunities – all since 1857.
Swiss Life Asset Managers is a dedicated equal opportunity employer. Learn more
